
Writing is a form of art that is very unique; we use language to develop our thoughts and ideas to funnel into easily accessible and comprehendible works. The use of writing has been beneficial to all of mankind since language was brought about. We use it every day to communicate our ideas, create directions, and for some even as a hobby for fun. There is no specific way to write, which is why writing is an extremely open subject. The definition of writing must be very broad considering how many people use it and for how many different reasons. According to John Warnock in his novel Rhetoric Review, “Definitions of writing vary by culture; by social, economic and political context; and by time—historical time, developmental time, and composing time” (Warnock 4).  Many authors write from their gut feeling, or what they feel suits their personal satisfaction as well as what there background involves. Typically, authors and story writers would agree that their best work is derived from their soul or gut feeling. Following the patterns and formats of other writers would defeat the purpose of writing in some cases, which is to be creative and unique. In many educational institutions, the past methods of teaching how to write have been very fundamental and discrete. This being said, many academic standards are now changing to allow student writers to follow a more open ruling and write as they freely choose to. Two authors that have published texts that involve their thoughts on how students and all writers should attempt writing are Thomas Stearns Eliot and Donald M. Murray. Both authors take two different perspective routes when discussing ‘the individual writer’ as well as what traditions writers follow. From comparing and contrasting TS Eliot’s “Tradition and the Individual Talent” and Donald M. Murray’s “The Interior View: One Writer’s Philosophy of Composition,” the reader is able to conclude what their writing philosophy is and how they will approach the writing process on a personal level. 

Thomas Stearns (also known as TS) Eliot has been considered the best poet of his time. His work is highly praised for its influential power along with his distinct writing style that is hard not to enjoy. One of his books of criticism, “The Sacred Wood” (1920), includes an essay, “Tradition and the Individual Talent,” which I have chosen to analyze for the purpose of this relative essay. Eliot speaks on how he believes that the writer must first find out more about themselves before they can establish an emotion or feeling in their writing. He also believes that tradition and the repetition of the same formatting styles and writing perspectives should not be followed, for they will destroy the individuality and creativeness that lies in the hands of writers everywhere. He states, “Yet if the only form of tradition, of handing down, consisted in following the ways of the immediate generation before us in a blind or timid adherence to its successes, ‘“tradition”’: should positively be discouraged” (Eliot 215). Eliot claims that the repetitive nature of writers who follow the work of others is not true writing at all; he lays his foundation of writing within himself and believes that all writers should do the same to accomplish their most astounding work. 

On the other hand, Donald M. Murray is an author, journalist, and former writing instructor who was written many books about writing and most specifically his philosophy on ‘the writing process’. In his work, “The Interior View: One Writer’s Philosophy of Composition,” he discusses several techniques that writers use to write their best and create the most extravagant texts possible. Murray believes that the writer’s perspective is trapped inside of them, and they must use the tool of language to convey their personal message so that everyone else can experience it. The only way for the writer to find this spark inside of them, according to Murray, is through ‘the interior view’ of writing. Murray quotes that the interior view of writing “reveals that writing is an individual search for meaning in life” (Murray 25). In order for a writer to create a work that is true to themselves, they must find their interior view and use it. He also mentions that the exterior view is how the literal meaning of the text at subject, not necessarily what the deep meaning of it means. Murray believes that the interior view is what brings out the best in every writer, and that every writer should strive to find and achieve their personal interior view while writing. 

Both texts at subject are very explanatory and descriptive while also having totally different perspectives. The different views of each author allow for the texts to be easily compared and contrasted. This ultimately encourages the reader to find their own interior view and how they feel they should attempt to write. One major similarity of these two texts and the authors themselves is the reliance and importance placed on individuality during the writing process. Both Murray and Eliot agree that traditional writing processes and formatting are not the greatest idea when writing from your own perspective; each sentence that the writer churns out of themselves should be derived from deep in their soul, not because a template has told them to develop a sentence just as it says to do.  This is important for young student writers to understand so that there is a foundation of uniqueness established for each individual; no writer or writing should be the same, because no person is the same. As the reader continues to acknowledge both Murray and Eliot’s advice, they become more self-reliant and will pursue to write what they really feel rather than what they think society wants them to write. When a writer is feeling comfortable with their own thoughts and ideas, they will develop their most compatible and diverse work. 

After researching different learning styles and techniques for learning how to write, I found an interesting article that dealt with student individuality. Research has shown that students must first find their own learning style to produce their best work. As stated in the article, “optimal instruction requires diagnosing individuals’ learning style and tailoring instruction accordingly” (Pashler 105). Once a student has found the method or technique that works best for them, they are ultimately able to expand and increase their intellect. The same theory applies to the writing process. The individual writer first must find what writing process works best for them and are then able to convey their message and create a work of art. 

Despite their many similarities in writing philosophy, one major difference that Murray and Eliot are divided by is their thoughts regarding expression of emotion. For instance, Eliot explains how the emotion of the writer is different from the emotion of the art he creates; it derives from something much deeper. He feels that the writer must create their work from there soul, but not let the work express any emotion that would distract from the true meaning behind it. Murray, on the other hand, feels that emotion should be expressed directly from the writer and poured into their work. He believes that a writer will produce his or her best work when they are truly viewing the world from their own perspective, not from what those around them see or think. Murray states, “When you sit at the writer’s desk, in the writer’s skin, you discover his feeling for language as a tool” (Murray 26). In his eyes, the writer is using his language as a tool to communicate his emotions and his perspective; the finished product is what the audience can enjoy and perceive on their own. 

Murray and Eliot’s differences are a clear representation of the exact meaning they want to get across; writing is supposed to be unique, individual, and full of open ideas that lead to change. Both authors want all writers, and especially young writers, to understand that writing should not follow any specific format or guidelines. They also would agree that being open to change in literary traditions is a great technique for conveying the message that they want to get across in their writing. The student writer should first find or create their own specific writing process that works best for them, and then let the rest fall into place. Once the writer is comfortable enough with how they develop their ideas and thoughts before putting it all on paper, there is nothing that can stop them from creating a masterpiece. After researching, comparing, and contrasting the work of TS Eliot and Donald M. Murray, I have concluded that there is one piece of advice that all writers should take into consideration; follow what works best for yourself and be unique in the process! 
