The Essayists (The Advanced Level)

"I believe a story can be wrecked by a faulty rhythm in a sentence— especially if it occurs toward the end—or a mistake in paragraphing, even punctuation. Henry James is the maestro of the semicolon. Hemingway is a first-rate paragrapher. From the point of view of ear, Virginia Woolf never wrote a bad sentence. I don't mean to imply that I successfully practice what I preach. I try, that's all."

~Truman Capote

Capote's remarks, from an interview on the “Art of Fiction,” preach the rigors of the writing process: the crucial significance of rhythm, sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity. Yet, however imperfect one's writing may be, and however intimidating it might be to compare yourself to those literary titans, Capote's sentiment of “I try, that's all” sums up the spirit of writing.

The word essay is rooted in the French word essayer, meaning “to try.” The act of writing an essay is about “trying” to articulate abstract thoughts into tangible forms—bridging the gaps between ideas and expression, one internal and one external. The process of learning to connect them requires skills, discipline, and persistence, while preserving the beauty of one's originality and creativity.

Think of essay-writing as an art or a craft; a writer, like an artist, must devote his or her sustained attention to its form and expression. As with painting, sculpture, or dance, achieving excellence in writing is fraught with challenges, particularly for students attempting the difficult transition from the boundless realm of thought to the structured confines of the page.

Oftentimes, a young writer's thoughts are like dandelions in early summer: profuse and lively, yet adrift aimlessly in the winds. Ideas may scatter unless carefully brought into coherent narratives or arguments. Whether a seasoned wordsmith or a fledgling novice, we believe, every writer should endeavor to refine the process of his or her written work with the same care and precision as a florist selecting and arranging the most ideal flowers harmoniously in a bouquet.

In “The Essayists,” we embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, trying to hone our artistic and formal writing skills through trial and error. We draw inspiration from literary luminaries; we glean insights into the art of writing, from the mastery of punctuation to the rhythm of sentences and paragraphs and the formulation of clear thoughts and arguments; we work on refining the imperfection that is inevitable when structure is applied to the creative process, ultimately transforming our impressions and ideas into a finely crafted piece of writing. Above all, we embrace the spirit of trying, a most valuable and important first step before one can achieve perfection!