Exceptional writing continues expressions fundamental to history, culture, the present, and the future.  Exceptional writing learns from a specific, yet universal worldview, and lives-out those expressions in the heat of a historical moment. 

Exceptional writers hold two “elements of style” in common. They explain what others do not see in their context (authors dream), and they do so with well-chosen words. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, in my opinion, with these perceptions.

Education and worldview determine an author or speech writer’s emphasis. King did not graduate from high school. He passed the Morehouse College entrance exam qualifying him to enter college. At Morehouse, College, professors told Luther to “seek truth”. 

During years of study, Martin Luther King, Jr. found the power of truth and freedom in the writing of Mahatma Gandhi and the forceful and effective words of Henry David Thoreau’s, “Civil Disobedience”.  Perhaps Jesus‘ words, inextricably personal, inspired the theme of King’s, “I Have A Dream” speech. Jesus says, when “…living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:32)

Whether Gandhi, Thoreau, the Christ, or you and I, words belong to their author. Each understands personal responsiblity and the obligation of affect. They could veer or adhere to the truth. When an author’s thoughts skew or eschew eternal truths, manipulation and self-aggrandizing inevitably distract and destroy. 

An author’s commitment to truth faces tests at all levels. Enemies of truth attack the message, and when eluded, they kill the messenger. Ghandi died of a gun shot wound. Thoreau died of a mortal cold caught when counting tree-rings in December of 1860. Jesus died by crucifixtion. Each man inspired the thought, character, and action of King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. understood that truth matters because without truth no eternal principle brings hope or change. Every great writer (there aren’t many in our proxlixic age) has moments when words flow like a river, or drip like a leaking faucet. No matter how the words appear, authors, blog-writers, article-writers, journalists, professors, or local cub-reporters must realize that words imprison or set free, give life or take life.

Martin Luther King, Jr. studied history, the failures of government and culture, the call to keep promises made to all, and the “urgency of the moment”. Each point of the “I Have a Dream” speech emphasizes the importance of historical precedent (good or evil), the short-falls of injustice, and the unparalleled power of words.  

Writing doesn’t take too much courage. Heck, you can post a lot of drivel on the Internet. No one may read a word, but you get to express yourself.

Billions of words appear daily on the Internet. Some words inspire change and major paradigm shifts. Some face the wrath and doom of Alexa and Google.

Lots of palaverous politicing has been expressed lately. Some of those “rhetorical flourishes” are worth hearing.

Clearly, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign inspired a pivotal transformation in U.S. politics. History will educate us about the impact of this political metamorphosis on Pennsylvania Avenue brings to the Main Streets of America.

Imagine the courage or chutzpah Barack Obama garnered when choosing to become the president of the United States. Dissuasion would come from every quadrant of his life. Nothing thwarted his intention; failure was not an option. But most importantly, he was not afraid to fail, nor were any of the other many candidates.

Here are a few observations about our president-elect analogous to writing.

1. He’s cool.

He does not seem to hide. He appears “comfortable in his skin”, and he’s not afraid to declare what matters to him. I’m not naive; politicians express themselves to achieve a purpose, but after two years, we’ve become accustomed to his face. What this may indicate is a man who knows where he’s going.

Writers must possess the same clarity. Where are you going with this article? What is the point? What difference will it make? These themes resonated in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign strategy. He knew where he was going.

2. He’s intelligent.

Dr. Seuss wrote intelligent books too. One of my favorites is “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. This one has a little star, this one has a little car.” Dr. Seuss makes the difficult simple, colorful, and lively.

Not many attend Columbia or Harvard Law School. Mr. Obama considers this a privilege that his mom and grandmother both encouraged and pushed him toward. As you may remember, his mother awakened Barack at 4:30 in the morning to tutor him. That’s commitment for both of them.  

3. He’s willing to sell himself to us.

The crowds around Barack Obama made other candidate events look like high school reunions. Voters crowded themselves to hear his message. He’s not a god, but he certainly created enthusiasm. I think he’s  affective because he believes in himself, and he’s the product.

Look at all the better blog writers, Internet article writers, or copywriters. Each has similar approaches to get results, but each distinguishes themselves with the unique personality of their message. They know themselves, and they parade their strengths. Writers should do likewise.

William Zinsser writes, “Ultimately the product that any writer has to sell is not the subject being written about, but who he or she is. I often find myself reading with interest about a topic I never thought would interest me….What holds me is the enthusiasm of the writer for his field….This is the personal transaction…. Out of it come two of the most important qualities…humanity and warmth.”
(On Writing Well, William Zinsser, 2001, p5)

Learning to write with human warmth, caring, and kindness are the most basic and essential rudiments to good writing.