I'm a listener, a talker, a reader and a writer ... all very good reasons why these quotes (by authoresses I respect) make me laugh:
"Never use a long word when a short one will do."
Louisa May Alcott
"If you have big ideas you have to use big words to express them, haven't you?"
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Personally, I agree with the creator of Anne Shirley ... what do you think?!?
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6 comments:
lol although I can certainly appreciate both points of view, I tend to favor the first quote. :)
Hmmm...that's a tough one!
I think it depends on the word. You can often find a short, precise word that "packs a punch" just as well as a long word (or words) might, with the result of clearer, more colorful writing...
(found your blog through YLCF!)
I can picture Anne Shirley saying that quote!
Oh, this is these are just perfect! I love them. :) How funny!
I think it's ironic considering how long-winded both of those authors were. If you're going to use large words, make your prose match them. For everyday writing I have come to prefer using shorter, more accessible words, because the main point of writing is to convey something to others, not to appear intelligent. If my audience is amenable to burgeoning verbiage, however, then by all means I utilize my vocabulary's capacity. Nice blog! Mine is pink too.
*Giggle!* Me thinks there's a place to use long words and a place to use short words. Generally, I use "everyday" words 99% of the time and throw in long (aka "intelligent") words every now and then. I don't think using long words for the sake of it is USUALLY advisable (although there ARE moments now and then when it's a relief to use a long word and baffle everyone! :P ), but I'm against "dumming down English" and never using a long word "because people won't understand it." I want to write for children (10 - 15, ideally) and I have every intention of using "real" words when that's what the story calls for, not the ones the state says they can understand. If they don't understand, they can look the word up in a dictionary! But I digress (sorry, rant over! :) ) ... thank you for your comment! :) I was just looking at your blogs - nice! :)
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