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Nathan Andrews
Professor McKeever
English 1010
October 20, 2015
Word Count: 548

The essay How to Say Nothing in 500 Words is not just helpful but it is lifesaving for
many students looking to write a great essay. In How to Say Nothing in 500 Words by Paul
McHenry Roberts the reader is taught but is more so lectured on how to write an essay with
passion, intelligence and solidarity. Although Paul McHenry Roberts speaks of more than just
three but passion, intelligence and solidarity are the most important for a well written essay.
Passion will make any writing more interesting if the writer can show their intensity for
the subject. A writer should take the less usual side to contrast the reader. However, the writer
cannot do so without conviction. They must be passionate about the side they take regardless of
their actual opinion. Unless of course their opinion already differs from the status quo. The writer
must stay polite, eloquent and determined to their stance. Secondly, the writer must challenge the
reader to question their ideals, ideologies and truths. This can be done by the writer successfully
translating their passion through the pen or keyboard. The writer also must back their passion
with intelligence and research to persuade the readers.
The writers job is to be a beacon of intelligence pertaining to the subject being
discussed. Although the writer may not know anything about the topic it is essential they become
an expert. Passion only gets the readers attention the research and facts are what makes the
reader to ask questions. This also leads the reader to begin questioning their knowledge on the

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subject. Intelligence is key in any form of writing but is translated through the writers diction.
While deciding what words to use the writer should attempt to use more eloquent words. Using
higher level words will make the writer appear more intelligent, knowledgeable and credible.
However, intelligence can only work if the writer refrains from contradicting themselves and
making a clear point. Passion and intelligence make for a well written essay it is important the
writer works in a black or white style never leaving room for any abstraction. I
The writer must make solid and decisive statements while providing backing to those
statements. Solid statements are essential but must be used correctly by slipping out of
abstraction. The writers statements must be black or white and leave no room for any gray area.
Also, adding support is not optional it is necessary. Support can be implemented through facts
and research. Maintaining a solid point shows the reader distinctly what side is being taken by
the writer. Establishing a solid point is done by repetition and clearly presenting that point to the
reader. As well as making sure that the point is sufficiently backed by fact.
Although there are more points in How to Say Nothing in 500 Words these are the three
most important. In How to Say Nothing in 500 Words by Paul McHenry Roberts the reader is
taught but is more so lectured on how to write an essay with passion, intelligence and solidarity.
Writing essays is not that difficult as long as the writer is capable of faking passion, passing for
intelligent and is able to decide what to think.