What do the following men and women have in common? Al Franken, Dave Barry, Erma Bombeck, Jon Stewart, Annie Dillard, Andy Rooney, Winston Churchill? They all were or are essayists. Those who write articles or columns are essayists. The trade probably goes back as far as the written language.
An essay has been defined as “a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject.” The style is usually analytical, speculative or interpretive. It is also usually subjective.
Before the advent of television, essays were written for the printed page. However, since TV they are also visual. Andy Rooney is a good example of one essayist who uses both medias. He has written hundreds of essays for newspapers and scores of verbal essays for 60 Minutes.
News reporters and investigative reporters deal with facts. Columnists like Jack Smith, Art Buchwald and Andy Rooney are opinionated in content. In style they often use metaphors, analogies, double entrandre, insinuations, hyperbole and humor.
Usually illustrations are in vogue. From personal experiences to world events. Columnists “farm the field of literature.” As well as friends (past and present) and politicians.
The mood of an essay varies widely. From caustic to tranquil. From sarcastic to conciliatory. From angry to understanding. The mood of an article is at the whim of the writer. Perhaps the most subtle approach is the “tongue in cheek” articles.
Andy Rooney, a modern essayist still alive, expressed my philosophy in a recent article. “I often write articles on subjects about which I know very little about. I try to write in a style that makes me sound more interesting than I am.” Me too.
Igor Stravinsky, the great musician, tried writing, but became frustrated with the freedom, an infinite number of possibilities.
He was more comfortable with the “seven notes of the scale and writing music.” He then said, “I am saved from the anguish of unconditional liberty.”
Boredom is never the bane of the columnist. His (my) modus operandi (M.O.) is eclectic. The range of topics is endless. Always written with opinions by the author.
Current themes (politics, Democrats versus Republicans, issues-taxes, economy, out-sourcing, abortion, homosexuality, subsidies.
Historical themes (Roman Empire, inventions, World Wars, Holocausts, USA expansions, States rights, cultural influences-Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, Native American.
Religious themes (world religions-Buddhism, Hindu, Shinto, Islam, Judaism,) aspects of Christianity (Jesus versus Paul, inerrancy, universalism, eternal life, etc,) evolution, theocracy.
Persons of interest (those who have made significant contributions-Berk, Cousins, Frankl, Boyne, Favre, Norwitzki, Helen Keller, etc.)
However, in spite of these designations, most columnists, including myself, defer to “random moments of inspiration.” Personal experiences or interests, suggestions of friends, reading or television.
A columnist’s style is always open for scrutiny. His by-line (name) is always on it, for praise or for blame. Each article should be written as understandable as possible.
Some writers attempt to write as a professor giving a lecture; using words that need a dictionary to understand. One editor told me, “Many columnists confuse depth with ambiguity.” I place George Will in this category. He often has a good idea or two but he camouflages his ideas with ambiguities.
Columnists like Erma Bombeck wrote articles in what I call an “eclectic genre” style. She could not be pinned down. So with Andy Rooney. Not so with George Will. He’s predictable. Politics or baseball.
I prefer the styles of Erma and Andy. With my background as a minister, therapist, traveler, magician and comic, they provide a plethora of resource material for my articles. The major themes are: motivation, controversial, Bible, travel, general interest and humor.
As an eighty three year old retiree, I consider it an honor to be a minor part of the endless line of newspaper essayists. May our tribe increase.
Amen. Selah. So be it.
Essayists
WORDS TO THINK ABOUT:
G. W. Abersold Ph.D