Writing Tip 353: “Right” or “Rite” of Passage
Should you take a right? Or is the journey itself a rite? I could write an entire story about the muddle of these words—right, rite, write?—but I’ll stop here.
Discussions of “Rights” are sometimes tricky. Discussions of “Rites” are often equally complicated. Discussions of why I capitalized both of those words might be intimidating. But discussing the differences between “rights” and “rites” shouldn’t be a matter that mystifies us.
Remember:
“Right” can mean correct; it can mean the opposite of left. It can also mean what is just, fair, and proper, or the embodiment of something that you can claim as your due.
“Rite” is often (but not always) used in a religious sense, as a ceremonial act or initiation that one goes through.
Once these definitions are sorted out, we can tackle the question of a “Right” or “Rite” of Passage.
A “Rite of Passage” is a moment or ritual that acts as a crossover to a new stage of life. A religious confirmation is a rite of passage, as is marriage, as is a middle school grilling in grammarian jargon that may or may not shape your excitement about the English language. This is a phrase that was first used in 1909, but I’m guessing it wasn’t because of that last example. Let’s all take a deep breath and move past the memory of that last example. I know many of you have lived through it.
A “Right of Passage” doesn’t come up nearly as much as the first. It could refer to the ability or permission to cross through a certain territory. In fantasy writing, it might include trolls that are blocking a bridge. Or, in other writing, it might be a typo.
Yes, you can get this right. Correct language use is not a rite of passage—the understanding of “moot” vs. “mute” or “hone” vs. “home” as a gateway to adulthood?—but maybe it should be. Personally, I like the idea. What can we do to make that happen?
Happy writing, folks!
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The post Writing Tip 353: “Right” or “Rite” of Passage appeared first on Kris Spisak.
