Good Essay On Critical Analysis Of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.’s ‘how To Write With Style’

As Vonnegut says, newspaper reporters and technical writers do reveal as little about themselves as possible. Other types of writers may reveal themselves a lot more. However, I do not agree that accidental or intentional revelations are only the reserve for ‘-“almost all the other writers”, and especially not on the basis of the examples given (that is, ignorant or informed, crooked or honest, stupid or bright, humorless or playful). These things reveal themselves in tone (which every writing has), and tone is one of the elements of style that help to reveal writers to the readers, how they feel about things. And this becomes the turning point for that opening argument; that because tone (among other elements of style) is in every piece of writing, all writers (including newspaper reporters and technical writers) can reveal themselves. That newspaper reporters and technical writers reveal lesser about themselves is not their choice or a matter of training per se, but because the 3-person approach of their writing specialties demand it.
Secondly, indeed, every writer should look to improve themselves. However, Vonnegut seems to confuse what constitutes good writing. There is the question of style, then that of theme. It is hard to know which one Vonnegut is referring to. The third paragraph seems to imply style (including grammar, simplicity, clarity, brevity, etc.). But the next paragraph talks of ‘what is interesting’. Vonnegut fails on the one rule of writing he advocates; clarity.
Vonnegut also seems to be confused about to whom the writer owes good writing; him/herself (the writer) or the readers. Paragraph 3 and 4 seems to imply that the writer should focus more on pleasing the reader (referring to those others who will read his/her work). But it is hard to know what exactly the readers want. Moreover, the writer cannot please all readers. Therefore, a writer owes it to him/herself to write well. When they write, they should considers their point of view as readers and write what would draw their attention if they were the ones reading the work. Vonnegut implies this in his advice that the writer to find the subject ‘you’ care about and ‘sound like yourself’. The writer can only be him/herself. The rest just follows.