"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
I couldn't agree with this more. Once you get that perfect first sentence, you don't have to try to get your point across through your other sentences. That first sentence already lays out your entire paper for you;however, this "perfect" sentence, is always really difficult to come up with. Personally, I struggle a lot, and then I try to get my point across in the next few sentences, but that just causes me to confuse myself and my audience.
In psychology class, we discovered the basics of language: semantics and syntax. Stanley Fish's creative thesis helped enhance my appreciation for this seemingly simple idea.
The most important idea that struck me about writing this year is that simplicity is key. No longer do teachers positively bias longer papers, nor praise lengthy introductions. Content-not word-count- is what counts.
Syntax is an underappreciated mode of communication. If we all spoke Gibberish, where would the world be? Could we share inventions, ideas, or secrets? Could we write that love letter or emphasize that will? Life would be very different without sentences.
I've always had this odd awe with beautifully-crafted sentences. So, the fact that I searched "Best Sentences Ever" on Google should not surprise you. What I found was not just the work of great authors, but also sentences that struck common people at varying times. "I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box" is an example of this spontaneous genius. Great things just happen.
Monika, I agree with you in that coming up with that first sentence isn't easy. I must add that once you do get it, (usually through insight for me) the rewards are priceless. A great first sentences is an unconditioned stimulus to a great essay. Please excuse my abundunce of psychology terms. I'm studying for the AP exam with syntax. ;)
"You begin with a feel for the nitty-gritty material of the medium, paint in one case, sentences in the other."
I completely agree with this. When you write you need to start somewhere. You start with a start and you write it down down in a sentence. After that one sentence you can read anything else. I know when I write I can get a barnstorm just from one sentence. With that one sentence a million more can follow it.
I agree with Monika that with that one just right sentence you can come up with your whole entire paper. When you get that one sentence that's just right so many more can follow. It's exactly how i feel when I write. If I can just get one sentence that sums up my thoughts perfectly I can flow into the rest of paper just right with so much ease.
"The most important idea that struck me about writing this year is that simplicity is key."
Sherry, I couldn't agree with you more. Whenever I write a paper, I always end up confusing my audience with too many thoughts. Then when I go to revise my paper, I start from scratch and get ride of all the "extra" information. I just go straight to the point. I don't understand why I always feel as though I need to add that extra sentence for explanation. My revisions do so much better than my first paper without them. I learned that I need to stick to simplicity.
"And always the admiration is rueful recognition that you couldn't do it yourself eventhough you also have two hands and feet. It is the same with sentences that do things the language you use every day would not have seemed capable of doing. We marvel at them; we read them aloud to our friends and spouses, even, occasionally to passerby;we analyze them;we lament our inability to match them." This sentence caught my attention because I can relate. I too admire sentences especially when they are great sentences. I also could relate to when I see an amazing sentence and saying to myself "how come I didn't think of that?" When I write, or even just thinking, I try to make a sentence that is great enough to tell the world.
I agree with Mary M. that when we first write that we need to start with something small. Then, that tiny thing will grow into a thousand more tiny things.
"'When you write you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow.'"
This quote stuck out to me because of the imagery that it used. It gives the reader a clear picture of what a line of words is supposed to do, and how in the end the reader comes out with a sentence. I think i will start using this idea when i write and see if it makes it more interesting for me.
I have to agree with Charis, for instance, when ms. Hettinger picks a good essay to read to the class, I can't help thinking, why didn't i do that? It makes me feel very small and insignificant.
“Before the words slide into their slots, they are just discrete items, pointing everywhere and nowhere. Once the words are nestled in the places “ordained” for them -”ordained” is a wonderful word that points to the inexorable logic of syntactic structures -they are tied by ligatures of relationships to one another.”
I am normally not one to appreciate sentence structures. I found, however, that the more I read How to Write a Sentence, by Stanley Fish, the more I paid attention to the word choice and syntax of each sentence. This passage personifies words and describes them “sliding” into their slots and “pointing everywhere and nowhere,” and it creates an image of a word literally sliding into a slot in a sentence. When I finished reading “Why Sentences?” I realized that the author made me take the time to taste his sentences -to almost think of words as living, breathing things. Furthermore, this passage is all-too-true. Words have a minimal effect compared to coherent sentences. Mash a handful of words together and you get gibberish; syntax is what makes a sentence, a sentence.
Response to Sheryl: I agree completely because up until SOHO, I’ve written essays just to answer the prompt. This year, however, I’ve been focusing on creating concisely and with a purpose. Sure, Pip has changed in Part 1 of the novel, but so what? With this question in mind, I can write three pages, easy; but with a page limit, it requires me to focus on what’s necessary and to write simply. When I go back to my Freshman year essays, I can see all the “fluff” I’ve put, just to fill the requirements. It’s a pretty good feeling to know my writing isn’t like that anymore.
The one thing that I agree with in "Why Sentences?" by Stanley Fish is that a simple sentence can be more powerful then a complicated sentence. This is because at times a simple sentence can say more in regular words, than a complicated sentence can say in complex vocabulary. The whole point of each sentence in an essay is to get the idea of the writer accross to the reader. Whether that be in simple or complex vocabulary.
I also agree with Monika on that the first sentence of an essay is very important, because it establishes your entire essay in a way. Whether that be in a positive or negative way. It also gives the reader an idea of whether or not they want to read the essay any further.
"'When you write you lay out a line of words.The line of words is a miner's pick, a wood carver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow.' And when you come to the end of the path you have a sentence."
I really like the imagery and metaphors in this quote. You want a sentence that draws the readers in and makes them want more. The hardest part is digging for that perfect sentence and once you have got it, everything else falls into place. - Selma
In response to Monika: I also agree that just getting the first sentence right makes writing the rest of your paper a lot easier, but it is hard to come up with that sentence. That's why writing your paper the night before isn't the best idea because it doesn't give you time to really write a few good sentences.
" I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box. What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw the readers in and make them want more."
Our goals as writers is to do exactly what Steven Fish said, we are supposed to draw the readers in right away with one or maybe two good sentences. I think every writer struggles and strive to do this no matter how many books they've written. But to me a good writer just doesn't settle with the sentences they first wrote, they go back and fix some of their sentences until they are as "noteworthy" as the one written above.
"But wouldn't the equivalent of paint be words rather than sentences? Actually, no, because while you can brush and even drip paint on a canvas and make something interesting happen, just piling up words, one after the other, won't do much of anything until something else has been added."
