Week 3 Journal

The people of the Shenandoah National Park  may or may not be considered writers depending upon one's definition of "a writer."
Personally, I think the most commonly known meaning of a writer is an individual who writes for a living and has their work published. By this definition, the people of the Shenandoah National Park would not be considered "writers" because clearly, as exemplified by their lack of basic grammar and frequent spelling errors, they are not educated in the least, and therefore are not actual published writers. In addition, the letters that these people composed were not a part of their source of income nor their living, but instead were a method of getting through to the park officials. Due to the fact that they could not receive pay for their letters, were unpublished and lacked the skills of basic writing, these individuals would not be considered writers.
On the other hand, if "a writer" is anyone that physically writes, then by these standards the people of the Shenandoah National Park are, indeed, writers. Like professional, published authors, these people had a purpose which they were clearly passionate about and they attempted to persuade their audience (the park officials) to think in the manner in which they thought and to feel how they feel. These individuals gave examples and their version of support as to why they should be able to remain residents in that area, which is similar to the way in which authors persuade their readers and influence them in the way that they so desire. By this definition, these people would be considered writers because they did physically write, and clearly displayed a passion and goal with their writing, similar to actual writers.
I, personally consider a writer to be an individual who receives a source of income from the work that they publish and wrote themselves. However, depending upon what one's definition of "a writer" is, the people of the Shenandoah National Park could very possibly be writers as well.