"10 Ways to Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Students" by E. Shelley Reid

   I completely agree with the rules that Reid suggests be the "broader Principles". I have found that when I write about something that I am passionate about, I rarely get stuck in a writers block. I usually start writing and by the time I am done writing, I have to go back and edit material out because it is way too long. This is also true when I write material that I have personal knowledge about. I literally will start writing, not worrying about most rules for writing, and then I will come back when I am done and "dress it up" a bit. This can be bad for me, because I will anger professors due to the lack of correct grammar, but I usually receive decent grades and feedback because my papers are easily read, and do not lack information. Reid's next principle "Show, don't tell", I believe is the most important of the principles. I rarely comprehend literature that is merely projecting information. If I cannot imagine what I am reading, then I may as well not read it. In order for me to communicate something to someone in writing, I enjoy using examples and details. Like for example, when I talk about the acoustic guitar, I will not just mention what it is, but that it is an instrument of precision and beauty when played correctly. The acoustic guitar is one of the few that can be played solo. It can be manipulated to play any genre of music, and when it is mastered by a guitarist, nothing is more beautiful and unique. When I wrote that description, I was imagining not only a guitar in front of me, but I was also imagining what the acoustic guitar means to me. Reid's third principle, which I believe is also extremely important, "Adapt to the Audience and Purpose you are Writing for". Knowing how to speak in a way that enough people will WANT to listen to you is important. It is not enough to just give accurate depictions of events or things, but it is equally important to portray a personality and hit on many different attributes such as humor, drama, and/or action. Most people will find one of those three attributes appealing if not all of them; therefore, including them into a paper will most likely appeal to whoever is reading it.