
In Donald Murray’s The Interior View: One Writer’s Philosophy of Composition Murray utilizes the phrase “interior and exterior views” and the word “individual” on various occasions to help emphasize the difference between both professional and student writers. Through this use of symbolism, hyperboles, and repetition Murray is able to get his point that we are all different in the sense that we have different experiences and values that lead us to becoming different types of writers. No two writers are ever exactly the same.

“I do not see writing from the exterior view but from within my own mind and my own emotions as I try to write every single day of my life” (Murray 25) by saying this early on in the writing the author is able to portray the difference between the interior and exterior view. The exterior view is more of what is on the surface, almost the same as judging a book by its cover. However, on the other hand the interior view is more of the pages or the context of the book in this simile. Murray describes what he believes the interior view to be in writing by saying “The interior view of the writing act reveals that writing is an individual search for the meaning of life” (Murray 25) . Also he uses the word “individual” for the first time. In this context Murray uses the word to show its dictionary meaning. He wants the reader to see that writing is a journey for the meaning of life the only one person can embark on. “A writer is an individual who uses language to discover meaning in experience and communicate it” (Murray 26). The author is saying that what makes us an individual is all the experiences which we have encountered and as a writer it is their job to communicate these experiences through their writing. By repeating “individual” in this fashion Murray is able to highlight that the word “individual” can have several different connotations all based on the context it is in. In his first use of the word “individual” Murray uses it to describe how only one individual can go on their own specific journey. His next use however, shows that it individuals differ due to their experiences. Both metaphors in the end do tie together in the sense that it is the experiences that you gain on your journey to find the meaning of life that makes you an individual. Murray discusses that “It has never been easy for a writer to maintain his individuality, and it never will be”(Murray 26). In this sense Murray is saying that often times individuals will see how others have completed their journey and would like to replicate that exactly but, it is important to remember that all of our journeys differ greatly from one to another. 

After discussing the traits of a writer Murray moves on to talking about the traits of a student writer. “There is no one way… and appreciate his individualness” (Murray 27). Here Murray brings up that professors and teachers try to teach students one specific way to write when the reality is students, much like writers, are individuals and their experience will differ. Writing is not a step by step process it takes time and student will be able to figure that out on their own. Once a student figures out the basic processes of writing it will be simple for them to begin communicating.

Murray uses repetition of the word “individual” and the phrase “Interior and exterior view” to get his theme across that everyone is different due to our past experiences, our values, and our journey in life. Although each usage of the word “individuals” has a slight differentiation in its meaning Murray is able to draw it all back together to tie it back to his central theme.