The Modern Stylists, edited by Donald Hall (1968), H. W. Fowler and Will Strunk
The Modern Stylists, edited by Donald Hall (1968), H. W. Fowler and Will Strunk
H. W. Fowler: "'An adjective,'" says the OED, 'is a word standing for the name of an attribute which being added to the name of a thing describes the thing more fully and definitely, as a black coat.' Adjectives, then, ought to be good friends of the noun. In fact, as has well been said, they have become its enemies. They are often used not to 'describe the thing more fully and definitely' but rather to give it some vague and needless intensification and limitation; as if their users thought that the noun by itself was either not impressive enough or too stark, or perhaps even that it was a pity to be content with one word where they might have two. . . .
"The habit of propping up all nouns with adjectives is seen at its worst in those pairs where the adjective is tautological, adding nothing to the meaning of the noun; . . . Constant association with an intensifying adjective deprives a noun of the power of standing on its own legs."
Will Strunk: "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
"OMIT needless words!"
Fowler's critique of adjectives still holds up today. Virtually every writer who makes a list nowadays includes something about avoiding adjectives. But I would disagree about his mention of "black coat." I like colors. They add to the visual quality of writing. In a local critique group I am in, we are taking "black coat" as a prompt.
No arguments with Strunk. Let "every word tell." Words to write by.
H. W. Fowler: "'An adjective,'" says the OED, 'is a word standing for the name of an attribute which being added to the name of a thing describes the thing more fully and definitely, as a black coat.' Adjectives, then, ought to be good friends of the noun. In fact, as has well been said, they have become its enemies. They are often used not to 'describe the thing more fully and definitely' but rather to give it some vague and needless intensification and limitation; as if their users thought that the noun by itself was either not impressive enough or too stark, or perhaps even that it was a pity to be content with one word where they might have two. . . .
"The habit of propping up all nouns with adjectives is seen at its worst in those pairs where the adjective is tautological, adding nothing to the meaning of the noun; . . . Constant association with an intensifying adjective deprives a noun of the power of standing on its own legs."
Will Strunk: "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
"OMIT needless words!"
Fowler's critique of adjectives still holds up today. Virtually every writer who makes a list nowadays includes something about avoiding adjectives. But I would disagree about his mention of "black coat." I like colors. They add to the visual quality of writing. In a local critique group I am in, we are taking "black coat" as a prompt.
No arguments with Strunk. Let "every word tell." Words to write by.
No comments have been added yet.
