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The Persuasiveness Of Point Of View, John Brandon Keever
The Persuasiveness Of Point Of View, John Brandon Keever
Masters Theses
An obsession with the point of view, POV, as a craft element, drove the impetus of this research. The artist's statement highlights a love affair with escapism through the written word in fiction. The critical paper reviews evidence of the persuasiveness of point of view, POV, as a critical craft element as seen in the nuances of POV in The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury and in first-person testimony in journalism. While some research into POV exists for literary classics, like Pride and Prejudice, this …
Reaching For A Higher Perspective: Exploring Elements Of Multiple Perspectives In Literature And Writing, Audrey I. Biggs
Reaching For A Higher Perspective: Exploring Elements Of Multiple Perspectives In Literature And Writing, Audrey I. Biggs
Masters Theses
In three parts, this thesis for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing dives into perspective in writing and in life. After a statement from the author, the critical essay defines and analyzes a craft used in fiction novels: writing from multiple perspectives. First, the author describes the three basic perspectives and their uses in fiction writing. Next, a history of the development of multiple points of view leads the reader from ancient epics to modern novels. Finally, the author's analysis of William Faulkner's novel, As I Lay Dying, gleans a broader understanding of writing clearly and effectively from …
Characterizing The Female Main Character, Addison Leana Butler
Characterizing The Female Main Character, Addison Leana Butler
Masters Theses
The strong female character is a term tossed around writing groups, book clubs, and TikTok as something to both strive to see and critique in literature. This research paper transformed throughout the actual research as it went from a study on cozy fantasy emergence and its effects to strong female characters and how to write them well, to its current iteration along similar lines of writing strong female characters. Qualitative and quantitative data was gathered through the use of a survey that I wrote and put to the field, research done primarily through JSTOR, and interviews conducted with experts in …
Developing And Enhancing Believable Characterization In Fiction, Hollie Boyd Nelson
Developing And Enhancing Believable Characterization In Fiction, Hollie Boyd Nelson
Masters Theses
Developing and enhancing characterization in fiction is key to gaining a readership as well as perfecting the craft of writing. Through foundational information, relatability, and context within the work, a writer can create new and intricate ways to enrich their story. This then sets them apart from others in their field.
Writing As A Mode Of Therapy: The Path To Healing And Selfcare, Lolita Joyce Law
Writing As A Mode Of Therapy: The Path To Healing And Selfcare, Lolita Joyce Law
Masters Theses
When someone is plunging into a deep depression, they may not know what to do with the next moment in their lives. All they do know is that they would like the pain to stop. There are many modes of therapy used to assist people with healing. However, writing for many has the most rewards. It is an expression that allows the individual writing to dig much deeper than any spoken word could allow. Writing can help clear, evaluate, and purge the mind of negative thoughts before it leads to action. Poetry, journaling, and songwriting are just a few methods …
The Writing Of The War Within: A Study, Analysis, And Creation Of Narrative Reality, Katelynn Wood
The Writing Of The War Within: A Study, Analysis, And Creation Of Narrative Reality, Katelynn Wood
Masters Theses
In an in depth analysis of my own work, I study the use of narrative reality and focus on the use of narrative style and strategy in the works of Renée Ahdieh, Khaled Hosseini, and Tim O’Brien to transport the reader from the reality in which they are reading a novel to the reality that exists within the novel itself. I apply the same lens to my own work and specifically hone in on the use of epistolary form to communicate the inner feelings and mindsets of the characters. Through the analysis of the use of this form by Jane …
The Cross And The Crime Scene: The Convergence Of Writing As A Christian And The Mystery Genre, Ellie Talalight
The Cross And The Crime Scene: The Convergence Of Writing As A Christian And The Mystery Genre, Ellie Talalight
Senior Honors Theses
This creative thesis begins with a discussion of the different approaches to writing as a Christian. It describes the evangelistic approach, the integrative approach, and the thematic approach, which vary in the degree to which the author’s faith is explicitly or implicitly included. The thesis then focuses on the way Dorothy Sayers and G. K. Chesterton incorporated their faith into their mystery stories. It then includes excerpts from an original mystery novel. Finally, it considers the value and purpose of this project.
