Tag Archives: Roger’s rhetoric

my new sites

Leave a reply

 

I have two new sites that have not gotten much traffic yet.

Roger Smith’s New York

https://rogersmithsnewyork.blog

 

Roger W. Smith’s Walt Whitman site

https://rogerwsmithswaltwhitmansite.blog/

 

These sites may be of interest to the general reader.

There is much already posted or under development on my Whitman site that draws upon Whitman scholarship and biographical materials, often rare. Therefore, the site will be of value to scholars. There is also much that will provide enjoyable reading for the non-scholar who either knows Whitman already or would enjoy getting to know his works better. The foregoing comment applies in general to my sites. I try to be readable and interesting and also, where appropriate, to draw upon my extensive reading and research.

 

*****************************************************

I also have a site devoted to Theodore Dreiser:

Roger W. Smith’s Theodore Dreiser site

https://roger-w-smiths-dreiser.site

This site draws upon my extensive knowledge of Dreiser.

And a site devoted to the Russian-American sociologist and social philosopher Pitirim A. Sorokin, in whom I have had a lifelong interest.

Pitirim Alexandrovich Sorokin

https://pitirimsorokin.com/

The Dreiser site is both scholarly and aimed at the general reader. The Sorokin site may appeal mostly to scholars and students of issues and history connected with Sorokin’s life and works.

 

*****************************************************

My site

Roger’s rhetoric

https://rogers-rhetoric.com/

contains observations about the craft of writing and principles of rhetoric, derived from my professional experience and study, reading, and training. It is potentially of value and interest to anyone who appreciates good writing.

Of interest may be the way in which I draw upon my extensive reading to illuminate my observations. For example, current journalism (I read three or four newspapers daily) and American and world literature. Current issues related to language and usage in a political contest are of particular interest to me.

 

— Roger W. Smith

   May 2023

 

*****************************************************

addendum

I thought of something to add which may sound boastful. I have made good use of my study of languages – namely, French, Spanish, Latin, and Russian; and some German — instruction in which in high school and various universities I am very grateful for. This has informed my knowledge of literature and made possible much scholarship; and one will find in a few of my posts my own translations and readings and sources in other languages. For example, there are posts drawing upon works in other languages, and posts in which I refer to passages from literature both in the original and English translation. I think this adds to the potential interest as well as the value of my work to a broad audience of readers.

new site: Roger’s rhetoric

Leave a reply

 

I have a new site:

Roger’s rhetoric

https://rogers-rhetoric.com/

 

On this site, there are many posts about writing per se: My observations re same; my education and training as a writer; the principles of good writing (including criticisms of my own writing that have made by less experienced writers, and how I have responded; and what I see as shortcomings of some common advice given to beginning writers); good vs. bad writing; political correctness and language policing of writing; what can be learned from the great writers I have read (and continue to read); some critical comments (both favorable and unfavorable) on the work of journalists; and fine points of grammar and style applicable to writing in general.

There is enough material here, I feel, for a book on writing, perhaps titled “Proverbs from Roger’s Writing Lair, and Other Essays on the Craft of Writing.” See my post

 

proverbs from Roger’s writing lair (with a nod to Blake’s “Proverbs of Hell”)

proverbs from Roger’s writing lair (with a nod to Blake’s “Proverbs of Hell”)

 

which I think is one of the best to do and not to do lists of its kind.

 

*****************************************************

My posts come at the principles and mechanics of writing, and issues of style, from many different vantage points, and drawing upon my actual experience as a writer. In contrast to the usual freshman composition texts and writers’ guides with a lot of anodyne, boiler plate advice organized in outline fashion, with a cookbook like feel, often overly general as a result of the author’s objective of covering every question a novice writer might have.

 

*****************************************************

Roger W. Smith is a writer and independent scholar based in New York City. His experience includes freelance writing and editing, business writing, book reviewing, and the teaching of writing and literature as an adjunct professor.

 

— Roger W. Smith

  reposted on my Roger’s Gleanings site on June 18, 2019