Michael Potts's Blog: Bits and Pieces: Book Reviews and Articles on Writing, Horror Fiction, and Some Philosophy - Posts Tagged "adverbs"
Are Adjectives and Adverbs Evil?
"During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher." --Edgar Allen Poe, "The Fall of the House of Usher"
While there are rules in writing, each rule has exceptions. I agree with the dictum that in general it is best in writing to avoid adjectives and adverbs unless they are absolutely necessary. However, as the above quotation shows, a skilled writer such as Poe can use adjectives and adverbs to set a mood. Part of his skill is in his use of alliteration: "During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day..." The repetition of "d" sounds helps focus one's mind on the adjectives. The reader has a tendency to read the words, "dull, dark, and soundless" slowly and (to use an adverb) pondorously, so as to create a an atmosphere of decay and ruin. The words give me a feeling of suffocation. Lovecraft, like Poe, could use adjectives and adverbs effectively.
Yet such skill is rare. In ordinary writers, overuse of adjectives and adverbs can bore the reader. Unless they contribute to creating an image in the reader's mind, they are usually unhelpful in keeping a reader's interest. Most writers should focus on creating concrete imagery instead of using multiple adjectives and adverbs. A good image will stick with the reader far more than an ineffective use of modifiers.
What is especially grating is the use of adverbs in dialogue tags. In the phrase, "he said angrily," the adverb is unnecessary; instead the writer should make clear from the context that the speaker is angry: "He shook his fist and said,..." The reader then will pass over the word "said" as if it were not present and focus on the actual dialogue.
I have read good works with too many adverbial dialogue tags. Stephen King's Salem's Lot has quite a few, and I did not find them effective, though I like the book overall. Stephen Follett's great work, , uses too many adverbial dialogue tags. I do not know if writing in the UK has been as influenced by Hemingway as American writing, but Hemingway's advice on using few adjectives and adverbs remains sound.
This is not to say that one can avoid adjectives and adverbs altogether--that would make an awkward work. In horror fiction, which I write, they can be useful in establishing atmosphere in the tradition of Poe and Lovecraft. Adjectives and adverbs are neither evil or good per se As you write, read aloud a sentence and/or longer passages and determine whether the adjective or adverb works in that setting. If not, focus on creating concrete imagery.
While there are rules in writing, each rule has exceptions. I agree with the dictum that in general it is best in writing to avoid adjectives and adverbs unless they are absolutely necessary. However, as the above quotation shows, a skilled writer such as Poe can use adjectives and adverbs to set a mood. Part of his skill is in his use of alliteration: "During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day..." The repetition of "d" sounds helps focus one's mind on the adjectives. The reader has a tendency to read the words, "dull, dark, and soundless" slowly and (to use an adverb) pondorously, so as to create a an atmosphere of decay and ruin. The words give me a feeling of suffocation. Lovecraft, like Poe, could use adjectives and adverbs effectively.
Yet such skill is rare. In ordinary writers, overuse of adjectives and adverbs can bore the reader. Unless they contribute to creating an image in the reader's mind, they are usually unhelpful in keeping a reader's interest. Most writers should focus on creating concrete imagery instead of using multiple adjectives and adverbs. A good image will stick with the reader far more than an ineffective use of modifiers.
What is especially grating is the use of adverbs in dialogue tags. In the phrase, "he said angrily," the adverb is unnecessary; instead the writer should make clear from the context that the speaker is angry: "He shook his fist and said,..." The reader then will pass over the word "said" as if it were not present and focus on the actual dialogue.
I have read good works with too many adverbial dialogue tags. Stephen King's Salem's Lot has quite a few, and I did not find them effective, though I like the book overall. Stephen Follett's great work, , uses too many adverbial dialogue tags. I do not know if writing in the UK has been as influenced by Hemingway as American writing, but Hemingway's advice on using few adjectives and adverbs remains sound.
This is not to say that one can avoid adjectives and adverbs altogether--that would make an awkward work. In horror fiction, which I write, they can be useful in establishing atmosphere in the tradition of Poe and Lovecraft. Adjectives and adverbs are neither evil or good per se As you write, read aloud a sentence and/or longer passages and determine whether the adjective or adverb works in that setting. If not, focus on creating concrete imagery.
Bits and Pieces: Book Reviews and Articles on Writing, Horror Fiction, and Some Philosophy
The blog of Michael Potts, writer of Southern fiction, horror fiction, and poetry.
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