Style- Andy Cummock

I often think back to my humanities class when I hear the word "style".   More specifically about the process for critical writing, or in other words, responding to our experiences with certain arts.  We learned that the effectiveness of a critical response is split into three parts: the purpose, the style, and the audience.  The three are interconnected and when used properly, makes an essay effective.  First being, what is your purpose? Then, who is your audience? And lastly, Does your style fulfill your purpose and appeal to your audience?  So for me style plays a big role and also gives you voice in your paper.  It makes your unique and stand out from the crowd.  When I write my papers I feel like I often write without style, more of an methodical way of expressing what my claims and reasons.  Thus my papers often have a strong logos appeal and very little emotional appeals.  This is probably due to the fact that I haven't quite been able to put my "voice" into my writing.  Because when I'm around my friends, I like to laugh and have fun.  However, when I'm writing I feel like I have to go into processor mode.  Like a computer putting out data.  I mean let's face it, everybody has had that class where the professor talks monotone and within five minutes puts everyone to sleep.  That to me, says he has failed to appeal to his audience, that he has no connection with them and like a chain reaction, he can't fulfill his purpose.  Its like having all long sentences in your essays, without good diction or syntax.  It makes for a boring and plain waste of reading.  Which is why I believe, humor can help build that connection and relate yourself with your readers.  But of course everything in moderation, too much humor and your not going to be able to make a convincing argument about your issue.  So I feel like I am always faced with this problem. I like to organize my ideas and my paper with outlines and a lot of planning.  But the funniest moments I remember are always spontaneous and unrelated.  This makes it a challenge for me to put my voice in my writing while still maintaining a professional writing style.  Its something I believe through free writing can be improved to sound more fluid and more real.  So definitely something to work on for the next paper.