Writing For The Fantasy Genre Through The Christian Worldview, Angelina Rose Butters
Writing For The Fantasy Genre Through The Christian Worldview, Angelina Rose Butters
Masters Theses
My thesis proffers the prevalence of Christian worldview elements in fantasy fiction. The research findings presented expand on the different Christian elements within fantasy literature by interpreting the writing and influence of Christian authors, such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and secular authors, such as Jennifer A. Neilson and J.K. Rowling. I argue that within fantasy there are Christian elements that are either overtly or covertly incorporated. I present my findings based on these readings in different sections: fantasy’s purpose to provide entertainment, the inclusion of God to dictate the destiny and laws of the fantasy worldview, the inclusion …
Understanding Toxic Cycles And How To Defeat Them: How Poetry Can Heal, Tosha Marie Brown
Understanding Toxic Cycles And How To Defeat Them: How Poetry Can Heal, Tosha Marie Brown
Masters Theses
Cathartic writing dates back millennia. Poetry, as a form of therapy, has been used in history to nurture the soul. Its effects go deeper than spiritually, and has been shown to aid in dealing with depression, anxiety and negative behaviors.
An Exploration Of The Axiom “Show, Don’T Tell” In Fiction Writing, Tina Matras
An Exploration Of The Axiom “Show, Don’T Tell” In Fiction Writing, Tina Matras
Masters Theses
This thesis is about one person’s journey from the stringent, fact-based world of technical writing to a creative place known as fiction writing. The Artist Statement explores the author’s journey into the world of creative writing and choice of genre. The critical paper is a sample of the process the author undertook to learn how to “show” a story. Instructional technical writers provide readers with a set of instructions or steps from information that already exists. Nothing is made up, and any visual provided is accompanied by pictures. The reader doesn’t have to imagine anything. Fiction writers must help a …
Wave By Wave: A Fantasy Author's Guide For Refining A Creative Writing Style, Michael Bose
Wave By Wave: A Fantasy Author's Guide For Refining A Creative Writing Style, Michael Bose
Senior Honors Theses
Writing a novel is a great undertaking. Many would-be writers have set out to create a novel and give up halfway through, uncertain where or how they failed. This project aims to help prospective authors get past that barrier. By analyzing one’s own writing style, a writer can ascertain greater insight into the strengths and weaknesses of one’s own work and therefore help rectify mistakes one might make otherwise, or learn to see a chapter from a new angle. The author will demonstrate this method on himself first by way of focused revisions. A sample chapter of a fantasy novel, …
The Supporting Role: Cultivating A Writing Life To Prevent And Combat Writer's Block, Molly Elizabeth Hanberry
The Supporting Role: Cultivating A Writing Life To Prevent And Combat Writer's Block, Molly Elizabeth Hanberry
Masters Theses
Every writer will suffer from writer’s block from time to time, and there are two general schools of thought in dealing with this affliction: wait it out or struggle through. The purpose of this thesis is to illuminate the nature of writer’s block from a fundamental level, beginning with the neuroscience of creativity. From there, it will explore the three root causes of writer’s block: lack of inspiration, burnout, and fear. And finally, with an understanding of its causes, it will be possible to examine ways to combat writer’s block through methods based in neuroscience, personal experience, and professional advice …
The Writer’S Grit Guide: Practical Methods For Effective Writing, Victoria Renee Gomez
The Writer’S Grit Guide: Practical Methods For Effective Writing, Victoria Renee Gomez
Masters Theses
Successful writing practices involve confidence, idea generation, and productivity habits. Writers can lack confidence about their abilities or about the quality of their writing when pitted against the creative and technical challenges that come with writing. Fear—which leads to both insecurity and egotism—is often what drives confidence issues in writing. True confidence emerges from the middle ground—or balance—between insecurity and ego. Writers can also struggle to develop new ideas when the competition to come up with original material results in writer’s block. Writers must improve their productivity and follow through on their goals by developing grit. This thesis will reveal …
The Story Of My Art: A Study In Fiction Writing, Victoria J. Steelman
The Story Of My Art: A Study In Fiction Writing, Victoria J. Steelman
Senior Honors Theses
This creative thesis examines the several aspects of the author’s study and experience on the path to become a fiction writer. The author’s writing theory is addressed, utilizing research from a variety of authorities on the subject and focusing primarily on the nonexistence of rules for crafting fiction, the role of education in the life of the writer, and the importance of the practice of writing itself. The second section details the writer’s personal method of crafting fiction, focusing on the key elements of character, plot, and setting. The third section contains a full marketing plan for the author’s intended …
Veritas: An Adolescent Novel In A Biblical Worldview Context, Tessanna H. Curtis
Veritas: An Adolescent Novel In A Biblical Worldview Context, Tessanna H. Curtis
Senior Honors Theses
The secular world of literature is saturated with books sending adolescents a host of mixed signals. Contemporary young readers would benefit from literature that in some way reflects biblical truth and conveys a message that glorifies God. Such notions led to the writing of a young adult fantasy novel that introduces themes and plots that do not conflict with a Christian worldview. The protagonist does not simply react to situations around her, but is driven by specific desires that are not so easily obtained. Unlike many modern adolescent fantasies, the world is fully developed and populated by a variety of …