This passage from Stanley Fish's "How to Write a Sentence" stood out to me because it truthfully states what a sentence has to have. Sentences have to have hold meaning, and convey what the writer wants to say. For example, an introductory sentence has to present the topic being discussed and draw the reader in. Chunking together large, complex words doesn't mean the sentence is well written. Without proper syntax, every sentence is meaningless, and without meaning, a sentence is therefore worthless, which is why I agree with Sheryl(response to Sheryl. Sentences need syntax to hold meaning. If there is no meaning in what we write and say, all of it is basically worthless. We can't live in a world where everything trying to be said is in complete gibberish.
Ironically, I think that I've just written a bunch of meaningless sentences(too much repetition).
"So it is with writing: the practice of analyzing and imitating sentences is also the practice of learning how to read them with an informed appreciation."
I couldn't help but agree with this quote. Without our ability to analyze and understand what were reading, how can we fully appreciate good writers? You need to understand the information a writer is trying to convey to you.
I agree with Jawairia, in hte sense that not all sentences must be complex. Many authors use simple sentences to describe a variety of things. They want you to understand them, not look up confusing words.
"A good sentence can turn up in the middle of a movie where it shines for an instant and then recedes as the plot advsnces."
I liked this sentence from Stanley Fish's passage because I agree. You can find a great sentence that really shiney and conveys what's been said. I also think that you can find great sentences like this in music. Lyris has SOO many great sentences (well it's basically poetry). But in a way, i'm kind of surprised that Staley Fish didn't mention lrics in this passage. I think you can find some of the greatest sentences in songs. Sentenes that tell the story of a whole life. I think they're great.
In responce to Theo: I agree because for a sentence to be a sentence it has to have meaning. We write so many pointless and worthless sentences that don't really mean much. The're kind of just fillers in our pages.
"You begin with a feel for the nitty-gritty material of the medium, paint in one case, sentences in the other."
In other words, this sentence is saying if you don't like what you work with you shouldn't be working with it. If you don't like the smell of paint, don't be a painter, and if you don't like sentences, don't be a writer. While this quote doesn't say much about why one should use sentences, it does say something about a persons future and that they should strive to do something they enjoy doing.
In response to Monika I agree, that first sentence is a key spot in a good paper or story. I also agree that it is really hard to come up with that "perfect" sentence. Some writers can take years to find the write words and sentence structure to start their piece of writing. We are given maybe a few weeks so sometimes you don't get that sentence perfect and have to use the following few sentences to get a point across.
"A good sentence can turn up in the middle of a movie where it shines for an instant and then recedes as the plot advances."
The best movies always have the best quotes. Like Stanley Fish said, even one good sentence in the middle of a movie can leave a lasting memory in the minds of the audience. A movie quote that always seems to stick in my head is "Why so serious?" from the movie The Dark Knight. In my mind, this short, simple question was one the greatest moments in the movie. The way the question revealed so much about the Joker's personality and the quotes ability to stick in my mind really makes the quote a great sentence.
In response to Monika: I completely agree with the idea that writing a "perfect" first sentence is all it takes to get your writing going, even though coming up with that first sentence is one of the hardest parts of writing.
"Even children can produce a good sentence. My mother-in-law, Lucille Reilly Parry, was a grade-school teacher and she recalled a day when a large box was delivered to the school. No one knew where it had come from or what it was, and she gave her fourth-grade students the assignment of writing something about it. One student began her essay with this sentence:
I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box.
What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw readers in and make them want more."
This passage speaks to me about the importance of sentences because it shows me that even a fourth grader can compose a good sentence. It doesn't take much to put together a sentence. It also shows me that a good sentence attracts people into reading your piece. Sentences are important because they are the foundation of the piece that you are going to write. Whether you use only one sentence to get a message across or whether you use multiple sentences.
I also agree on the fact that great sentences are not only found in books, but in movies and song lyrics also. The fact that a sentence is not in a book does not mean that 'it sucks', in certain cases song lyrics and movie quotes actually pertain to your life a lot more than sentences in books. A sentence is a sentence, doesn't matter where it's used.
"'When you write you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow.'"
This sentence provides a great metaphor for the process of writing. To build on the mining example, it isn't always straight forward where one should mine. Rough spots will be hit and you will go home empty handed every so often, but once you have finished, you have dug a beautiful cave system that guides the reader and (if done skillfully) gives the reader some room for exploration as well.
In response to Vera: While I do agree with you about lyrics containing some great sentences, I think that's why he didn't mention them. Songs are supposed to be poetic. Movies (from my experience) tend not to, which is why he felt the need to point that out.
''In her book The Writing Life (1989), Annie Dillard tells the story of a fellow writer who was asked by a student, "Do you think I could be a writer?" " 'Well,' the writer said, 'do you like sentences?' " The student is surprised by the question, but Dillard knows exactly what was meant. He was being told, she explains, that "if he liked sentences he could begin," and she remembers a similar conversation with a painter friend. "I asked him how he came to be a painter. He said, 'I like the smell of paint.'
I really enjoyed reading ''Why Sentences?''. When I first read this quote, I thought that these few sentences were the philosophy to how we succeed in doing the things we enjoy doing. Just like how the painter liked the smell of paint, or how if you really wanted to become a writer, you have to like sentences. These are just the basic building blocks that you have to accept and go through in order to become a master at what you do best. With that being said, in order to produce a great piece and truly become a writer, you have to write a good sentence, but a sentence with all your passion and emotion.
In response to Sabrina:
I agree with Sabrina that even a fourth grader can compose a good sentence.I think that that is really true and it's pretty straightforward. If you have the knowledge and the skills to produce a good sentence,then you can utilize it no matter what the age is.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
I agree with this a lot. I also agree with Monika's post. The first sentence really does lay out the entire paper for you. Coming up with the first sentence is always the hardest part for me, but once I write it, everything else follows. The rest of the essay usually comes easy once I get the first sentence down.
"How to Write a Sentence" really showed me how the deeper you dig into something that looks simple makes it more complex. Some sentences have a certain ring to them that sets off an alarm in my head. In sentences using specific words, you can anticipate the rest. Anyone can write, think, or read a good sentence. Most good sentences have a simple structure, but the meaning is buried deeper than the literal meaning of the group of words. One sentence can lead the way to a whole story, and that story can become the inspiration for many more.
In agreement with Sabrina: Sentences truly are the foundation of any literary piece. If the sentences aren't strong, the entire piece would crumble. Having a solid foundation (in this case good sentences) can make a huge difference when you build on top of it.
"I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box. What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw the readers in and make them want more."
This shows that a sentence does not have to be overly wordy to catch someone's eye. A sentence can be short as long as it makes the reader interested in what is to come. The vagueness of the sentence about the box makes it intriguing so you want to read more. If this sentence was much longer, it would not make as much of an impact even if was getting the same point across.
