Russell Baker Learning To Write Analysis

Literature and writing can be shown as hidden talents to people who are not aware of their capabilities. In the story “Learning to Write”, Russell Baker embellished a story that can relate to high school students. His teacher, Mr. Fleagle assigning an informal essay to the students, and Russell struggling and procrastinating his work, is relatable to many students that go through the same conflicts as him. The memory of when Russell and his family ate spaghetti was the topic that he felt that he should write and reminiscence on for himself. With the lack of time that Russell had, he decided to turn in his story of “The Art of Eating Spaghetti.” Turning in his paper to Mr. Fleagle, he felt uneasy because he did not receive his paper like everyone

else in the class. Instead, Mr. Fleagle found his essay to be the best in the class, and had the pleasure of reading it aloud to the class. Laughter and joy to his classmates was what inspired him to become a writer.
Hidden talents are revealed through unexpected events or situations that may test a person’s capability to achieving their full potential. Russell Baker’s story can be relatable to some people because of the everyday struggle that students may face when in school. His situation of procrastinating to write his informal essay is relevant to my life and conflicts that I face. As a student, I relate to having writers block when I have to construct an essay for school. The description and expression that Russell utilizes in the story captivates the moment that he is in, and makes the reader feel as if we were there with him. I enjoyed the memory of him eating spaghetti with is family, which shows that he is family oriented. He enjoys being with his family, just as I do. The literature that Russell Baker wrote was an interesting text to read and connect to my life.