It is no secret that when one is considering writing for publication, one should use one’s imagination to see one’s audience, as it were, in front of one’s self. What will engage them? This helps one shape one’s writing to fit the mindset of one’s audience, thereby using the “sympathy” of the audience to strengthen one’s position before one even begins to articulate it.
How, then, to write for the Modern Politically Progressive audience? A few handy tips will go a long way in drawing in your readers and keeping them engaged. I cannot claim to speak for all Modern Political Progressives [MPP], but I can confidently tell you that, in my experience, the “Freedoms” outlined in the U.S. Constitution hold a preeminent place in their hearts and minds!
Now, in the same way that “Freedom of Religion” means “Freedom from Thinking About Religion’s Place in Society,” the phrase “Freedom of Speech” means “Freedom from Thinking About the Impact of One’s Speech on Society.” Thus, all “Freedoms” endowed by our government empower the individual to act and think however they please! This is the meaning behind the very “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” enshrined in the Declaration of Independence!
The MPP is attracted to this very liberating approach and, as one can see by the following examples of “right ways” and “wrong ways” to write for the progressive audience, the MPP uses these liberties to expand the domain of written expression to its fullest! Also, the MPP is attracted to force and vitality! It should be obvious that liberal use of exclamation marks is de rigeur for the MPP audience, but a few detailed examples will demonstrate how to change some common humdrum expressions into forcible, impactful and creative ones!:
EXAMPLE 1:
WRONG: It is a fine day today!
This sentiment lacks force. Opinion can, and most often should, be made more forcible with the insertion of a few strategic “force” words:
RIGHT: Shit! It is a fine fucking day today!
EXAMPLE 2:
WRONG: A newspaper article stated…
There is too much wrong with this phrase to summarize in a brief “how to” posting; sometimes, an exemplary correction speaks volumes:
RIGHT: Fuckin’ a newspaper? Fuck that shit! I saw it on The fuckin’ Daily Show, where they went…
EXAMPLE 3:
WRONG: It turned out that the proper course of action was to show restraint.
(There is no way to fix this statement.)
EXAMPLE 4:
WRONG: WTF?!
While “WTF” is acceptable as a ideational placeholder instead of “that’s astounding,” or “I find that incredible,” etc., it can be commonly misinterpreted as “What The Feck?!” or sometimes, “World Trade Firefighter?!” A confusing acronym can be made more forcible and clear with only a little more effort:
RIGHT: WTFuck?!
NOTE: In more informal settings, “the fuck?!” is aso acceptable.
EXAMPLE 5:
WRONG: I respectfully disagree with your hastily-drawn conclusions.
This passage suffers from two obvious flaws: lack of force, and also too many adjectives and shit.
RIGHT: Fuck you, you fucking fuck!!
Note particularly how one word is used here as a verb, adjective and noun! Clever and pithy, at the same time!
With just a little consideration, you too can quickly prepare yourself to write popular pieces for the Modern Politically Progressive audience.
Fuck Yeah!!!
