by Jennie Ruby
Sometimes
creative or academic writers use artistic license in their writing. An
example I have recently seen quite a bit is the use of asyndeton. How's that for a grammar vocabulary word! All it means is that the writer has left out the word and
or a similar connecting word. A classic place to use an asyndeton, or
an asyndetic writing style, is in a list. To create a sense of wistful
incompleteness, suggestive of more to come, a writer might do this:
creative or academic writers use artistic license in their writing. An
example I have recently seen quite a bit is the use of asyndeton. How's that for a grammar vocabulary word! All it means is that the writer has left out the word and
or a similar connecting word. A classic place to use an asyndeton, or
an asyndetic writing style, is in a list. To create a sense of wistful
incompleteness, suggestive of more to come, a writer might do this:
- His eyes were blue, alert, piercing.
- Their lives, voices, stories were being discounted, silenced.
Whoa,
that last one contains two asyndetons! All this creative license
affects the tone of the writing. The same sentences with the word and reinstated sound much more boring and ordinary:
that last one contains two asyndetons! All this creative license
affects the tone of the writing. The same sentences with the word and reinstated sound much more boring and ordinary:
- His eyes were alert, blue, and piercing.
- Their lives, voices, and stories were being discounted and silenced.
They
also sound much more down-to-earth and factual, rather than suggestive
and ethereal. So in business, technical, and training text, do I
recommend using asyndeton? Absolutely not. But if you are being
creative, go for it!
also sound much more down-to-earth and factual, rather than suggestive
and ethereal. So in business, technical, and training text, do I
recommend using asyndeton? Absolutely not. But if you are being
creative, go for it!
About the Author: Jennie Ruby is a veteran IconLogic trainer and author with titles such as "Essentials of Access 2000" and "Editing with MS Word 2003 and Adobe Acrobat 7"
to her credit. Jennie specializes in electronic editing. At the
American Psychological Association, she was manager of electronic
publishing and manager of technical editing and journal production.
Jennie has an M.A. from George Washington University and is a Certified
Technical Trainer (Chauncey Group). She is a publishing professional
with 20 years of experience in writing, editing and desktop publishing.
to her credit. Jennie specializes in electronic editing. At the
American Psychological Association, she was manager of electronic
publishing and manager of technical editing and journal production.
Jennie has an M.A. from George Washington University and is a Certified
Technical Trainer (Chauncey Group). She is a publishing professional
with 20 years of experience in writing, editing and desktop publishing.
Want help with a grammar issue? Email us your troubles and we'll turn Jennie loose!
Wow. Just when I thought I was a true grammar geek… I’ve never heard this term; I’ve never knew there even WAS a term for this style. I love your posts. Keep up the good work!
Wow. Just when I thought I was a true grammar geek… I’ve never heard this term; I’ve never knew there even WAS a term for this style. I love your posts. Keep up the good work!
Wow. Just when I thought I was a true grammar geek… I’ve never heard this term; I’ve never knew there even WAS a term for this style. I love your posts. Keep up the good work!