The Host(ess) With the Mostess Writing
Perhaps for many, the most daunting task of writing is beginning it. When all of the research has been gathered, and the general outline of the information is known, how and where does one start? One possibility in getting past these momentary losses in confidence is to consider oneself as the host of their work, inviting or receiving a visitor to engage and interact with the work. When we think about our roles in writing—regardless of what or who we are writing for—we are involuntarily bestowed with an important task as the author. The duty to convey information to an outsider and to welcome them in. To let them know that they are invited to partake in the reading of one’s work, and that you, as the welcoming host, are there to receive, entertain, and guide your guest to a greater intellectual understanding.
So—you are the writing host of an academic paper and your guests in attendance include your professor, classmates, and friends (writing center consultants). Much like a house gathering, rather than leaving your guests to wander about aimlessly, you’ll want to give them a proper welcome and run-down of your space. Captivate them with your title and grasp your reader by giving them a clear direction of what your ideas are, what you are going to be arguing, and what they can expect in terms of evidence. Other elements like voice, tone, and clarity all go into the writing piece for effective communication, but recognizing how you will use these elements to best speak to your audience allows for an effective and interesting read-through of your ideas.
Once you’ve given your guests a proper welcome and introduction to your writing, you can construct your main ideas, ensuring that your guests are guided through this new territory of writing that is your creation. After all, you as the host are now aware of the ins and outs of your research and topic. You’ve become familiar with the language and implications of your work. Demonstrate to your guests that you are the expert on your topic by showcasing your thoughtful ideas and evidence-based research. Part of a host’s job is to ensure that their guests are engaged and taken care of for the duration of their visit; therefore, it’s critical not to lose their attention. One can ensure that their guests do not get lost by remembering to abide by their original points of argument in the thesis. The thesis is your roadmap, and you as the host are the navigators After thoughtful analysis and commentary, the writing must come to a close, and your guests must be given a proper goodbye. Give your readers a recap of your writing and the most important points of take-away that speak to the purpose of your piece. A proper conclusion is of equal importance to your introduction in the way that you are conveying your final ideas and lasting implications. One may ask: What do I want my reader to leave with after reading my work? This is the opportunity to stage your argument and all that you worked on to prove it. Give some final closing thoughts and in keeping with proper acts of hospitality, give your reader something to leave with.
Perhaps you are hosting a party for one and your writing is not meant for anyone other than yourself. Your writing has a purpose. Whether writing for ourselves or for others, we can use hospitality to receive and accept our readers, transforming how we think about our writing. We invite ourselves back in through each draft we create and every story we seek to tell. In thinking of the hospitality that is entailed in writing, one can understand not only the ways we receive others, but also come to receive and accept ourselves through our writing. Through the generosity that comes along with meeting reader expectations and welcoming them in, we as the host remain a vital part of the equation. We must include ourselves in the practice of welcoming and belonging to our ideas. Through our writing, we show that we belong in the conversation. Our roles as writing host does not eliminate the experience of caring about writing to ultimately serve another; rather, we can see the experience of writing as extension of ourselves and belonging to ourselves first.