I also agree with Monika. The first sentence is the important because it shows the reader what is to come in the essay. If it is interesting, the reader will probably be interested in the rest of the essay.
"My wife is a serious painter. When she and I go to a gallery we might both be impressed by the same painting, but she will be able to tell me, in analytical detail, what makes it impressive, how the painter did it."
When my friends and I listen to music together a similar situation occurs. This is because I surround myself with music all the time, and because I write music I know some tricks to it and such.
In respose to Vasil Pendavinji:
I agree with you that writing must be done skillfully and should give the reader a place to explore. However, I don't know where you get off saying that cave systems are beautiful, that's a really queer metaphor.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
This is completely true. The first sentence is the set-up for your whole paragraph, or even for your whole paper. Sometimes the first sentence can be the hardest to write. I tend to over analyze it and put WAY too much thought into it. The quote even states to 'get the first sentence right', key word being right. Once I can string together the perfect words, everything else just flows out.
I agree with Sabrina about the importance of hooking a reader's attention with a sentence. Its true that in fourth grade our English teachers told us about having to write a 'hook sentence' to make our writing seem interesting. I think that its almost like advertisement. No one is going to be interested in a long and boring sentence that you have to analyze to discover the point. A reader wants something interesting, short, and to the point.
"Almost anyone can read with pleasure the sentence in which John Updike tells us what it was like to see Ted Williams- the Kid, the Splendid Splinter- hit a home run in his last at bat in Fenway Park on September 28, 1960: It was in the books while it was still in the sky.
But it takes a little bit more to talk precisely about what makes the sentence so effective."
This part of the reading stands out to me because, at first glance, the sentence stated by Updike makes no sense whatsoever. However, after a great deal of analyses, the reader can derive the meaning. I find it interesting how writers can put so much meaning into a single sentence. This is something that, perhaps, in the future, would be a magnificent skill to develop.
In response to Bill: I think your examination of the metaphor of the line of words as a mine pick was superb. I agree with you that a sentence takes time to create, a good one, at that. However, with time, you will have created a wonderful sentence. - Alex Studer
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
As a lot of other people posted on here, i couldn't agree with this more. My biggest issue is coming up with a good way to start an essay. During my first draft i could stare at my paper for 2 hours and not come up with a good opening sentence. However, i have learned that once i get that perfect sentence the rest of my essay becomes so simple to write. My opening paragraph takes easily three times longer to write than the rest of my essay combined. The opening sentence is the most important thing about an essay as well. If you dont put into words what you are trying to say how can you write an entire essay about it?
In response to Lily, that's exactly why it takes me so long to write a first sentence. Sentences aren't always going to come naturally and for those of us who aren't gifted in writing opening sentences (MONIKA. just kidding) it takes quite a bit longer to get your essay to sound just right.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
Whenever i have a bad or weird first sentence of my intro or lead paragragh i find it very difficult to continue writing. I usally need to rewrite a new first sentence that fits with me. Then all the words start flowing.
I agree with Felicia, syntax makes sentences come alive
"A good sentence can turn up in the middle of a movie where it shines for an instant and then recedes as the plot advances."
This quote really stuck out to me because movies are kind of my thing. The simplest quotes from movies are the ones that are remembered most. For example, "I'm an excellent driver" from Rain Man is very well known. Although this line isn't particularly pertinent to the main storyline, it sticks out and is repeated a lot. The sentence needs to be accompanied by good scenery and context to. "I'll see you soon, then" from Dear John only means more because of how they say it. This sentence could be loosely thrown around, but because of what we know about their relationship, it means more than that.
In response to Divs:
We would pick the same quote. It's probably because all we do is watch movies! But I agree with you because we make the same point!! The greatest movies of all time wouldn't be as great without the quotes we always pick from them. (Zoolander, 10 Things I Hate about You, Source Code)
"But wouldn't the equivalent of paint be words rather than sentences? Actually, no, because while you can brush and even drip paint on a canvas and make something interesting happen, just piling up words, one after the other, won't do much of anything until something else has been added."
This quote stood out to me because you can't just add a bunch of big or useless words in a sentence to make it interesting, but you must have good meaning behind those words. When it comes to painting, you can piece together random things and create a great piece of art. That doesn't happen with sentences because you have to piece the correct words together to create an interesting and meaningful sentence.
In response to george:
I agree that the first sentence is very important. It usually lets you in on what the paper is going to be about and from there the rest of the paper can follow.
I really enjoyed reading this chapter from Stanley Fish's book, because I like the words he chooses to express his opinions. One part of the chapter that stuck out to me was his comparison of sentences and sports. Fish explains that many people get really into professional games, and know the most important plays that have been made by their favorite athlete. They will watch a game, and let the environment take over their emotions. However, reading a book does not usually have the same affect on people, when it should. He says, "I am always on the lookout for sentences that take your breath away, for sentences that make you say '"Isn't that something?"' or '"What a sentence!"' If we were to all be on the lookout that Stanley Fish is always on, we would benefit so much more from reading than we already do, because we would be enjoying the time spent on it.
In response to Divya and Alison: I agree that good movies always come with good quotes. I love the example you used about the Joker,since it is completely true. Even though it is not a line from a book, it can still have a lasting impression, like you said, because it sticks out and makes you think.
"The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow."
I kind of base my life off of this quote. When I write, or indeed when I do most things in my life, I usually have a direction I want to lead my actions in, but I don't usually have it specifically planned to the letter. I just let my "impulses" guide my actions, for lack of a better word. It's really not something as basic as that, it's more of just writing a collection of thoughts that I have in the order I think of them. Then I move things around to make a clear sentence or arguement or essay or whatever. The same with music, I have an idea I want to convey but I let the music guide all of the nuances, rather than planning everything out.
In response to Shelby (and everyone else who wrote about the quote concerning the first sentence): I do the same thing in my essays. I labor over the first paragraph, but the rest comes extremely easy after that. And while writing my essay, I always look back to my introduction regarding the structure of the essay.
"But wouldn't the equivalent of paint be words rather than sentences? Actually, no, because while you can brush and even drip paint on a canvas and make something interesting happen, just piling up words, one after the other, won't do much of anything until something else has been added."
I can intensely agree with this quote by Stanley Fish. There must be some sort of meaning and thought added to a sentence to make it important and to make it stand out. Meaningless, wordy sentences are what bog down someone's writing and just make it look like they're trying too hard.
In response to George: The first sentence is one of the most important aspects of a piece of writing. I can agree that is difficult to continue on with a strong paper after an odd opening sentence has been written.
