“Structure” by John McPhee
It’s a long essay, and I hope you have read it until the end. John McPhee is a well-regarded American creative nonfiction writer. He’s considered a structure guru. In this essay he explores the topic of structure explicitly. He suggests that, after choosing a subject and collecting research material, and well before starting to write the text, that writers should first focus on structure. A solid structure is integral to a good piece of writing—like good foundations are integral to a house, or a skeleton to a body. Even more so, strong structure can also guide writers through the rest of the writing process. This means that if you can figure out a good structure for your essay, it will help prevent writers block.
In this essay McPhee provides examples for several stories he worked on. He offers suggestions on how to develop structure. And he discusses approaching structure chronologically and thematically. He the story about computer programs he used to help him organize his research material into a viable structure. Toward the end of the essay, he returns to his main suggestion for developing structure and encourages writers to settle on a strong lead and allow that opening to dictate the best possible form for their piece.
Write a post of at least 150 words that takes a closer look at one of McPhee’s experiences of organizing a story and clearly states how he decided to structure the story. Then offer your thoughts in response to that.
Also, make sure to thoughtfully respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.
