ARCS p. 230 #1,2, & 6

1.)
After reviewing several selections of professional writing, I decided to analyze the foreword of the novel Beloved, written by Toni Morrison. Morrison effectively convinces readers that she is an educated and well-informed source of information by describing her background as an editor and a writer. She states, “I had written four novels and it seemed clear to everyone that writing was my central work.” Morrison also demonstrates her research into the topics surrounding the plot and themes of Beloved when she explains “Margaret Garner, a young mother who, having escaped slavery, was arrested for killing one of her children (and trying to kill the others) rather than let them be returned to the owner’s plantation.” Since Morrison’s novel centers on the lives of former African American slaves, explaining this scenario emphasizes Morrison’s efforts to fully understand the struggles faced by these individuals. Morrison displays her goodwill towards her readers when she states, “I wanted the reader to be kidnapped, thrown ruthlessly into an alien environment as the first step into a shared experience with the book’s population – just as the characters were snatched from one place to another, from any place to any other, without preparation or defense.” Morrison wants the author to experience feelings similar to those felt by the book’s characters. The book's author establishes her own character in stating, “I convinced myself that it was time for me to live like a grown-up writer: off royalties and writing only.” Morrison views herself as a writer and values her work.

2.)
Morrison writes the foreword to her novel in first person point of view. Therefore, the author does not establish a formal distance from her audience, but instead addresses them directly. She also writes in past tense, describing the events that inspired her to write Beloved. Morrison also uses fairly large words throughout the foreword. For example, when explaining the relation of Margaret Garner to her own novel, Morrison writes, “The heroine would represent the unapologetic acceptance of shame and terror; assume the consequences of choosing infanticide; claim her own freedom.”

6.)

Dear Americans,

Please log onto CBSNews.com to view our coverage of the 2008 presidential election. You can watch all of our reporting of the election on television or on our webcast. Please stay tuned in to receive up to the minute updates on the events of this momentous election.

Sincerely,
Katie Couric