The Real Essay: Breaking Free from School's Constraints

This essay offers a compelling argument against the rigid, formulaic style of essays typically taught in schools, advocating for a more authentic and exploratory approach to writing.

• It challenges the notion that essays should solely focus on English literature, arguing for the value of exploring diverse subjects like baseball, fashion, or desserts.
• The author points out that the emphasis on defending a pre-determined thesis, a vestige of legal advocacy, hinders the pursuit of genuine understanding.
• The essay emphasizes the importance of writing as a tool for self-discovery, rather than a means of simply explaining oneself to the reader.

The Origins of School Essay Conventions

The article traces the roots of school essays back to medieval universities and their focus on legal argumentation. This emphasis on persuasion, while suitable for courtroom debate, can stifle the curiosity and exploration that are essential to a true essay.

• The author highlights how the study of ancient texts, which dominated early universities, influenced the subsequent development of English literature studies.
• The shift towards research in the late 19th century led to the integration of writing instruction with English literature, further solidifying the focus on literary analysis.
• This historical evolution explains the continued emphasis on defending a thesis and writing about literature in schools, even though these conventions may hinder students' ability to discover and explore ideas.

The Essay as an Act of Discovery

Drawing inspiration from Michel de Montaigne, the author redefines the essay as an "essai," a French word meaning "to try." This reinterpretation emphasizes the essay's role as a tool for exploration and self-discovery.

• The essay, according to the author, should start not with a thesis but with a question, inviting the writer to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery.
• Writing, in this context, becomes a means of thinking out loud, allowing ideas to emerge and take shape through the process of articulation.
• The author advocates for a more fluid and meandering approach to writing, embracing unexpected turns and detours that lead to new insights.

The Importance of Surprise in Essay Writing

The author argues that the goal of a good essay is not simply to convince the reader, but to surprise them with new and unexpected perspectives.

• Surprise, according to the author, is the most valuable kind of information, as it challenges our existing assumptions and expands our understanding.
• The essayist should strive to uncover surprises by exploring topics that they have thought about deeply and by cultivating a sense of observation and skepticism.
• By seeking out anomalies and questioning conventional wisdom, the writer can discover insights that might otherwise remain hidden.

Cultivating Observational Skills

The ability to notice surprising connections and patterns is essential for the essay writer.

• The author suggests that this skill, like historical knowledge, is cumulative, meaning that the more surprises one encounters, the more readily one will notice new ones.
• He encourages readers to cultivate habits of mind that promote observation, such as asking "why" questions and embracing a healthy degree of skepticism.
• Keeping a notebook to record surprising observations can also help to refine one's ability to recognize patterns and make connections.

The Power of Disobedience in Essay Writing

The author emphasizes the importance of questioning established norms and embracing intellectual disobedience in the pursuit of genuine understanding.

• He encourages writers to follow their curiosity, regardless of perceived social constraints or expectations.
• The act of writing itself, particularly in a world where anyone can publish online, represents a form of disobedience, challenging traditional gatekeepers and empowering individual voices.
• The essay, as a form of writing, thrives on the unexpected, the surprising, and the unconventional, making it a powerful tool for challenging assumptions and expanding our understanding of the world.

The Web as the Golden Age of the Essay

The author concludes by suggesting that the internet has ushered in a new golden age of the essay, liberating writers from traditional constraints and empowering a diversity of voices.

• The accessibility of online publishing allows anyone to share their thoughts and ideas, regardless of their background or credentials.
• This shift in publishing power is creating a space for more diverse and challenging essays, free from the limitations of traditional media outlets.
• The author believes that this new landscape is opening up possibilities for the essay to reclaim its potential as a powerful tool for discovery and exploration.