English 4410

Writing is something that can be many things. Funny, sad, angry, and every other feeling anyone might feel while their pen hits the paper. Writing is and always will be a beautiful arrangement of words and sounds that paints a picture that allows the reader to feel a glimpse of what the author is feeling. Writing is a beautiful art.   I have found that each period of time has its own unique writing style. Each period also comes with critics that have a sense of elitism that rules and decides if different writings are good or bad. In the 18th-century writers such as Joesph Addison, Sir Richard Steele, and Alexander Pope all commanded great respect and set the tone for what writing should be and how authors should write. Pope would come out with his famous writing " An Essay on Criticism ," which would show what he largely considered to be good writing. Pope would set a standard for what writing should be but is there really only one correct way to write? I believe the answer i...

    Journalism and public writing have become a major factor in everyday life. However, society was not always like this such as before the 18th century. Prior, very few had the means nor ability to read or write but as society entered into the 18th-century life would drastically change. The most important being the printing press that would have the greatest impact as no longer did just the wealthy have access to literature. The printing press would introduce newspapers, pamphlets, books, and other reading material that could be absorbed by the new upcoming middle class. As the 18th century moved forward the middle class was formed with merchants, shop owners, and others that now had the ability to earn more money. Now more people could be educated and most importantly read. With more readers allows journalism and other public writings much more relevant. One such series of essays that became very relevant in the 18th century was  The Spectator,  by Addison and Stee...