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can we talk about adjectives and their (over)use?
as they say each to their own...and in my own case i have found a natural aversion, somewhat deterrence or simply put off-putting the over-use of the adjectives
yes they add color, that more stress or let's just say movement in some cases to the writer's projection.
in reality, just like most other things in life, the overuse/abuse can defeat the purpose.. the following articles if you read objectively might help add that much solidity to your work.
intention here is to share some tips i felt will help the interested souls
https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/nobles-writing-blunders-excerpt
https://electricliterature.com/the-case-against-adjectives-6fde3b10dfac
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/books/chapters/0311-1st-yago.html
yes they add color, that more stress or let's just say movement in some cases to the writer's projection.
in reality, just like most other things in life, the overuse/abuse can defeat the purpose.. the following articles if you read objectively might help add that much solidity to your work.
intention here is to share some tips i felt will help the interested souls
https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/nobles-writing-blunders-excerpt
https://electricliterature.com/the-case-against-adjectives-6fde3b10dfac
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/books/chapters/0311-1st-yago.html
Voltaire: "The adjective is the enemy of the noun."
I enjoyed the articles - good food for thought and digestion.
In my old college days, if a TA at UCLA came up with this I would have taken it as a challenge and wrote a paper using only (or predominantly) adjectives and adverbs.
No, my English TA said she didn't want to see cliches in our papers (I was a Freshman who was put in a class with Juniors and Seniors) and being the rebellious student I was, I wrote about cliches. LOL! She tried to give me a <D> for the class and I had to see the Prof to get an upgrade.
Just sharing a memory that this subject conjured up.
I DO appreciate the info.
Thank You :)
I enjoyed the articles - good food for thought and digestion.
In my old college days, if a TA at UCLA came up with this I would have taken it as a challenge and wrote a paper using only (or predominantly) adjectives and adverbs.
No, my English TA said she didn't want to see cliches in our papers (I was a Freshman who was put in a class with Juniors and Seniors) and being the rebellious student I was, I wrote about cliches. LOL! She tried to give me a <D> for the class and I had to see the Prof to get an upgrade.
Just sharing a memory that this subject conjured up.
I DO appreciate the info.
Thank You :)
Tallen said:Voltaire: "The adjective is the enemy of the noun."
I enjoyed the articles - good food for thought and digestion.
In my old college days, if a TA at UCLA came up with this I would have taken it as a challenge and wrote a paper using only (or predominantly) adjectives and adverbs.
No, my English TA said she didn't want to see cliches in our papers (I was a Freshman who was put in a class with Juniors and Seniors) and being the rebellious student I was, I wrote about cliches. LOL! She tried to give me a <D> for the class and I had to see the Prof to get an upgrade.
Just sharing a memory that this subject conjured up.
I DO appreciate the info.
Thank You :)
Thank You Tallen for reply and equally for sharing your memories.
Appreciate both. Immensely.
😊
I enjoyed the articles - good food for thought and digestion.
In my old college days, if a TA at UCLA came up with this I would have taken it as a challenge and wrote a paper using only (or predominantly) adjectives and adverbs.
No, my English TA said she didn't want to see cliches in our papers (I was a Freshman who was put in a class with Juniors and Seniors) and being the rebellious student I was, I wrote about cliches. LOL! She tried to give me a <D> for the class and I had to see the Prof to get an upgrade.
Just sharing a memory that this subject conjured up.
I DO appreciate the info.
Thank You :)
Thank You Tallen for reply and equally for sharing your memories.
Appreciate both. Immensely.
😊
Anonymous
I guess this is a bit of an argument between the minimalists and those who are naturally descriptive.
Personal preference and all that jazz.
I’m very aware that on certain occasions, only adjectives will do. I think I’m more opposed to cliché than the humble adjective.
Personal preference and all that jazz.
I’m very aware that on certain occasions, only adjectives will do. I think I’m more opposed to cliché than the humble adjective.
Bravo... But why should the adjective and the adverb bear the brunt of this criticism. In many cases, if not all, the noun could be dropped as easily as the adjective, while still conveying the intended expression. Same goes for the verb/adverb relationship. In fact a noun could even suggest some form of verb, and so on.
However, it is apparent that within the organism of a given work (or some portion of it) there is a natural balance of elements which is allowed by the work itself. Though, this call for a more careful usage of the adjective and adverb is worthy.
The noun and the adjective are born out from the roots of some antique lineage, where grows the seed of both.
However, it is apparent that within the organism of a given work (or some portion of it) there is a natural balance of elements which is allowed by the work itself. Though, this call for a more careful usage of the adjective and adverb is worthy.
The noun and the adjective are born out from the roots of some antique lineage, where grows the seed of both.
Oshinome said:Bravo... But why should the adjective and the adverb bear the brunt of this criticism. In many cases, if not all, the noun could be dropped as easily as the adjective, while still conveying the intended expression. Same goes for the verb/adverb relationship. In fact a noun could even suggest some form of verb, and so on.