I agree that sentences need to make sense in order for them to work properly. improper vocab can ruin a sentence, and the whole paragraph in some cases
"No one knew where it had come from or what it was, and she gave her fourth-grade students the assignment of writing something about it. One student began her essay with this sentence: I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box. What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw readers in and make them want more."
This sentence certainly drew me in. It was so clever of this fourth grader to pick a different perspective of what to write about this box. I would expect fourth graders to write a sentence that sounded like this: "The box's owner is unknown." Or "The box is big, black, and mysterious." However, the way this sentence was written gives the different angle of the situation.
And to think it was thought up by a fourth grader.
In response to Nick M: I really liked this quote, and I liked how you related it to your personal interest, music. I criticize/critique music all the time, too, especially live performances. But it's fun to if the person you are with is willing to listen to your input of the music.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
I really do believe this quote, because I can relate to it. The first sentence in an essay tend to lead the way for the rest of them. So if the first is bad, the rest will be too. Meow.
Marc Coss
And in response to Alex, I agree that sentences do need to make sense, otherwise reading is a pain.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
I agree with this sentence so much because I always work the hardest on my thesis. I try to make it perfect because its the first thing my teacher will read when she grades my paper and it sets up what the whole essay is about. Also in books, if the first sentence is really grabbing, it makes you want to read the book even more. If it was a boring first few sentences, i would have no interest in reading that book.
And in response to Felicia "this passage personifies words and describes them “sliding” into their slots and “pointing everywhere and nowhere,” and it creates an image of a word literally sliding into a slot in a sentence." I remember reading this line and then picturing it in my head that every word was jumping into place and then I got distracted and my mind kept going back to the working words.
I don't agree with Monika that just because the first sentence is perfect that the rest will be great. Most of the time it is easier to come up with a great sentence than a great paragraph or essay because you can summarize your thoughts instead of providing a full layout of your ideas.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
This sentence stood out to me, because it is so true. The first sentence sets everything in an essay and is very important.
Getting the first sentence right is very hard for me, and often times it takes me at least an hour to think of the perfect sentence to start off my essay.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
I agree completely with this quote. Coming up with the first sentence is the hardest part for me. Once I get that first sentence down, everything else just starts to flow. It's difficult to come up with a good first sentence that will instantly attract your readers, but once that is done, the essay becomes much easier to right. That first sentence sets the tone for your essay.
In response to Chealsea
I also agree that just adding a lot of big words doesn't make the writing good. You need more than just big, lengthy sentences to make a paper interesting.
I hate being pessimistic, but maybe this is why i will never be a writer. Between 6th and 7th grade i somewhat entertained the notion or being a writer, I had grand schemes for stories and novels, but I never really loved organizing paragraphs and sentences. By Frshman year I had totally banished the idea in exchange for aspiring to be an engineer. Towards this I dont know what the final product will be, but I am drawn to the idea of making things work. Lesson Learned: IF you already know exactly what you want to do, its probably not what you are going to end up doing, but if there is something small that you enjoy doing, then figure out how to apply it logicaly and you will have found a much more suitable proffesion for yourself.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
I agree with this statement. Be it an essay, a poem, or a novel, one has to start their writing somewhere, and that very first sentence really has to catch the reader's attention and make them want to read more. There are a variety of ways to go about doing this. One can simply write a succinct, but interesting sentence that is profound in its terseness; for example, "I was eleven years old when the meteor struck my house." An alternate way of beginning a piece of writing could be a detailed, but captivating account of something. For example, "Jenna lay in the meadow, staring up at the vast night sky and nibbling on an oatmeal-raisin cookie, warm from her grandmother's oven." However a writer decides to open up their piece, that first sentence can't be a boring or the readers will be snoring.
In response to Chelsea, while I concur with the idea that a random slew of words does not form a coherent sentence, I do believe that there is some value in piling on words; Dickens does it all the time, and just look how cherished his writing is.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
this quote stood out to me because this is something that i struggle with in my writing. In almost every paper I write, i tend to overlook the first sentence because I can never come up with the right wording and i just want to jump into the paper and start spewing ideas. But I think that it is important and in my best interest to start spending more time in creating a strong opening sentence. This sets the mood for the rest of the paper and is a vital part of making an argument interesting.
in response to Chelsea, I agree in the sense that words cannot just be jumbled together in hopes of sounding smart. In other words, there is no use in adding a bunch of large words if they don't support the purpose of a deeper meaning and strengthen a sentence.
Although Fish gives very good examples of strong, skilled sentences, the one part that stuck out to me was this:
"The closest analogy, i think, is to sports highlights; you know, the five greatest dunks, the ten greatest catches, or the fifteen greatest touchdown runbacks. The response is always 'Wasn't that amazing?' or 'Can you believe it?' or 'I can't for the life of me see how he did that,' or 'What an incredible move!' or 'That's not humanly possible.' And always the admiration is a rueful recognition that you couldn't do it yourself even though you have two hands and feet."
I really liked this entire passage because I could actually understand the point Fish was trying to get across, although I had never really considered strong sentences in the same way i watch sport highlights. I understand that Fish loves sentences, but upon reading this, i couldn't really help but think, this guy is pretty dorky. I mean, when i read a really good book and at the end of a chapter there is a strong sentence forming a fantastic cliffhanger, i don't verbally proclaim "Can you believe it?" or "That's not humanly possible." I may, AT MOST, gasp a little to myself, but I've never been so blown away from a single sentence that I have to shout it out. I understand the "rueful recognition" part, since when i read a good book and watch an amazing sports clip, in both cases i think to myself "Man, why can't i do that?" It's simply human to strive to be what you aren't and envy those who can do what you can't.
In response to Marc Coss:
I also really agree with Fish's statement. The hardest part, at least for me, when writing an essay is the introduction. Once i feel like i have a powerful opening sentence and a complete thesis, the rest of the essay is a breeze. It's just that finding the words to form those initial words is always so hard, since finding a point to originate from is like playing "Pin the tail on the Donkey," one goes in blindly, and only hopes they got it right on.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with this more. Once you get that perfect first sentence, you don't have to try to get your point across through your other sentences. That first sentence already lays out your entire paper for you;however, this "perfect" sentence, is always really difficult to come up with. Personally, I struggle a lot, and then I try to get my point across in the next few sentences, but that just causes me to confuse myself and my audience.
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ReplyDeleteIn psychology class, we discovered the basics of language: semantics and syntax. Stanley Fish's creative thesis helped enhance my appreciation for this seemingly simple idea.
ReplyDeleteThe most important idea that struck me about writing this year is that simplicity is key. No longer do teachers positively bias longer papers, nor praise lengthy introductions. Content-not word-count- is what counts.
