The Power of Writing to Heal Us and Help Us

Date of Award

8-12-2011

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Liberal Studies

Organizational Unit

University College, Arts and Culture Management

Disciplines

Arts and Culture

First Advisor

Jennifer Zukowski Boughn

Keywords

Writing, Healing

Abstract

This project seeks to showcase the healing benefits of writing about trauma or grief. Writing is a powerful tool in the healing process and has been used regularly by psychotherapists for the last few decades. The literature contends that writing, specifically in a narrative format, will help people move beyond their pain. The memoir recounting my father's death serves to display my attempt to heal through writing. The memoir also embodies the elements of the craft of writing: showing versus telling through metaphor, simile, imagery, symbolism and active voice; characterization, both indirect and direct; the juxtaposition between character and place to create tension; the combination of scene and summary to incorporate flashbacks; and the first person point of view.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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