Blog on the Essays: Finding a balance between open and closed form

     The blurring of the lines between open and closed form is easiest to spot in The Sociology of Suds. The author, by using interview research, is able to go from providing facts and opinions in closed form prose to providing a more open form feel by incorporating the words of those that he interviews. Are We Losing Our Edge does something similar in that it goes back and fourth from providing facts and data to providing thoughts backed up by what members of the research and development community have to say about his argument. While I generally prefer an open formed approach to writing because of my creative writing bent, I can see the merit of writing in closed form prose with elements of open for work or school related projects. These articles, by giving a voice to the community which they are discussing, are able to are able to make the issue at hand more personal to the audience.