Syntax is an underappreciated mode of communication. If we all spoke Gibberish, where would the world be? Could we share inventions, ideas, or secrets? Could we write that love letter or emphasize that will? Life would be very different without sentences.
I've always had this odd awe with beautifully-crafted sentences. So, the fact that I searched "Best Sentences Ever" on Google should not surprise you. What I found was not just the work of great authors, but also sentences that struck common people at varying times. "I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box" is an example of this spontaneous genius. Great things just happen.
Monika, I agree with you in that coming up with that first sentence isn't easy. I must add that once you do get it, (usually through insight for me) the rewards are priceless. A great first sentences is an unconditioned stimulus to a great essay. Please excuse my abundunce of psychology terms. I'm studying for the AP exam with syntax. ;)
"You begin with a feel for the nitty-gritty material of the medium, paint in one case, sentences in the other."
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with this. When you write you need to start somewhere. You start with a start and you write it down down in a sentence. After that one sentence you can read anything else. I know when I write I can get a barnstorm just from one sentence. With that one sentence a million more can follow it.
In Response to Monika:
ReplyDeleteI agree with Monika that with that one just right sentence you can come up with your whole entire paper. When you get that one sentence that's just right so many more can follow. It's exactly how i feel when I write. If I can just get one sentence that sums up my thoughts perfectly I can flow into the rest of paper just right with so much ease.
"The most important idea that struck me about writing this year is that simplicity is key."
ReplyDeleteSherry, I couldn't agree with you more. Whenever I write a paper, I always end up confusing my audience with too many thoughts. Then when I go to revise my paper, I start from scratch and get ride of all the "extra" information. I just go straight to the point. I don't understand why I always feel as though I need to add that extra sentence for explanation. My revisions do so much better than my first paper without them. I learned that I need to stick to simplicity.
"And always the admiration is rueful recognition that you couldn't do it yourself eventhough you also have two hands and feet. It is the same with sentences that do things the language you use every day would not have seemed capable of doing. We marvel at them; we read them aloud to our friends and spouses, even, occasionally to passerby;we analyze them;we lament our inability to match them."
ReplyDeleteThis sentence caught my attention because I can relate. I too admire sentences especially when they are great sentences. I also could relate to when I see an amazing sentence and saying to myself "how come I didn't think of that?" When I write, or even just thinking, I try to make a sentence that is great enough to tell the world.
I agree with Mary M. that when we first write that we need to start with something small. Then, that tiny thing will grow into a thousand more tiny things.
"'When you write you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow.'"
ReplyDeleteThis quote stuck out to me because of the imagery that it used. It gives the reader a clear picture of what a line of words is supposed to do, and how in the end the reader comes out with a sentence. I think i will start using this idea when i write and see if it makes it more interesting for me.
I have to agree with Charis, for instance, when ms. Hettinger picks a good essay to read to the class, I can't help thinking, why didn't i do that? It makes me feel very small and insignificant.
“Before the words slide into their slots, they are just discrete items, pointing everywhere and nowhere. Once the words are nestled in the places “ordained” for them -”ordained” is a wonderful word that points to the inexorable logic of syntactic structures -they are tied by ligatures of relationships to one another.”
ReplyDeleteI am normally not one to appreciate sentence structures. I found, however, that the more I read How to Write a Sentence, by Stanley Fish, the more I paid attention to the word choice and syntax of each sentence. This passage personifies words and describes them “sliding” into their slots and “pointing everywhere and nowhere,” and it creates an image of a word literally sliding into a slot in a sentence. When I finished reading “Why Sentences?” I realized that the author made me take the time to taste his sentences -to almost think of words as living, breathing things. Furthermore, this passage is all-too-true. Words have a minimal effect compared to coherent sentences. Mash a handful of words together and you get gibberish; syntax is what makes a sentence, a sentence.
Response to Sheryl:
I agree completely because up until SOHO, I’ve written essays just to answer the prompt. This year, however, I’ve been focusing on creating concisely and with a purpose. Sure, Pip has changed in Part 1 of the novel, but so what? With this question in mind, I can write three pages, easy; but with a page limit, it requires me to focus on what’s necessary and to write simply. When I go back to my Freshman year essays, I can see all the “fluff” I’ve put, just to fill the requirements. It’s a pretty good feeling to know my writing isn’t like that anymore.
The one thing that I agree with in "Why Sentences?" by Stanley Fish is that a simple sentence can be more powerful then a complicated sentence. This is because at times a simple sentence can say more in regular words, than a complicated sentence can say in complex vocabulary. The whole point of each sentence in an essay is to get the idea of the writer accross to the reader. Whether that be in simple or complex vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Monika on that the first sentence of an essay is very important, because it establishes your entire essay in a way. Whether that be in a positive or negative way. It also gives the reader an idea of whether or not they want to read the essay any further.
"'When you write you lay out a line of words.The line of words is a miner's pick, a wood carver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow.' And when you come to the end of the path you have a sentence."
ReplyDeleteI really like the imagery and metaphors in this quote. You want a sentence that draws the readers in and makes them want more. The hardest part is digging for that perfect sentence and once you have got it, everything else falls into place.
- Selma
I agree with both Sheryl and Felicia, syntax makes a sentence come alive. Life would be very different without syntax.
ReplyDelete-Selma
In response to Monika:
ReplyDeleteI also agree that just getting the first sentence right makes writing the rest of your paper a lot easier, but it is hard to come up with that sentence. That's why writing your paper the night before isn't the best idea because it doesn't give you time to really write a few good sentences.
" I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box.
What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw the readers in and make them want more."
Our goals as writers is to do exactly what Steven Fish said, we are supposed to draw the readers in right away with one or maybe two good sentences. I think every writer struggles and strive to do this no matter how many books they've written. But to me a good writer just doesn't settle with the sentences they first wrote, they go back and fix some of their sentences until they are as "noteworthy" as the one written above.
"But wouldn't the equivalent of paint be words rather than sentences? Actually, no, because while you can brush and even drip paint on a canvas and make something interesting happen, just piling up words, one after the other, won't do much of anything until something else has been added."
ReplyDeleteThis passage from Stanley Fish's "How to Write a Sentence" stood out to me because it truthfully states what a sentence has to have. Sentences have to have hold meaning, and convey what the writer wants to say. For example, an introductory sentence has to present the topic being discussed and draw the reader in. Chunking together large, complex words doesn't mean the sentence is well written. Without proper syntax, every sentence is meaningless, and without meaning, a sentence is therefore worthless, which is why I agree with Sheryl(response to Sheryl. Sentences need syntax to hold meaning. If there is no meaning in what we write and say, all of it is basically worthless. We can't live in a world where everything trying to be said is in complete gibberish.
