The Power of Words

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Joseph Addison once said, “Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves (416).” I like this quote because it shows the importance of words and how powerful and influential they can be. Illustrations are used the same way, they hold the attention of readers, communicate content of information, and give insight of a particular event. There are eight types of illustrations: compare/contrast, personal experiences, processes, facts, quotations, case studies, examples, and statistics. My main focus, however, will be examples, facts, and quotes.

Initially, examples are important in the writing process because it helps to build ideas. They are a direct link to what the writer is trying to say and what their point is. In “Champion of the World,” Maya Angelou talks about Joe Louis starting to lose the fight and how it signifies all of the wrong treatment that the black race has had to endure. Such as, women being ambushed and raped, another black man suffering through a lynching, and a young boy being whipped and maimed (95). Angelou used this example to show how Louis symbolizes strength and progress for his community. In Adam Mayblum’s narrative “The Price We Pay,” he discusses how America is not an image of power and democracy, but a concept. He then goes on to explain that that concept is strengthened by our teamwork and how attacking our country results in our joining together and thus the winning of democracy (48). This points out how terrorism leads to our uniting but also to the price we have to pay to remain free. Suzanne Britt’s “Neat People vs. Sloppy People,” is full of examples of why sloppy people are better than neat people. ...

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... clinch and Louis was trying to fight his way out (94). I really like this quote because it signifies a lot. Blacks were the lower species back then, and no white person would ever think about touching a black person, much less open their arms up and embrace them. To me this quote signifies the beginning of change in the South and the end of racial discrimination. And I think that’s exactly why Angelou chose to use it.

In conclusion, illustrations help set the proper mindset for your readers to accept the points you make. The perfect quote, example, or fact ties everything together for your readers and lets you continue sharing your thoughts because your readers are ready to receive them. Essentially, without the use of illustrations you are losing the opportunity to leave a strong impression on your reader and help them develop their opinions on the topic at hand.

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