Well, I’ve decided to write my main essay on how I am passionate about raising and showing my sheep… only I don’t know what to all talk about. Am I only supposed to talk about one way it’s affected me, or several ways? Some of the things I had been thinking about writing were:
How I’ve had to set definite goals with what I’m aiming for concerning my sheep, and how the goals don’t always come easy…
Possibly about how the sheep are something different and how having a different/diverse interest has made me appreciate diversity
How I have wanted to learn everything there is about sheep (read different books, asked LOTS of questions)… and how I’ve been able to share the knowledge I’ve learned with others…
*If this one would be okay to do I would be able to give different ways I have helped, or to show how I’ve learned so much… only I think I read that you should steer away from topics discussing how you were inspired to learn, so maybe this option wouldn’t be good
-I could write about how it’s affected my responsibility and work ethic, however I don’t think I really want to write about responsibility because I think that sounds like it would be a common thing
-Finally, I thought that maybe I could add how my sheep have increased my interest in science, and how I now want to go into a science-related field
I guess I just really don’t know what to do… I’d appreciate comments on which of these would be good to write about (or maybe other ideas that someone would have), and also if I should just write about one of these things, or if I should write about a few of them to show different ways the sheep have affected me.
Thanks!
<p>Why don't you just write some stream of consciousness about SHEEP-- the dailyness of it, the rythms of it. Some events that have happened. Telling the tale of your life with sheep. Then see where that takes you and THEN, choose the best threads to weave an essay...</p>
<p>The tendency to want to make it come out to a moral baffles me. Let the moral come across more softly, through the tale itself, or maybe just a line or two in the conclusion.</p>
<p>The books on essays tend to denigrate the pat morals (soccer = life) and praise more the essays that take you on a journey into the interior or the world of the writer.</p>
<p>Gosh...stream of consciousness...that reminds me of James Joyce. If you are going to write in Stream of Consciousness mode, then read James Joyce...genius work.</p>
<p>It's a good topic. You've thought of some angles, but now I'd do some free form writing first as bmom suggests. After your first brainstorm session (which you've done) you have to write by WRITING, not by thinking about writing. Through writing, you will discover the way to tell your story, pick out the good parts and edit, then edit then edit.</p>
<p>But you might think of an anecdote to relate; a particular interesting or funny incident, or a turning point or even a low point. Try to get into the details of a story and also then try writing about the larger picture. I'm sure you can 'show' responsibility and your detailed knowledge will speak for itself. Give it a shot on paper and don't worry about how it goes or the format at first.</p>
<p>If you have the end point in mind, and stick to the "message" slavishly, you will be forcing the story in that direction and it will seem very stiff.</p>
<p>I think I replied to another post of yours because I remember liking the sheep idea. I gave you similar advice on that post.</p>