Writing Style Writing Style

Level 2Level 2

Concrete LanguageConcrete Language

Use definite, specific, concrete Use definite, specific, concrete LanguageLanguage

"If those who have "If those who have studied the art of studied the art of writing are in accord writing are in accord on any one point, it is on any one point, it is this: the surest way to this: the surest way to arouse and hold the arouse and hold the reader's attention is reader's attention is by being specific, by being specific, definite, and definite, and concrete."concrete."-Strunk and White-Strunk and White

Use Imagery…Use Imagery…

Use words which Use words which create sensations in create sensations in one or more of the one or more of the reader’s five senses.reader’s five senses.

Human beings gain Human beings gain information about the information about the world only in these 5 world only in these 5 ways, it makes sense ways, it makes sense to engage them on this to engage them on this level. level.

Be Concise…Be Concise…

Write using nouns and verbs.Write using nouns and verbs. Never use 2 words where 1 will do. Never use 2 words where 1 will do.

The Adjective and Adverb are the enemies of good writing. The Adjective and Adverb are the enemies of good writing. There are 750,000 standard words in the English language; use There are 750,000 standard words in the English language; use

the word which means exactly what you mean, not one which the word which means exactly what you mean, not one which must be modified to get your meaning across. must be modified to get your meaning across.

Using the Using the Right Right word Practiceword Practice

He He ran very fastran very fast..

She is She is very sadvery sad..

It It was awas a talltall oak tree. oak tree.

Dashed, sprinted, Dashed, sprinted, rushed…rushed…

Depressed, Depressed, distraught, morose…distraught, morose…

The oak tree towered The oak tree towered over us. over us.

Say what things Say what things AreAre rather than rather than what they are what they are NotNot……

When you tell someone When you tell someone what something isn’t it what something isn’t it gives very little gives very little information…information…

I don’t drive a blue I don’t drive a blue truck…truck…

I drive a red ford sedan. I drive a red ford sedan.

Positive Form PracticePositive Form Practice

not honestnot honest

not importantnot important did not pay any did not pay any

attention toattention to did not have much did not have much

confidence inconfidence in

dishonestdishonest lying doglying dog

triflingtrifling ignoredignored

distrusted distrusted

Level 2 PracticeLevel 2 Practice He showed satisfactionHe showed satisfaction

as he took possession ofas he took possession ofhis well-earned reward.his well-earned reward.

She did not think that She did not think that studying Latin was a studying Latin was a sensible way to use sensible way to use one’s time. one’s time.

Get good grades.Get good grades.

He grinned as he He grinned as he pocketed the coin.pocketed the coin.

She thought the study She thought the study of Latin a waste of of Latin a waste of time. time.

Complete every Complete every assignment on time.assignment on time.

AssignmentAssignment

Step into the painting in Step into the painting in front of you and front of you and describe your describe your surroundings from surroundings from wherever you choose wherever you choose to stand. Paint a to stand. Paint a picture with your picture with your words; I should be words; I should be able to feel where you able to feel where you are standing. are standing.

The Mount of the Holy CrossOil on Canvas

Assignment continued…Assignment continued…

Assignment rules:Assignment rules: Avoid all forms of the Avoid all forms of the

word “to be.”word “to be.” Tell what things are Tell what things are

rather than what things rather than what things are not. are not.

Write using Write using nounsnouns and and verbsverbs which appeal to which appeal to the five senses. the five senses.

Touch on 4 out of the 5 Touch on 4 out of the 5 senses. senses.