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Writing Samples


The beginning for a writer is the journal. I say this because it is the testing grounds for all your styles and ideas. If you do not keep a journal, it will be hard for you to be a good writer in almost any field.

You should write a little every day if you want to cultivate your literary skills. That's the beauty of a journal... because you don't need a revolutionary idea or original thought to write a successful entry into your journal. Other types of writing are not as forgiving; when you write poetry when you don't feel poetic or a story when you don't feel inspired, you will likely not turn out highly artistic words.


Featured Articles

Good Memories from the Badlands

Posted on May 31, 2021 | Last Updated Jun 1, 2021
Shawn Hiking in Killdeer

Photos from my trip to Killdeer and Medora in Western North Dakota.

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killdeer, medora, badlands, north dakota, photos, animals, landscape

Latest Articles

Role Playing Games

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

The fear of role playing games is ridiculous. Many people think that role playing is evil. I think it is a great outlet that can encourage kids to think and analyze and be creative.

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role playing games, dungeons and dragons

The Paradox of Cultural Relativism

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

An skeptical essay on the paradox of cultural relativism when taken to an extreme. My stance is that cultural relativism is only valid in a limited scope and should not be used to justify barbaric and supertitious societies.

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cultural relativism, paradoxical relativism

In the end

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

A poem on the end of everything.

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end, armageddon poem

Politics from the Porch

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

People wonder what the value of politics is. Inclusion in history, that's the value.

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local politics

My Experience at Westland High School

How an honor-roll student can lose heart and drop out
Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

An overview of Shawn Olson's experience at Westland High School.

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westland high school, student teacher conflict, smart kid, honor roll, drop out, dropout

Some observations on smokers

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

You can't argue with people who are addicted to cigarettes.

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smokers, addiction, cigarettes, nicotein

Society's sentiment towards evolution

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

People argue against evolution all the time when they've never read about it.

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anti-evolutionism, evolution, evolutionary misconceptions

Who is she

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

A poem about a father who abandoned his daughter almost 30 years ago.

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poem, poetry, absentee parent, absentee father, deadbeat father

Subjects in the Classroom and Life

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

A discussion on the utilitarian value of the subjects our schools teach. This editorial on education was one of the last pieces Shawn Olson printed as a Messenger writer.

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educational subjects, subject relevance in education

My feelings on God

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

My personal views on God.

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agnostic, agnosticism, atheism, god, religion debate

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