Do you ever feel like some books and writing sound the same? Do you hate how some writings tend to have no variation, and become bored while reading because you become tired of seeing the same structure? Donald Murray displays a very unique approach to change one’s writing strategies through his text, The Interior View. In the Interior View, Donald Murray uses his composition to teach his readers that writing is about individuality and communicating one’s creativity to the world through the writing on the page. By his use of repetition, imagery and word choice, Murray shows how writing can be is a whole new world of expression by simply changing its structure to make it more than just words on a page. 

When reading Murray’s excerpt, he uses distinct word choice to help the reader understand his own view on writing. He uses vivid words such as “hungry” and “self-centered” to convey how he feels a writer must act towards writing. When he uses the word hungry, he doesn’t mean hungry for food, he instead uses this as an analogy to convey that in order to communicate an idea, the writer needs to be hungry for improvement and success at what he or she aims to discuss. By “being hungry” Murray is conveying that the writer needs to be craving the newest piece of meat on the market- meaning the highest quality of what the writer has to offer. Murray also discusses on the idea that the reader does not want to be exposed to the same structure and ideas every day because they simply grow tired of it. A reader does not want to read a text only to find out that it is very similar to a work they have been exposed to before. Based off Murray’s argument, it is discussed that using varying structure and devices is what ultimately will make the writer stand out from others. 

On top of being a hungry writer, Murray also states that a writer must also be self-centered in a way as well- which is his second point. Being self-centered does not mean cocky though- Murray is instead saying one needs to be confident in themselves because being confident helps to get out of the standard method of writing. This also calls for the writer to be willing to hear criticism. Not everyone is going to enjoy your work and that’s okay- it is better to have a writing that stands out and risk some judgement than have mediocre work that no one will read. The writer needs to be able to take risks by openly expressing what he or she finds to be important and also by finding how he or she can make that expression shine through the idea. Murray uses the word “self-centered” continuously as he portrays his purpose of individuality. Once a writer portrays individuality and has a mindset of confidence to get out of their comfort zone, they will find that writing will be much more exciting for them as well as the readers.  

Murray also uses imagery to help prove his theme about how writing is about expressing yourself. He states, “The painter doesn’t paint colors he has seen, he uses color on the canvas to see.” (pg. 27) He used this imagery to show that if a writer tries to mimic other writers, then there will be nothing special about their writing. Not many people are going to find enjoyment in something they’ve already seen before. A writer must become like a painter and use his canvas (the paper) in order to come up with a work that expresses his or her own creativity and individuality. A painter is most successful when their work is new and different- and writing is the same way. Creating a piece of writing with a format and style that has never come across a readers’ eye, will bring them excitement just like a painting that has never been seen before by the viewer. Murray uses imagery to help provide clear images in the readers’ eyes as he explains his purpose and reasoning behind individuality and the positive effects it can have. 

Murray also uses the device of repetition to help prove his purpose. In his text, Murray constantly repeats the phrase, “A writer is an individual who uses language to discover meaning in experience and communicate it”, while emphasizing different definitions each time he repeats it. Through this, he also emphasizes purpose of explaining the significance of individuality and how it can communicate a writer’s ideas on a page for others to see. Through Murray’s repetition of phrases, he is placing emphasis on various definitions that correspond to writer characteristics in order to ensure the reader understands these characteristics well. With this repetition, the reader is constantly being reminded of Murray’s aim. According to Murray, reading the individual ideas of a writer over and over again will embed it in the readers’ brain as something they will remember and hold significant.

Through Murray’s excerpt directed towards writers, he is effectively teaching his audience that writing is about individuality and communicating their creativity to the world through their own work on the page. By the uses of word choice, imagery and repetition, he is able to express to writers his purpose and reasoning behind his ideas of what writing should be. 

In agreeance with Murray’s ideas of individualism, writing and reading is more than just something forced in school. The effects of what one can do with a paper and pen is unlimited. Everyone has different thoughts and feelings- and by letting it flow onto a page is a work of art. Writing with individuality and with one’s own mind will give the world the chance to experience new art, and come to love these works of art just as much as the ones who created them. 
