I found idea expressed by Raymond Carve about “commonplace but precise language” very double sided. In my understanding Carve wants writers to use simple language. On one hand it makes sense – ESL students and people around the world would easier understand the story. But it would be too simple and boring to read for people who speak English fluently. On the other hand, literature supposed to be beautiful and deep. I personally do not think writer can show depth by using commonplace but precise language. Literature is an art. I found Salvation by Langston Hughes kind of as commonplace, I think it might be because the story is told by a 13-year-old boy. “I was saved from sin when I was going on thirteen. But not really saved. It happened like this” (Hughes). So here we can see the language is very commonplace. It is easy to read, but it has irony in the story. This is like cherry on the top. Simple language could be good as long as it has some spice to it lol
Week 13 Discussion
Reading the short article by Raymond Carver, I found it very interesting how writing takes different forms. For instance, being creative in the writing or how it is written.“Thats all we have, finally, the words, and they had better be the right ones, with the punctuation in the right places so that they had better be the right ones so that they can best say what they are meant to say.” (Raymond Carver) In this part of the writing, he is telling us that being a writer needs to be very well written, plus with punctuation. He was thoughtful when talking about the writing. He sounds like a very smart person, the way he talks about wiring. That’s why I chose this quote, he details how a well-written piece is supposed to be. I would agree with this part for a writing for a reader to be drawn, many small, detailed grammatical or punctuation need to be added.
“It’s possible, in a poem or short story, to write about commonplace things and objects using commonplace but precise language, and to endow those things—a chair, a window curtain, a fork, a stone, a woman’s earring—with immense, even startling power.” Apply this idea expressed by Raymond Carver in the Activity 1 reading to a story or poem we have read in this course (not a work by Carver). Include a quote from the story or poem that strikes you as “commonplace but precise language.” Please do not include any discussion of Carver’s life or work and its themes. This should be a completely personal response. Academic discussions will not be credited. Also, please avoid repeating what another student has said. To submit your Week 13 post, follow the steps below. 1. Scroll up to the black strip at the top of the screen and click the black “plus” sign inside the white circle. It is located to the right of the course title. 2. In the box that reads “Add title,” type in a title that includes your first name, last name, and the words “Discussion 13” (example: John Hart Discussion 13). 3. Type your response in the text box. Remember that your first post must be at least 150 words in order to receive full credit. 4. Navigate to the right side of the screen and choose the Post Category “Week 13 Discussion” (or whichever week is current). Never choose anything in the box that reads “Category Sticky.” Click for screenshot. 5. To add media (optional), click the “add media“ button in between the title box and the text box. Do not add the image directly to the media library. To get the image to show in the tile preview, go to “featured image > add featured image, […]
