| |
Reflections on Experience
Objectives
|
Experience, usually related in a narrative format, is one type of evidence people use in writing. It is a very effective type of evidence for several reasons. First, people are naturally curious about the experiences of others, whether real or imagined, and learning about another's experience allows readers to compare their own experiences with the one the author relates. Second, we can live vicariously through others' experiences and learn important lessons from them. Finally, the human mind seems better able to comprehend and retain information when it is related in the narrative form. Perhaps this ability is a result of, or the cause of, our enjoyment of hearing "stories" told to us from infancy on, and our historical preservation of history through the art of storytelling.
The advantages of reflections on experience are that
- authors can define themselves as individuals, avoiding preconceived images or stereotypes;
- authors can candidly and honestly analyze their actions for their own edification as well as others;
- fictionalized narratives can add to known facts, expand or compress the sequence of events, build suspense, and even invent characters to more fully explore the "lesson" or experience being related;
- readers can gain insight into the feelings and perceptions of others;
everyone loves a well-told personal story.
|
