Journal #2 What does it mean to be a writer?

 Whether or not to classify the authors of the Shenandoah National Park as writers is mostly opinion, however, after reading the arguments made by my classmates before me i would have to agree that they are indeed writers. Joey pointed out that one may be considered a writer as long as one writes for a purpose. I believe writing is a craft, to be good it writing it requires practice and a good foundation. One of the Shenandoah Park residents even stated that he was never taught how to read and write, or even attended a day of school for that matter. This could be made into an argument labeling the residents not as writers. However, even though the writing is poor and at times illegible the thoughts of the author is still translatable through his words. There writing serves a purpose, to inform the government about their thoughts. 

   To be a writer means to be able to communicate without the use of words. Because we possess the ability to read and write, we are all writers. Some would argue that these letters wouldn't be considered writing because they don't fall under a specific category. I would argue that they all fall under the category of everyday writing. I think that everyday writing is writing that is casual and unfiltered. Everyday writing is not meant to be viewed by a large audience so isn't given much thought into revision. It's this nonchalance that makes everyday writing so special. Without filter, a piece of writing can give a bigger insight into the being of its author. Through ones writing style, language, and even hand-writing we can envision the character communicating to us. It is this power of communication that  makes the authors of the National Park writers.