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Ellipsis (Kinnell)
Marybeth ellipsis rule
"Ok, just write something; anything, just put some word on the paper…any word…any…AHHHHHH!!!" That was my writing experience growing up, that is my writing experience now, and as far as I can tell, that will always be my writing experience. I hate writing. Not a good sentiment, especially in an English class, but there it is – I hate writing. It’s not because I can’t express myself, I like to talk. Period after myself. The two sentences can stand alone. KB It’s not because I can’t think of anything to write, but that can be a problem sometimes. It’s the fear, the specter of a huge red pencil, waiting - waiting for the mistake: the heart gripping terror of a grammar error – another comma splice, another parallel construction error, another DANGLING PARTICIPLE (what is a dangling participle?) I understand what you are getting at with this sentence, but it gets very confusing and hard to read with so much punctuation. KB I’ve been taught grammar. I’ve studied grammar. I’ve applied grammar…sometimes. But I still don’t know what it is. What is it, and why is it right, and I wrong (me wrong?) is that proper usage? AHHHHHH!! - but now the red pencils in my corner because I’m creating my own grammar rule and here it is: (I would seperate this into a new line to set it apart. B.Keough) The previous sentence can be revised, since it is a little confusing. When writing a complete thought that trails off into another complete thought, connect the two ideas with ellipsis…get it? Wow – that felt naughty. And I’m sure someone somewhere will say that rule is not proper (hence the feeling of being naughty) but so what. That’s the way I write. I’ve been given the opportunity to take charge, make a stand and I’m taking it…now let’s see if I can justify it.
Joseph M. Williams, in his book Style Toward Clarity and Grace, describes the problem of usage: “Some rules account for the fundamental structure of English […] Some rules distinguish the dialect of the educated from the uneducated […] And some rules belong to that category of rules observed by some well – educated and ignored by others equally as well educated.” (177) Williams goes on to say that some prescriptive grammar is: “classroom folklore” and some “are at least imperatives that we violate at the risk of at least careless at worst illiterate” and some “rules we may observe or not, depending first on the effect we want and then on our confidence to ignore them.” (170) I consider my rule a rule of effect. I like this paragraph. KB
When writing a complete thought that trails off into another complete thought, connect to two ideas with ellipsis.
Why did I create this rule...for effect.this should end with a "?" I write like I think. That is my style. Some may say it is too lax – too informal, and for an academic paper it is. Try "say it is too relaxed, too informal -- and for an academic paper is it -- but... KB But for a commentary, an observation, an expression – it is proper writing, for me. It is my voice (and for what it is worth, my thoughts trail of and then "more start" instead of another starts.) If you talk to me, you know that, perhaps you despise that, but you definitely know that, but if I write and I deny my voice, then you don’t hear me. maybe reword the previous sentence for clarity Now, Strunk and White may call that concept arrogance, and they may be right. They recommend in their book “Elements of Style, “Do not affect a breezy manner” for example they state: “The breezy style is often the work of an egocentric, the person who imagines that everything that comes to mind is of general interest and that uninhibited prose creates high spirits and carries the day” perhaps, but I think Williams my (may) disagree.
"Ok, just write something; anything, just put some word on the paper…any word…any…AHHHHHH!!!" That was my writing experience growing up, that is my writing experience now, and as far as I can tell, that will always be my writing experience. I hate writing. Not a good sentiment, especially in an English class, but there it is – I hate writing. It’s not because I can’t express myself, I like to talk. Period after myself. The two sentences can stand alone. KB It’s not because I can’t think of anything to write, but that can be a problem sometimes. It’s the fear, the specter of a huge red pencil, waiting - waiting for the mistake: the heart gripping terror of a grammar error – another comma splice, another parallel construction error, another DANGLING PARTICIPLE (what is a dangling participle?) I understand what you are getting at with this sentence, but it gets very confusing and hard to read with so much punctuation. KB I’ve been taught grammar. I’ve studied grammar. I’ve applied grammar…sometimes. But I still don’t know what it is. What is it, and why is it right, and I wrong (me wrong?) is that proper usage? AHHHHHH!! - but now the red pencils in my corner because I’m creating my own grammar rule and here it is: (I would seperate this into a new line to set it apart. B.Keough) The previous sentence can be revised, since it is a little confusing. When writing a complete thought that trails off into another complete thought, connect the two ideas with ellipsis…get it? Wow – that felt naughty. And I’m sure someone somewhere will say that rule is not proper (hence the feeling of being naughty) but so what. That’s the way I write. I’ve been given the opportunity to take charge, make a stand and I’m taking it…now let’s see if I can justify it.