Ironically, I think that I've just written a bunch of meaningless sentences(too much repetition).
-Theodore Truong
"So it is with writing: the practice of analyzing and imitating sentences is also the practice of learning how to read them with an informed appreciation."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help but agree with this quote. Without our ability to analyze and understand what were reading, how can we fully appreciate good writers? You need to understand the information a writer is trying to convey to you.
I agree with Jawairia, in hte sense that not all sentences must be complex. Many authors use simple sentences to describe a variety of things. They want you to understand them, not look up confusing words.
- Daiana
"A good sentence can turn up in the middle of a movie where it shines for an instant and then recedes as the plot advsnces."
ReplyDeleteI liked this sentence from Stanley Fish's passage because I agree. You can find a great sentence that really shiney and conveys what's been said. I also think that you can find great sentences like this in music. Lyris has SOO many great sentences (well it's basically poetry). But in a way, i'm kind of surprised that Staley Fish didn't mention lrics in this passage. I think you can find some of the greatest sentences in songs. Sentenes that tell the story of a whole life. I think they're great.
In responce to Theo:
I agree because for a sentence to be a sentence it has to have meaning. We write so many pointless and worthless sentences that don't really mean much. The're kind of just fillers in our pages.
"You begin with a feel for the nitty-gritty material of the medium, paint in one case, sentences in the other."
ReplyDeleteIn other words, this sentence is saying if you don't like what you work with you shouldn't be working with it. If you don't like the smell of paint, don't be a painter, and if you don't like sentences, don't be a writer. While this quote doesn't say much about why one should use sentences, it does say something about a persons future and that they should strive to do something they enjoy doing.
In response to Monika
I agree, that first sentence is a key spot in a good paper or story. I also agree that it is really hard to come up with that "perfect" sentence. Some writers can take years to find the write words and sentence structure to start their piece of writing. We are given maybe a few weeks so sometimes you don't get that sentence perfect and have to use the following few sentences to get a point across.
"A good sentence can turn up in the middle of a movie where it shines for an instant and then recedes as the plot advances."
ReplyDeleteThe best movies always have the best quotes. Like Stanley Fish said, even one good sentence in the middle of a movie can leave a lasting memory in the minds of the audience. A movie quote that always seems to stick in my head is "Why so serious?" from the movie The Dark Knight. In my mind, this short, simple question was one the greatest moments in the movie. The way the question revealed so much about the Joker's personality and the quotes ability to stick in my mind really makes the quote a great sentence.
In response to Monika:
I completely agree with the idea that writing a "perfect" first sentence is all it takes to get your writing going, even though coming up with that first sentence is one of the hardest parts of writing.
"Even children can produce a good sentence. My mother-in-law, Lucille Reilly Parry, was a grade-school teacher and she recalled a day when a large box was delivered to the school. No one knew where it had come from or what it was, and she gave her fourth-grade students the assignment of writing something about it. One student began her essay with this sentence:
ReplyDeleteI was already on the second floor when I heard about the box.
What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw readers in and make them want more."
This passage speaks to me about the importance of sentences because it shows me that even a fourth grader can compose a good sentence. It doesn't take much to put together a sentence. It also shows me that a good sentence attracts people into reading your piece. Sentences are important because they are the foundation of the piece that you are going to write. Whether you use only one sentence to get a message across or whether you use multiple sentences.
In response to Vera:
ReplyDeleteI also agree on the fact that great sentences are not only found in books, but in movies and song lyrics also. The fact that a sentence is not in a book does not mean that 'it sucks', in certain cases song lyrics and movie quotes actually pertain to your life a lot more than sentences in books. A sentence is a sentence, doesn't matter where it's used.
"'When you write you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow.'"
ReplyDeleteThis sentence provides a great metaphor for the process of writing. To build on the mining example, it isn't always straight forward where one should mine. Rough spots will be hit and you will go home empty handed every so often, but once you have finished, you have dug a beautiful cave system that guides the reader and (if done skillfully) gives the reader some room for exploration as well.
In response to Vera:
While I do agree with you about lyrics containing some great sentences, I think that's why he didn't mention them. Songs are supposed to be poetic. Movies (from my experience) tend not to, which is why he felt the need to point that out.
''In her book The Writing Life (1989), Annie Dillard tells the story of a fellow writer who was asked by a student, "Do you think I could be a writer?" " 'Well,' the writer said, 'do you like sentences?' " The student is surprised by the question, but Dillard knows exactly what was meant. He was being told, she explains, that "if he liked sentences he could begin," and she remembers a similar conversation with a painter friend. "I asked him how he came to be a painter. He said, 'I like the smell of paint.'
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading ''Why Sentences?''. When I first read this quote, I thought that these few sentences were the philosophy to how we succeed in doing the things we enjoy doing. Just like how the painter liked the smell of paint, or how if you really wanted to become a writer, you have to like sentences. These are just the basic building blocks that you have to accept and go through in order to become a master at what you do best. With that being said, in order to produce a great piece and truly become a writer, you have to write a good sentence, but a sentence with all your passion and emotion.
In response to Sabrina:
I agree with Sabrina that even a fourth grader can compose a good sentence.I think that that is really true and it's pretty straightforward. If you have the knowledge and the skills to produce a good sentence,then you can utilize it no matter what the age is.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteI agree with this a lot. I also agree with Monika's post. The first sentence really does lay out the entire paper for you. Coming up with the first sentence is always the hardest part for me, but once I write it, everything else follows. The rest of the essay usually comes easy once I get the first sentence down.
-Jackie
"How to Write a Sentence" really showed me how the deeper you dig into something that looks simple makes it more complex. Some sentences have a certain ring to them that sets off an alarm in my head. In sentences using specific words, you can anticipate the rest. Anyone can write, think, or read a good sentence. Most good sentences have a simple structure, but the meaning is buried deeper than the literal meaning of the group of words. One sentence can lead the way to a whole story, and that story can become the inspiration for many more.
ReplyDeleteIn agreement with Sabrina:
Sentences truly are the foundation of any literary piece. If the sentences aren't strong, the entire piece would crumble. Having a solid foundation (in this case good sentences) can make a huge difference when you build on top of it.
"I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box. What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw the readers in and make them want more."
ReplyDeleteThis shows that a sentence does not have to be overly wordy to catch someone's eye. A sentence can be short as long as it makes the reader interested in what is to come. The vagueness of the sentence about the box makes it intriguing so you want to read more. If this sentence was much longer, it would not make as much of an impact even if was getting the same point across.
I also agree with Monika. The first sentence is the important because it shows the reader what is to come in the essay. If it is interesting, the reader will probably be interested in the rest of the essay.
