One of the most well-known names in the world of fiction writing is Stephen King. He is one of the most prolific writers of all time, responsible for writing over fifty works of fiction and six works of nonfiction. While better known for his fiction, one of his nonfiction works is his work: On Writing. The book was intended for individuals who intend to write themselves and/or those who have a general appreciation for the writing process. It debunks some of the common misconceptions about writing and describes the true meaning behind storytelling. In fact, King places storytelling first and foremost. It is in the story that he is able to make social commentary about the world as he sees it. Ultimately, King is making an argument in his book, On Writing, and in the process of doing so he uses age old rhetorical techniques including: pathos, logos and ethos.
Pathos is perhaps King’s most heavily employed pillar of rhetorical writing. It involves the use of humor and includes other ways of addressing the more emotional side of his reader(s). What is perhaps the most excellent and notable in his words are the inherent humor that he uses. He also speaks directly to the writer inside everyone “amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work” (King, 2000). In this sort of tone, it seems that he is an insider speaking to another insider and sharing knowledge that is somehow unknown to the rest of the world. It is an extremely effective form of relating information to others. The work provides serious and honest commentary on writing in a way that remains fun. For example, he jokes that “the road to hell is paved with adverbs” (King, 2000). Many writing teachers preach that authors should never overly rely on adverbs. However, rather than repeating this fact in a wrote manner, King engages his reader’s playful side which makes the work both more entertaining and interesting. Because his reader is more engaged throughout the work, he/she is also much more likely to learn from the work.
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That is not to say that pathos is the only means by which Stephen King addresses his reader(s) in this work. He also utilizes logos. In other words, he speaks from a logical approach to writing. He suggests that practice is the only way to become a better writer. Put simply, to become a good writer, one must actually write. He notes, “The writer must have a good imagination to begin with, but the imagination has to be muscular, which means it must be exercised in a disciplined way, day in and day out, by writing, failing, succeeding and revising” (King, 2000). This is of course, a practical and logical perspective. It is something that any teacher would agree with and it represents the importance of a systematic approach to writing. While he also explains the creative process behind writing and admits it’s importance, that is hardly the focus of his work. In many ways, logos is present in every single chapter because no matter the subject matter, he always comes back around to the hard work that is needed to be an author.
Finally, King speaks to the ethical appeal by utilizing ethos. He suggests there is some ethical responsibility for writers to accurately describe the thoughts, feelings, emotions and complex difficulties/settings that human beings navigate on a daily basis. Even though his works are often fiction, his characters are meant to mirror reality in such a way that readers can effectively learn about themselves and others. This is even why he jokes in his book that writers have a sense of mystery that always surrounds them. It is why people stop to think before approaching a known author at a party. Authors have the ethical rigor to present the world as they see it and not as they are expected to see it. Just because it may be simpler or less controversial to write from a socially agreeable standpoint, the artist is meant to challenge what he/she sees in society with the ultimate goal of making the world better.
There are many reasons why Stephen King has achieved such popularity as an author. Not only does he describe the world through interesting fantasies but, as evidenced in his nonfiction work, On Writing, he demonstrates his thorough understanding of the writing process as a whole. He references the writer as a multifaceted person who spends his/her day in constant assessment of the surrounding world. This assessment may not always be at the forefront of the writer’s mind. Instead it is like a running commentary that any true author can tap into whenever he/she needs it to be there. In the book, there is almost a decision point that King describes in which someone either decides to devout him/herself to the world of a writer or not. This world is not without turmoil. Instead, King speaks openly about the trials and tribulations of being a writer. It is like he is speaking to a friend and sharing both his worries, fears and concerns with them but also telling them about the possible rewards that await. It is from this perspective of the writer as a “friend” that makes On Writing such an insightful book. Stephen King is able to weave the rhetorical devices of pathos, logos and ethos so seamlessly that one does not even realize at the time that he has perfected an argument that speaks to true writers.
- King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York, NY: Scribner, 2000.
