Joshua Cram Greatness, to Give it All True to the title, Annie Dullard's Essay "Push It", gives readers insight into the essence of great writing. Great writing strives to show the effort put forth to produce such a work.
Great writing does not Just come about, but rather is time consuming and all-encompassing task that the writer must pour themselves into. A great piece of writing creates insight in readers, insight into the mysteries of life, and a sense of pride in the author, for all the heart he put into it.Great writing comes about by the absolute dedication of the writer to pour himself into the writing, to give everything, to lie all of your ideas out, and fear not the chance of rejection. For great writing to occur, the author must devote themselves wholly to the task, "Probe and search each object in a piece of art; do not leave it, do not course over it, as if it were understood, but instead follow it down until you see it I the mystery of its own specificity and strength" (378).One must examine every aspect, every detail of the piece written. Each piece of each work is important, for each is chosen for a pacific purpose, whether to emphasize the message of the piece as a whole, or to strengthen the meaning of particular sentences, every word, every line, and every paragraph is necessary.
Great writing occurs when the author gives the process their all, it occurs when time is spent on the work, each written word given thought, and meaning placed behind every line.Writing should consume the mind and soul, and if it does, then the writing will astound those who read it. "Why are we reading, if not in the hope that the writer will magnify and dramatist our days, will illuminate and inspire us with wisdom, courage and the hope of meaningfulness, and press upon our minds the deepest mysteries, so we may feel again their majesty and power? " (377). The question a writer must ask of themselves, is why? A reader will ask why, so a writer must ask why.Readers, will question the very reason to read a piece, they will question the significance of the piece, question what the writer is trying to say, and question why they are reading the piece.
Great writing occurs when the author asks the same questions: the reason to read the piece, the significance of the piece, what am I as the writer trying to say, and why rite the piece at all. For great writing to happen, a purpose must be known: a cause to claim, a Judgment to be made, a policy of life made known, or a value pressed upon.A writer needs a reason to write, a message to send, for others to consider his work great. An author must give himself over to his work completely, he must give everything he has, and hold nothing back. Great writing holds everything the writer the gives, and for greatness, the writer gives everything.
To keep ideas back prevents the written work from achieving that which its author longs for it to achieve, greatness. The impulse to save something for a better place later is the signal to spend it now.Something more will arise for later, something better...
Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself is not only shameful, it is destructive. " (378). For great writing, nothing shall be held in reserve, for everything must be given and given freely. To keep an idea to yourself, to block it from shining to the rest of the world as a newly born star, shames the writer, and in that shame prevents him from producing his great work. Keeping the ideas locked away destroys the piece itself.
Great writing is the product of dedication, and work.The author cannot hold back, cannot take time off, and cannot stop. A great piece once started, consumes the author, takes his time, and holds all his ideals. A writer can produce many great pieces and a writer can produce no great pieces, the line is drawn at the work given.
An author who gives it all, who holds nothing back will achieve the dream of greatness. The writer who refuses to give it all, whose attempts are half-hearted, and whose ideas he holds to himself, dooms himself and his piece to always dreaming the dream of greatness, and to never achieving it.