-Berman
"My wife is a serious painter. When she and I go to a gallery we might both be impressed by the same painting, but she will be able to tell me, in analytical detail, what makes it impressive, how the painter did it."
ReplyDeleteWhen my friends and I listen to music together a similar situation occurs. This is because I surround myself with music all the time, and because I write music I know some tricks to it and such.
In respose to Vasil Pendavinji:
I agree with you that writing must be done skillfully and should give the reader a place to explore. However, I don't know where you get off saying that cave systems are beautiful, that's a really queer metaphor.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteThis is completely true. The first sentence is the set-up for your whole paragraph, or even for your whole paper. Sometimes the first sentence can be the hardest to write. I tend to over analyze it and put WAY too much thought into it. The quote even states to 'get the first sentence right', key word being right. Once I can string together the perfect words, everything else just flows out.
I agree with Sabrina about the importance of hooking a reader's attention with a sentence. Its true that in fourth grade our English teachers told us about having to write a 'hook sentence' to make our writing seem interesting. I think that its almost like advertisement. No one is going to be interested in a long and boring sentence that you have to analyze to discover the point. A reader wants something interesting, short, and to the point.
"Almost anyone can read with pleasure the sentence in which John Updike tells us what it was like to see Ted Williams- the Kid, the Splendid Splinter- hit a home run in his last at bat in Fenway Park on September 28, 1960:
ReplyDeleteIt was in the books while it was still in the sky.
But it takes a little bit more to talk precisely about what makes the sentence so effective."
This part of the reading stands out to me because, at first glance, the sentence stated by Updike makes no sense whatsoever. However, after a great deal of analyses, the reader can derive the meaning. I find it interesting how writers can put so much meaning into a single sentence. This is something that, perhaps, in the future, would be a magnificent skill to develop.
In response to Bill:
I think your examination of the metaphor of the line of words as a mine pick was superb. I agree with you that a sentence takes time to create, a good one, at that. However, with time, you will have created a wonderful sentence.
- Alex Studer
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteAs a lot of other people posted on here, i couldn't agree with this more. My biggest issue is coming up with a good way to start an essay. During my first draft i could stare at my paper for 2 hours and not come up with a good opening sentence. However, i have learned that once i get that perfect sentence the rest of my essay becomes so simple to write. My opening paragraph takes easily three times longer to write than the rest of my essay combined. The opening sentence is the most important thing about an essay as well. If you dont put into words what you are trying to say how can you write an entire essay about it?
In response to Lily, that's exactly why it takes me so long to write a first sentence. Sentences aren't always going to come naturally and for those of us who aren't gifted in writing opening sentences (MONIKA. just kidding) it takes quite a bit longer to get your essay to sound just right.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteWhenever i have a bad or weird first sentence of my intro or lead paragragh i find it very difficult to continue writing. I usally need to rewrite a new first sentence that fits with me. Then all the words start flowing.
I agree with Felicia, syntax makes sentences come alive
George Webb
"A good sentence can turn up in the middle of a movie where it shines for an instant and then recedes as the plot advances."
ReplyDeleteThis quote really stuck out to me because movies are kind of my thing. The simplest quotes from movies are the ones that are remembered most. For example, "I'm an excellent driver" from Rain Man is very well known. Although this line isn't particularly pertinent to the main storyline, it sticks out and is repeated a lot.
The sentence needs to be accompanied by good scenery and context to. "I'll see you soon, then" from Dear John only means more because of how they say it. This sentence could be loosely thrown around, but because of what we know about their relationship, it means more than that.
In response to Divs:
We would pick the same quote. It's probably because all we do is watch movies! But I agree with you because we make the same point!! The greatest movies of all time wouldn't be as great without the quotes we always pick from them. (Zoolander, 10 Things I Hate about You, Source Code)
"But wouldn't the equivalent of paint be words rather than sentences? Actually, no, because while you can brush and even drip paint on a canvas and make something interesting happen, just piling up words, one after the other, won't do much of anything until something else has been added."
ReplyDeleteThis quote stood out to me because you can't just add a bunch of big or useless words in a sentence to make it interesting, but you must have good meaning behind those words. When it comes to painting, you can piece together random things and create a great piece of art. That doesn't happen with sentences because you have to piece the correct words together to create an interesting and meaningful sentence.
In response to george:
I agree that the first sentence is very important. It usually lets you in on what the paper is going to be about and from there the rest of the paper can follow.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this chapter from Stanley Fish's book, because I like the words he chooses to express his opinions. One part of the chapter that stuck out to me was his comparison of sentences and sports. Fish explains that many people get really into professional games, and know the most important plays that have been made by their favorite athlete. They will watch a game, and let the environment take over their emotions. However, reading a book does not usually have the same affect on people, when it should. He says, "I am always on the lookout for sentences that take your breath away, for sentences that make you say '"Isn't that something?"' or '"What a sentence!"' If we were to all be on the lookout that Stanley Fish is always on, we would benefit so much more from reading than we already do, because we would be enjoying the time spent on it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Divya and Alison:
I agree that good movies always come with good quotes. I love the example you used about the Joker,since it is completely true. Even though it is not a line from a book, it can still have a lasting impression, like you said, because it sticks out and makes you think.
"The line of words is a miner's pick, a woodcarver's gouge, a surgeon's probe. You wield it and it digs a path you follow."
ReplyDeleteI kind of base my life off of this quote. When I write, or indeed when I do most things in my life, I usually have a direction I want to lead my actions in, but I don't usually have it specifically planned to the letter. I just let my "impulses" guide my actions, for lack of a better word. It's really not something as basic as that, it's more of just writing a collection of thoughts that I have in the order I think of them. Then I move things around to make a clear sentence or arguement or essay or whatever. The same with music, I have an idea I want to convey but I let the music guide all of the nuances, rather than planning everything out.
In response to Shelby (and everyone else who wrote about the quote concerning the first sentence): I do the same thing in my essays. I labor over the first paragraph, but the rest comes extremely easy after that. And while writing my essay, I always look back to my introduction regarding the structure of the essay.
"But wouldn't the equivalent of paint be words rather than sentences? Actually, no, because while you can brush and even drip paint on a canvas and make something interesting happen, just piling up words, one after the other, won't do much of anything until something else has been added."
ReplyDeleteI can intensely agree with this quote by Stanley Fish. There must be some sort of meaning and thought added to a sentence to make it important and to make it stand out. Meaningless, wordy sentences are what bog down someone's writing and just make it look like they're trying too hard.
In response to George: The first sentence is one of the most important aspects of a piece of writing. I can agree that is difficult to continue on with a strong paper after an odd opening sentence has been written.