Joseph M. Williams, in his book Style Toward Clarity and Grace, describes the problem of usage: “Some rules account for the fundamental structure of English […] Some rules distinguish the dialect of the educated from the uneducated […] And some rules belong to that category of rules observed by some well – educated and ignored by others equally as well educated.” (177) Williams goes on to say that some prescriptive grammar is: “classroom folklore” and some “are at least imperatives that we violate at the risk of at least careless at worst illiterate” and some “rules we may observe or not, depending first on the effect we want and then on our confidence to ignore them.” (170) I consider my rule a rule of effect. I like this paragraph. KB
When writing a complete thought that trails off into another complete thought, connect to two ideas with ellipsis.
Why did I create this rule...for effect.this should end with a "?" I write like I think. That is my style. Some may say it is too lax – too informal, and for an academic paper it is. Try "say it is too relaxed, too informal -- and for an academic paper is it -- but... KB But for a commentary, an observation, an expression – it is proper writing, for me. It is my voice (and for what it is worth, my thoughts trail of and then "more start" instead of another starts.) If you talk to me, you know that, perhaps you despise that, but you definitely know that, but if I write and I deny my voice, then you don’t hear me. maybe reword the previous sentence for clarity Now, Strunk and White may call that concept arrogance, and they may be right. They recommend in their book “Elements of Style, “Do not affect a breezy manner” for example they state: “The breezy style is often the work of an egocentric, the person who imagines that everything that comes to mind is of general interest and that uninhibited prose creates high spirits and carries the day” perhaps, but I think Williams my (may) disagree.
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| tbcollum | Peer Review | 0 | Feb 20 2009, 1:05 PM EST by tbcollum | ||
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Thread started: Feb 20 2009, 1:05 PM EST
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Hi,
Overall, I thought your paper was good. I like all of the humor you included and it definitely isn't dull. However, I think you need to have a better balance of humor and formal writing. It seems like you are undermining your paper a little bit by not being as formal as you should for this kind of paper. Also, you should include more about the process you went through to pick this particular style rule. Is this one of your biggest struggles as a writer, or was this just one of the more interesting rules to you? Great start though! (my observations are in the green) |
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| jessicabrin | Using ellipsis | 0 | Feb 18 2009, 4:22 PM EST by jessicabrin | ||
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Thread started: Feb 18 2009, 4:22 PM EST
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I decided to read this essay because I was really interested in your topic. I use ellipses frequently in my informal writing (text messages, message board posts, some casual emails, etc) and was curious about what you had to say. Overall, I think you have a good concept, but I wonder if you could morph this piece so it is more focused on integrating your rule into conventional writing situations. It is important that individual voices be heard through writing, but I wonder if there is a way to convey this rule in a way that is more conducive to a college or professional setting. If an author's voice or style is too far beyond the conventions of professional writing, it will not be well received and this can keep the writer's voice or message from being heard. This relates to Strunk and White's admonition to "prefer the standard to the offbeat (pg 81)" Can you find a way to incorporate ellipses and your own voice into a more conventional setting? This process would be really beneficial for us to read about.
Another question I have for you is how your rule considers other uses of the ellipsis. It is often used to indicate the omission of a word or group of words. How do you plan on explaining the different uses of this writing convention so it doesn't end up confusing people when used? You have some interesting artistic ideas here. Good luck! Good luck! |
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| KyleBegley | Peer edits | 0 | Feb 18 2009, 1:51 PM EST by KyleBegley | ||
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Thread started: Feb 18 2009, 1:51 PM EST
Watch
I like the idea of going at this from the standpoint of a person who hates writing. It made for an interesting read. I think you can use more content, and split this up into more paragraphs etc. I made a few comments on sentence structure to try to make it a bit less confusing. Good start!
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