What’s Your Take Away?

I’ve used the phrase “take away” in connection to pieces of writing for quite some time. Yet, I ran into a small issue when I sat down to find the exact definition so I could write this article. I couldn’t find that writing connection, not in definition form, not in context, not in relation to fiction, journalism, or even blogging. This is a shame, as the concept of take away is a rather important when it comes to shaping your writing. To fix this, I’ve gone and made up my own definition.

take away - noun - a singular idea, emotion, or thought which a reader possesses after reading a piece of writing.

Image by Raja R

Granted, I never saw the phrase used in such specific or heady terms. Rather, the question which serves as the title for this post would be asked during the pitching or prewriting phase of an assignment, and it would be asked to the author. The author would then respond with a quick summation, boiling the fundamentals of a project - be it a poem, story, or piece of journalism - down to just a few words. War is bad. Puppies are awesome. That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays some mean pinball.

Conceptually, the take away is similar to a thesis with one very notable exception. The thesis is the anchor of an argument, serving as the foundation upon which a piece of writing is built. To serve that end, a thesis generally has to be included in the writing. The take away, is much more flexible than that, and can be as specific as the thesis or as ephemeral as a general idea. The two areas generally appeal to different parts of the psyche - with the thesis being an analytical appeal and the take away typically being more emotional.

The concept of the take away, normally best associated with human interest pieces, then seems to fit quite well in the world of fiction writing. Why? Because as writers of fiction, not only are we interested in telling a good story, but we’re are also making some sort of larger argument throughout our work. That argument, which is generally emotional, is generally best understood with a take away than with a thesis. So whether that take away is “Rewards can come from unsuspecting places” like Great Expectations or “Money cannot buy happiness,” like the Great Gatsby, understanding your intended take away before you start writing helps to craft the direction of your book. The result, hopefully, is a more singular and coherent piece of writing.

So, that being said, what’s the take away of your current work in progress?