Evaluation of General Sources

Scott, Jay. "Abstract, Art, Painting, Colors." February 2015 via pixabay. CC0 Public Domain License.

I chose this picture as abstract art is very debated. Some see it as meaningful and beautiful,

while others don't see the point. I feel the same goes for the Creative Writing MFA.

In this post I examine the differing opinions and value in getting an MFA in Creative Writing. My first source is an article published by Cecilia Capuzzi Simon in The New York Times titled "Why Writers Love to Hate the M.F.A." The second source I examined was written by Ryan Boudinot titled "Things I Can Say About MFA Writing Programs Now That I No Longer Teach In One."

First source 

As an article published in a newspaper, the author of the first source I examined "Why Writers Love to Hate the M.F.A.," appeared to be very unbiased and presented both the pros and cons of obtaining the MFA. While pretty much can create a domain name with the ending .com, the New York Times is a very credible source based on the amount of respect that the publication has garnered throughout the years. The author of the article, Cecilia Capuzzi Simon, is a professor at American University's School of Communication and has been a contributing writer for the NY Times since 2004. The article has not been updated since being uploaded to the website on April 9, 2015 and published in physical print on April 15, 2015. 

Simon spends a decent amount of time discussing varying writers opinions on the benefits and disadvantages of the MFA writing program. Some credited their alma mater as the reason for their success in the industry, while others criticized the program by saying that natural talent is born, not created. Graphics were used of people writing, in addition to portraits of people from both sides. In addition, Simon spends considerable time discussing the different MFA programs offered across the country - raging from University of Iowa to New York University. No personal opinion of Simon appears to be presented in this article.

Second source

The second source I examined was much more opinion based than fact based. Ryan Boudinot, the author of this piece, used to teach writing at the Evergreen State College in Washington. His article, "Things I Can Say About MFA Writing Programs Now That I No Longer Teach In One," garnered national attention and backlash for trashing his own program and students. Basically, he said that unless you were born with the gift of writing and cultivated it at a very young age, especially in your teens, then just forget a writing career altogether. He also mentioned how you need to read a lot in order to become a great writer, which is something I agree with. 

Boudinot was very harsh and cynical of the creative writing MFA, but after reading the NY Times article it seems like it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to pursue one. Boudinot also failed to include any other opinions from other teachers or students in creative writing programs. The article was also published online in a newspaper called The Stranger  which is based out of Seattle and was created by the same guy who created the satirical newspaper The Onion.  There is only one image which has a woman being absorbed in her computer contrasted with the colorful outside world. it has not been updated since it was published on February 27, 2015. The sole purpose of this article seems to be to give a long rant about the disadvantages of the MFA and dissuade anyone from pursuing it. With all this in mind, Boudinot's piece seems a lot less credible than the NY Times article by Simon.