You begin with a feel for the nitty-gritty material of the medium, paint in one case, sentences in the other.
ReplyDeleteyou need to lay down your ideas in sentences so that they make sense. you can expand and elaborate later. sentences are a good way to process ideas.
In response to Alex Wood,
ReplyDeleteI agree that sentences need to make sense in order for them to work properly. improper vocab can ruin a sentence, and the whole paragraph in some cases
"No one knew where it had come from or what it was, and she gave her fourth-grade students the assignment of writing something about it. One student began her essay with this sentence: I was already on the second floor when I heard about the box. What is noteworthy about this sentence is its ability to draw readers in and make them want more."
ReplyDeleteThis sentence certainly drew me in. It was so clever of this fourth grader to pick a different perspective of what to write about this box. I would expect fourth graders to write a sentence that sounded like this: "The box's owner is unknown." Or "The box is big, black, and mysterious." However, the way this sentence was written gives the different angle of the situation.
And to think it was thought up by a fourth grader.
In response to Nick M:
I really liked this quote, and I liked how you related it to your personal interest, music. I criticize/critique music all the time, too, especially live performances. But it's fun to if the person you are with is willing to listen to your input of the music.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteI really do believe this quote, because I can relate to it. The first sentence in an essay tend to lead the way for the rest of them. So if the first is bad, the rest will be too. Meow.
Marc Coss
And in response to Alex, I agree that sentences do need to make sense, otherwise reading is a pain.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteI agree with this sentence so much because I always work the hardest on my thesis. I try to make it perfect because its the first thing my teacher will read when she grades my paper and it sets up what the whole essay is about. Also in books, if the first sentence is really grabbing, it makes you want to read the book even more. If it was a boring first few sentences, i would have no interest in reading that book.
And in response to Felicia "this passage personifies words and describes them “sliding” into their slots and “pointing everywhere and nowhere,” and it creates an image of a word literally sliding into a slot in a sentence." I remember reading this line and then picturing it in my head that every word was jumping into place and then I got distracted and my mind kept going back to the working words.
In response to Monika
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with Monika that just because the first sentence is perfect that the rest will be great. Most of the time it is easier to come up with a great sentence than a great paragraph or essay because you can summarize your thoughts instead of providing a full layout of your ideas.
-Krista
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteThis sentence stood out to me, because it is so true. The first sentence sets everything in an essay and is very important.
Getting the first sentence right is very hard for me, and often times it takes me at least an hour to think of the perfect sentence to start off my essay.
In response to Max: I find it interesting that you relate this quote about word choice to life.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is necessary to have a direction you want to lead to in life and dig a path towards it.
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with this quote. Coming up with the first sentence is the hardest part for me. Once I get that first sentence down, everything else just starts to flow. It's difficult to come up with a good first sentence that will instantly attract your readers, but once that is done, the essay becomes much easier to right. That first sentence sets the tone for your essay.
In response to Chealsea
I also agree that just adding a lot of big words doesn't make the writing good. You need more than just big, lengthy sentences to make a paper interesting.
I hate being pessimistic, but maybe this is why i will never be a writer. Between 6th and 7th grade i somewhat entertained the notion or being a writer, I had grand schemes for stories and novels, but I never really loved organizing paragraphs and sentences. By Frshman year I had totally banished the idea in exchange for aspiring to be an engineer. Towards this I dont know what the final product will be, but I am drawn to the idea of making things work. Lesson Learned: IF you already know exactly what you want to do, its probably not what you are going to end up doing, but if there is something small that you enjoy doing, then figure out how to apply it logicaly and you will have found a much more suitable proffesion for yourself.
ReplyDelete"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement. Be it an essay, a poem, or a novel, one has to start their writing somewhere, and that very first sentence really has to catch the reader's attention and make them want to read more. There are a variety of ways to go about doing this. One can simply write a succinct, but interesting sentence that is profound in its terseness; for example, "I was eleven years old when the meteor struck my house." An alternate way of beginning a piece of writing could be a detailed, but captivating account of something. For example, "Jenna lay in the meadow, staring up at the vast night sky and nibbling on an oatmeal-raisin cookie, warm from her grandmother's oven." However a writer decides to open up their piece, that first sentence can't be a boring or the readers will be snoring.
In response to Chelsea, while I concur with the idea that a random slew of words does not form a coherent sentence, I do believe that there is some value in piling on words; Dickens does it all the time, and just look how cherished his writing is.
- Jack Thornton
"Just get the first sentence right, everything else will follow."
ReplyDeletethis quote stood out to me because this is something that i struggle with in my writing. In almost every paper I write, i tend to overlook the first sentence because I can never come up with the right wording and i just want to jump into the paper and start spewing ideas. But I think that it is important and in my best interest to start spending more time in creating a strong opening sentence. This sets the mood for the rest of the paper and is a vital part of making an argument interesting.
in response to Chelsea, I agree in the sense that words cannot just be jumbled together in hopes of sounding smart. In other words, there is no use in adding a bunch of large words if they don't support the purpose of a deeper meaning and strengthen a sentence.
Although Fish gives very good examples of strong, skilled sentences, the one part that stuck out to me was this:
ReplyDelete"The closest analogy, i think, is to sports highlights; you know, the five greatest dunks, the ten greatest catches, or the fifteen greatest touchdown runbacks. The response is always 'Wasn't that amazing?' or 'Can you believe it?' or 'I can't for the life of me see how he did that,' or 'What an incredible move!' or 'That's not humanly possible.' And always the admiration is a rueful recognition that you couldn't do it yourself even though you have two hands and feet."
I really liked this entire passage because I could actually understand the point Fish was trying to get across, although I had never really considered strong sentences in the same way i watch sport highlights. I understand that Fish loves sentences, but upon reading this, i couldn't really help but think, this guy is pretty dorky. I mean, when i read a really good book and at the end of a chapter there is a strong sentence forming a fantastic cliffhanger, i don't verbally proclaim "Can you believe it?" or "That's not humanly possible." I may, AT MOST, gasp a little to myself, but I've never been so blown away from a single sentence that I have to shout it out. I understand the "rueful recognition" part, since when i read a good book and watch an amazing sports clip, in both cases i think to myself "Man, why can't i do that?" It's simply human to strive to be what you aren't and envy those who can do what you can't.
In response to Marc Coss:
I also really agree with Fish's statement. The hardest part, at least for me, when writing an essay is the introduction. Once i feel like i have a powerful opening sentence and a complete thesis, the rest of the essay is a breeze. It's just that finding the words to form those initial words is always so hard, since finding a point to originate from is like playing "Pin the tail on the Donkey," one goes in blindly, and only hopes they got it right on.