Response to “The Transaction” by William Zinsser
“The Transaction.” Upon reading its title, I would not have expected William Zinsser’s work to concern writing; monetary or some similar business exchange is what I had anticipated. However, the nature of an exchange is present, though, in the form of information: the exchanging of different ideas (“…he was interested in my answers…I was interested in his answers).” With this, textual evidence supports that Zinsser uses the context of a transaction in order to easily apply a comparison and contrast technique. Moreover, the technique itself provides a prime illustration of how variable writing can be, thus, proving to reflect one’s variable emotions. I actually find this approach used quite skillfully applied when compared to its over-used “this or that” character. Though, before …show more content…
Brock, there is a definite indication to his laid-back and light character: “bright red jacket…looking vaguely bohemian.” In addition, I have the idea that Dr. Brock is a smiley and hand-shaking type of man…probably because of his simple answers to the audiences’ questions. Zinsser indicates that he does not embody Brock’s appearance: “[how] we are supposed to look.” Brock’s answers are happy-go-lucky as is his writing: “tremendous fun,” “let it all hang out,” and “greatly enjoy.” Zinsser’s is stark. I believe it is creative that Zinsser uses these contrasts to arrive at a commonality of the men’s perspectives of writing: that both men use writing to express themselves and to ‘“personalize’ the author.” Both men view the matter of writing with varying perspectives, yet, both utilize such to a common aim.
Just as Brock and Zinsser use writing to present their positions to an audience, I, too, am using the transaction of writing to present mine with the greatest “clarity and strength.” I may find that my writing is variable when compared to others in the class, but this is the aim of all writing, isn’t
“The Transaction.” Upon reading its title, I would not have expected William Zinsser’s work to concern writing; monetary or some similar business exchange is what I had anticipated. However, the nature of an exchange is present, though, in the form of information: the exchanging of different ideas (“…he was interested in my answers…I was interested in his answers).” With this, textual evidence supports that Zinsser uses the context of a transaction in order to easily apply a comparison and contrast technique. Moreover, the technique itself provides a prime illustration of how variable writing can be, thus, proving to reflect one’s variable emotions. I actually find this approach used quite skillfully applied when compared to its over-used “this or that” character. Though, before …show more content…
Brock, there is a definite indication to his laid-back and light character: “bright red jacket…looking vaguely bohemian.” In addition, I have the idea that Dr. Brock is a smiley and hand-shaking type of man…probably because of his simple answers to the audiences’ questions. Zinsser indicates that he does not embody Brock’s appearance: “[how] we are supposed to look.” Brock’s answers are happy-go-lucky as is his writing: “tremendous fun,” “let it all hang out,” and “greatly enjoy.” Zinsser’s is stark. I believe it is creative that Zinsser uses these contrasts to arrive at a commonality of the men’s perspectives of writing: that both men use writing to express themselves and to ‘“personalize’ the author.” Both men view the matter of writing with varying perspectives, yet, both utilize such to a common aim.
Just as Brock and Zinsser use writing to present their positions to an audience, I, too, am using the transaction of writing to present mine with the greatest “clarity and strength.” I may find that my writing is variable when compared to others in the class, but this is the aim of all writing, isn’t