Write an essay about the power of words and language in the book “A place to stand” by Jimmy Santiago Baca The specific focus of this essay is entirely up to you. Start your search in what you love in the book. Think about things that got you excited. Write about something that you’re passionate about. Role: Decide who you are writing as. Think about all of the roles you play throughout life: husband, wife, employee, boss, father, mother, student, consumer. In each of these roles, you take on a particular voice, you act a certain way, you pay attention to certain details. In each of these roles you experience the power of words. When you adopt a role in your writing, it becomes more interesting because it is more real.
It allows you to write from a place of power because you can be true to yourself. Purpose: Why are you writing this? If your only purpose in writing is to “complete the assignment” you might grow to despise writing. What is your particular angle on the topic? What is overall point you’re attempting to make? Audience: Who are you writing for? I am a necessary audience for what you write, but don’t write for me.
Writing is more than a performance you put on for a teacher. Decide who really needs to hear your ideas. Whose life would improve if they understood your point? It can help to understand your audience’s preconceived notions, their assumptions, the things they consider normal. The more deeply you understand your audience and his/her life, the better chance your writing has of making an impact.
