So...What Book Haven't You Read Yet, But ALWAYS Wanted To Read? ...And Why?

Ok. I'm gonna be honest. It's 1:10 in the morning, and after I get through with this blog, I'm going to attempt to play catch up with my Hermeneutics homework.

With that being said...

HELLO WORLD!!!

I'm back once again. Live, and in living color. No pun intended. And I just now realized that you're reading text on a blog so whatever color you're seeing is uh...what you're getting.

Anyway, the Lovely Mrs. G. has presented another main-course question for me to dig into, so without any further hesitation, let me prepare my fork, knife, and nappie-kins.

"So, T.R...what book haven't you read yet, but always wanted to read?"

...Well...that's an easy question. 1984.

"Not so fast, sir. Now tell me why."

Awwww man...do I really have to? Ah well, let's get on with the show.

1984, to my knowledge, is a book written by George Orwell. He is the same author who wrote the book Animal Farm, and strangely enough, I've seen that movie. The book, much like the aforementioned title, is centered around a fictional place in time with a backdrop of Communism. The book's theme is heavily influenced by government's involvement with people and their personal lives, which plays a significant role within this particular piece.

Why I want to read this piece specifically, I really can't tell you. It's a book that I know people have read in high school. I have never picked it up, but I have heard interesting reviews from a lot of people. Most of which, are good. Knowing the material that George Orwell has written, I feel that this book will be a good one, much like Animal Farm.

I hope I'm right!

--T.R. McKnight

So...What Do I REALLY Want To Do With My English Degree?

Man...college is really not for the weakly disciplined. I only say this because I am a tired young man...and a tired young man often plays catch up. I gotta step it up!

What's up, ya'll? I'm back once again. I hope ya'll don't mind the disclaimer up there, but I just gotta remind myself that I need to keep pushin' forward with this whole "College" thing.

Another question has been placed on the floor by the uh-may-zing Mrs. G.

So without further adieu, let's get started.

So, T.R....what do you REALLY want to do with your English degree?

To be honest, there are so many places that I can go with this, that if I were to list them all, I'd take forever. So, for the sake of time and space, and the capacity of words that my fingers are allowed to type at this late hour, I'll just let ya'll into my main focus.

I really want to pursue a career in music and studio recording. You may ask me how this ties in with being an English major, but one must also keep in mind that English Majors are not necessarily confined to the stereotypical "English Major Box." In fact, for an assignment, I actually found a list of famous, celebrity English majors. Upon seeing that list, the results shocked me. The list of celebrities that I found was so diverse...in all honesty, it gave me hope. People like Vin Diesel, Sting, Dr. Seuss, Amerie, Conan O'Brien...just to name a few (to see the full list, just bing the term "Famous English Majors").

Anyway, just seeing that list gave me the "ok" to be secure in what I want to do. Discovering that there are limitless possibilities awaiting me...gives me a positive sense of reassurance that I'm taking the right path. Besides mathematics...we all use English in our everyday lives. We have to read, comprehend, follow directions, ask questions, type, write, typewrite (lol), solve problems, communicate...the amount of English use in our society cannot be measured. Even in the music industry, with the way the world is turning, every single facet of a broad industry such as this one is becoming digital and computerized. Young English majors are becoming more and more tech-savvy every day. Being a technically sound English Major is like...MAJOR points for almost any job position. Being able to learn and utilize certain software and even known software such as Word, Outlook, and Excel are big pluses. Many aspects of the music industry can be found and operated via computer, and knowing this, I feel like I have a slight advantage in pursuing music because I am learning excellent communication and writing skills as an English Major.

Writing has always been my forte. I have always loved poetry and rhyme, and Hip-Hop music (preferably East-Coast, Mid-West, and Christian) has always been my favorite genre. I can't get enough of it. It helps me to express who I am. Yes...it shows who T.R. McKnight TRULY is. I love music, and I love writing. It just makes sense, right?

...Well, to me it does.

But I hope that I answered the question thoroughly.

...or at least adequately. ;^D

So...be sure to scroll up to the next blog topic after this!

--T.R. McKnight

So...What Does Good Writing "Look" Like?

Hello world!

I'm back again. Hope ya'll aren't gettin' tired of me, because I've got some more subject matter to run through your brains. The question on the floor today once again comes from the fabulous Mrs. G. With this one, I'll be sharing my view on what good writing actually "looks" like.

So...What does good writing "look" like, T.R.?

Personally, good writing is writing that appeals not only to the author, but the reader himself. Good writing is not necessarily characterized by any preset standards or guidelines, but an acquired confidence in one's work that allows them to feel that they have produced a good, quality product. Good writing has to have the seal of approval from the writer, of course!

Good writing allows the writer to have a sense of freedom and flexibility when it comes to their writing, which gives the confidence needed to produce a work that is a true reflection of the writer's skill. Let's be honest, if one were to write an essay over some topic, yet present it in a bland, dull, dry, "by-the-book" manner...would one really be enthused about reading it? If NO type of personality or feeling was put into the essay whatsoever, would it still be considered good? Sure it may be informational, and possibly groundbreaking, but at the same time, as humans, we like to feel that there's a sense of emotion behind a person's writing. Am I lying? We don't want to read a work that seems like a robot manufactured it.

For a writer, good writing is designed to bring out the best in one's writing. It is a direct reflection of the personal style that a writer has, and how they use it to its fullest extent. Good writing is not "written." It is felt. It is inspired. It is the writer's thoughts, emotions, experiences, imagination, realizations, and so much more...presented as one great piece of work.

I believe that a good reader can recognize good writing. Wait...I take that back. ANY reader can recognize good writing. Whether it's a children's book, a novel, or a lengthy discourse on the migrational patterns of geese...if the product is written well, then the reader will pick up on that.

And once the reader picks up on that...then they'll enjoy the work even more.

So there you have it. My interpretation on what I feel that good writing looks like.

(Hope I didn't go too far into left field with this one...)

I'll holla at ya'll later.

Peace, Much Love and God Bless.

--T.R. McKnight