Mysterious Universe: Sends a clue out the blue by Kourtney

Mysterious Universe: Sends a clue out the blue by Kourtney - July 2021 Scholarship Essay

I wrote about the best writing teacher I had in high school. 20 years later I still remember what she taught me.

I wasn't sure what to expect in my first period writing class. As a freshman not only was I shorter than most of the upperclassmen but the school felt huge compared to the small private school I graduated from. As I slid into my desk I pulled out a pencil and notebook from my book bag. I looked around and saw
one student passing a note, meanwhile, another student dozed off to the right. At any rate, I sat upright at my desk mesmerized. I soaked in every word of the lecture like a sponge. I loved 9th grade writing class. Mrs. R at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida reminded me of a cartoon character. She was vibrant and passionate about teaching freshmen how to write. She not only taught us how to write but she showed us how to write descriptively. In her animated classroom sessions I learned the art of writing, the simplicity of writing but most importantly I learned how to tap into my inner feelings and write from the heart.

Stephen King believes, "Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s." I never imagined I would be as entertained as I was in writing class. I recall Mrs. R tapping her long, red fingernails against the chalkboard. She wrote in capitalized letters "IT." She explained the word "it" should never been included in our papers. "It"  was a icky, hairy and scary monster we had to keep far away from writing. "It" is non descriptive, lacks passion and depth. Whenever I am tempted to use "it" in my writing I am reminded of Mrs. R and can't help but smile.

In the words of Sylvia Plath "let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences." Mrs. R taught me how to write clearly and concisely. When I write I picture myself walking on a tightrope. Staying on the path without rambling or tripping over run on sentences and unnecessary words.

Mrs. R taught me how to create a writing bubble map. I compare writing to a  matryoshka doll. The kind that has layer upon layer of different faces and dresses underneath. Mapping out the main idea and breaking down ideas helps readers connect the dots and innerstand the overall point.

Ultimately, Mrs. R is the first person who planted a writing seed in my psyche. Over time the seed has grown and blossomed. Frances Hodgson Burnett said, "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” Books are gardens and when we read writings we can see the world through the garden of words. In closing, I will never forget what you have done, Mrs. R.