However, it is apparent that within the organism of a given work (or some portion of it) there is a natural balance of elements which is allowed by the work itself. Though, this call for a more careful usage of the adjective and adverb is worthy.
The noun and the adjective are born out from the roots of some antique lineage, where grows the seed of both.
thankyou thankyou
i felt like i was taking a bath in a wonderfully deep bath filled to the brim with fragrant waters and topped off with bubbles
ok, first typed 'bubles' but one buble is enough, michael :D
However, it is apparent that within the organism of a given work (or some portion of it) there is a natural balance of elements which is allowed by the work itself. Though, this call for a more careful usage of the adjective and adverb is worthy.
The noun and the adjective are born out from the roots of some antique lineage, where grows the seed of both.
thankyou thankyou
i felt like i was taking a bath in a wonderfully deep bath filled to the brim with fragrant waters and topped off with bubbles
ok, first typed 'bubles' but one buble is enough, michael :D
Miss_Sub said:I guess this is a bit of an argument between the minimalists and those who are naturally descriptive.
Personal preference and all that jazz.
I’m very aware that on certain occasions, only adjectives will do. I think I’m more opposed to cliché than the humble adjective.
Welcome your presence dear friend.
True, use of the adjective is necessary and unavoidable as it is a part of speech after all and we're talking about writing and poetry here. Just the overuse is what I mean here, hence the title of the thread.
Personal preference and all that jazz.
I’m very aware that on certain occasions, only adjectives will do. I think I’m more opposed to cliché than the humble adjective.
Welcome your presence dear friend.
True, use of the adjective is necessary and unavoidable as it is a part of speech after all and we're talking about writing and poetry here
. Just the overuse is what I mean here, hence the title of the thread.
Anonymous
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Anonymous
<< post removed >>
In my experience...
descriptions are a tight rope. a balancing act.
I do notice my eyes wonder in a read when they are overused. having said that I have the same problem with pronouns, I find the overuse of pronouns very difficult to read.
descriptions are a tight rope. a balancing act.
I do notice my eyes wonder in a read when they are overused. having said that I have the same problem with pronouns, I find the overuse of pronouns very difficult to read.
cold_fusion said:as they say each to their own...and in my own case i have found a natural aversion, somewhat deterrence or simply put off-putting the over-use of the adjectives
yes they add color, that more stress or let's just say movement in some cases to the writer's projection.
in reality, just like most other things in life, the overuse/abuse can defeat the purpose.. the following articles if you read objectively might help add that much solidity to your work.
intention here is to share some tips i felt will help the interested souls
https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/nobles-writing-blunders-excerpt
https://electricliterature.com/the-case-against-adjectives-6fde3b10dfac
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/books/chapters/0311-1st-yago.html
I found the articles interesting, especially the second that goes into the top reasons publishers will reject manuscripts. How less is more, and that writing should always require the imagination of the reader and not just be served up to them on a plate.
… I’ll be honest, I can totally get behind that sentiment.
yes they add color, that more stress or let's just say movement in some cases to the writer's projection.
in reality, just like most other things in life, the overuse/abuse can defeat the purpose.. the following articles if you read objectively might help add that much solidity to your work.
intention here is to share some tips i felt will help the interested souls
https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/nobles-writing-blunders-excerpt
https://electricliterature.com/the-case-against-adjectives-6fde3b10dfac
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/books/chapters/0311-1st-yago.html
I found the articles interesting, especially the second that goes into the top reasons publishers will reject manuscripts. How less is more, and that writing should always require the imagination of the reader and not just be served up to them on a plate.
… I’ll be honest, I can totally get behind that sentiment.
Northern_Soul said:
I found the articles interesting, especially the second that goes into the top reasons publishers will reject manuscripts. How less is more, and that writing should always require the imagination of the reader and not just be served up to them on a plate.
… I’ll be honest, I can totally get behind that sentiment.
https://www.kseniaanske.com/blog/2016/2/8/dont-explain-stupid-your-reader-is-not-an-idiot
.😊
I found the articles interesting, especially the second that goes into the top reasons publishers will reject manuscripts. How less is more, and that writing should always require the imagination of the reader and not just be served up to them on a plate.
… I’ll be honest, I can totally get behind that sentiment.
https://www.kseniaanske.com/blog/2016/2/8/dont-explain-stupid-your-reader-is-not-an-idiot
.😊
cold_fusion said:
https://www.kseniaanske.com/blog/2016/2/8/dont-explain-stupid-your-reader-is-not-an-idiot
.😊
“Your job as a writer is merely to record.”
… what a perfect fucking article. *chefs kiss*
Summarises many of my frustrations with writing.
https://www.kseniaanske.com/blog/2016/2/8/dont-explain-stupid-your-reader-is-not-an-idiot
.😊
“Your job as a writer is merely to record.”
… what a perfect fucking article. *chefs kiss*
Summarises many of my frustrations with writing.
