Description

The purpose of The Dark Art of Description is to help readers understand how easy it is to describe things. Often times as writers we stress too much over word choice and how to describe something particular in our writing. It becomes a process that we dread. Did I use the right word? Does this sound right? Question after question ringing in the back of our minds. Hampl makes it clear that we as writers need to relax and let the writing come out of us instead of forcing it out. Word choice is less of a choice and more of a feeling, so let it flow.

The last few paragraphs are there so that she can show the reader how easy "the dark art of description" can be. There are no big fancy words or superflous explanations. Just simple yet eloquent descriptions. It is her way of easing the reader into the idea that it isn't as hard as it seems. Just go with the flow and write what you know.

Bring It On

I think that the use of the chapters about Walt and himself were effective in supporting Krakauer's argument that Chris was not just some crazy kid who wandered into the Alaskan wilderness. These chapters show why Chris separated himself from people and that he is not the only one to put his life in severe danger at a young age. In this sense it was effective.

These chapters however did not change my opinion that Chris should not have lived the life that he did. OK, his father was a messed up guy but that does not give Chris the right to avoid all people. And as for Krakauer, I don't care what he did. He knew what he was getting himself into. Although he did go alone which wasn't smart, but it does not effect how I see Chris.