Krista Ramsey Blog Post

Post: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/02/15/krista-locking-into-the-magic-of-legos/5521245/


The column I chose is basically about the magical and captivating effect of legos. The column explains in brilliant detail, how young children are so attracted to the toy, and how this building block is not simply a mere toy, but a building block to life.
The quote that I think is best written is, "In the end, that's the magic of these polymer bricks whose funny name is a Danish contraction for "play well." With Legos, kids build sturdy little creations – which, in turn, build sturdy kids."
This line is the ending to the column, and demonstrates masterful syntax and diction. The first item that I really liked within the line is the last sentence. In the beginning of the sentence she states how kids build sturdy little creations with legos. In the second part of the sentence, she states how these legos build sturdy kids. Within that single sentence, she first sets up her opinion about legos, and then expresses it. She shows how she believes that legos are far superior to anything else, and are not really a toy, but a building block for life. Secondly, I really liked how she stated "the magic of these polymer bricks". She used a directly contrasting statement to really emphasize her point of legos are beyond a simple toy. Magic is an abstract, fantasy concept whereas polymer is a scientific, material term. She combines these terms to really show how she believes in the material aspect, as well as the magic of legos. Finally, these lines create a tie-in with the rest of the article, and bring all of the different elements of her writing together. Most of the article is devoted towards the timeless tradition of building with legos, as well as the many benefits it offers in comparison to other toys. She states that it requires mental processing, and creativity to use this toy. She also says how legos are used by kids to make their inner imagination come true, and build to their hearts desire. However in the end, she kind of makes the reader take a step back and think when she states that legos are not only a material building block, but a mental building block to all the kids that use them.

As I read Ramsey's columns, I realized that they all have a particular writing style. One specific aspect of her style is her ability to use comparisons to really drive home her point. In the first article For Better Vision, Kids Need Time Outdoors,  she writes the lines "The kid who used to walk home from school looking at houses and trees now rides home staring at a screen not much bigger than his hand. The teenager who used to research at the library or hang out with friends outdoors now does her studying and socializing in front of a computer in her bedroom." She very effectively uses a before and after comparison to drive home her point about the change that has occurred in today's society. In the second article she uses the line, "After watching New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick slouch off the field in his cutoff hoodie, it’s been heartening to see players like Wilson show up perfectly groomed for a post-game interview" to compare Russell Wilson's professionalism to Bill Belichick's casualness. She really uses this to drive home her point of how she believes that all football athletes should be professional and formal. Finally, in Ramsey's final article about legos she uses the line, "the magic of these polymer bricks". She compares the bricks to magic, as well as uses a contrasting comparison to really emphasize what she has to say.

Three Questions

1 Is it difficult to come up with new ideas to write about? Where do you get your inspiration?

2 How hard was it to become hired by a major outlet that would publish your columns?

3 Are you completely happy with your choice in a career in writing?