TOW #1: How to Say Nothing in 500 Words

In How to Say Nothing in 500 Words, Paul Roberts provides readers with vital advice in order to achieve writing success. An established author of various writing textbooks, including Patterns of English and Understanding English, Paul Roberts seemingly breaks down the artistry of the English language into a science of writing and composition. In this piece, he appears to be speaking to English students, by giving a particular scenario of what a student goes through while writing a paper, and using a second - person point of view, constantly using the word, you, thus, giving the sense that he is directly addressing them. Throughout the text, Roberts offers tips and pointers on how to write effectively and what students should and should not do, to improve their composition skills. The author uses many important rhetorical devices, including an informal, humorous tone and personification. In the excerpt, his informal, humorous tone helps his audience relate to his statements about writing. For example, when talking of the differences of writing in 19th and 20th centuries, he claims that more people today prefer less dramatic literature, stating, " Some people like that sort of thing, but most modern readers would say, 'Good grief,' and turn on the television" (65). In this humorous line, he makes his topic more intriguing for his audience, helping them grasp a better understand of what he saying. He also uses personification when talking about many aspects of composition. For example, he states, "Some pat expressions stand like a wall between the writer and thought" (64). Through his use of personification, he emphatically points out the effects of various writing skills, educating his audience in an interesting way. By using these rhetorical strategies, Roberts informs his audience of how to write effectively and gives many important pieces of advice, hoping to improve their writing skills. I felt that these devices helped him achieve his purpose because there were certain aspects discussed in this essay that I could use in my composition skills and after reading, I had some new writing techniques under my belt. In How to Say Nothing in 500 Words, Paul Roberts effectively writes to his readers, teaching them valuable writing skills and giving important pointers, to help them succeed in the science of composition.