Paul Roberts’ advice on how to write was uniquely informative. The title for his writing passage was “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”, yet in his entire essay it explained how to say something in 500 words. The misleading title is just one of the many ways Paul Roberts uses to create an original diverse essay.
Although Paul Roberts’ essay was written over 50 years ago, it still holds relevance in present day. We all as writers tend to go for the subjects we know best about, or find easiest to write about. Robert’s on the other hand challenges us to go outside of our comfort zone, and write about something no one else will write about, and go against all odds. I personally, am a fond believer in strength in numbers, so I believe in strength in knowledge also. So, writing about a subject I find the hardest and know the least knowledge about is like going all in, in a poker match even though my cards aren’t the strongest. I might come out with a fantastic essay or a big win, but I also might have a disaster of an essay because I’m taking such a big risk and lose all my chips.
Roberts then goes on and talks about getting “rid of obvious padding” and “call a fool a fool”. As a student I truthfully find myself trying to “stuff” up my sentences on occasion, and trying to find friendly ways to state harsh topics. Roberts instead tells us to make our writings “lean and tough”. Roberts is telling us to not use performance drugs like steroids on our writings to “stuff” up our sentences, but instead use healthy alternatives like protein in our writing to “illustrate” and “prove” our point. Also, Robert’s is telling us to be direct and blunt in our writings, and not to be afraid and sweet about the topic.
Finally, Roberts goes to talk about “colorful words”, “colored words”, and “colorless words”. Roberts tells us to not only paint a picture for the reader, but to also make our words speak to the reader with emotion. Roberts also tells us not to use “colorless” words that portray little or no meaning and effect.
Overall I found Paul Roberts’ essay on “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”, revealing and quite educating. His portrayal of football students was an accurate assumption, as I used to be in marching band and found myself countless times struggling to study for a test after a late Thursday night football game. Roberts’ depiction of teachers was also most likely accurate. Teachers probably get tired of reading the same old cliché essays 100 plus times, and would like an interesting, diverse, and out of the park essay. Most of all, what Roberts wanted us to take from this is how to write in unique way, choose a compelling topic, and then word count will take care of itself.
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