Rough draft of Heather Brown's essayThis is a featured page

Style Rule Creation
My rule or principle is a fairly simple one to understand.
Rule:
Always use the correct sentence detail.
Avoid vague or lengthy descriptions and sentences.
Example Vague:
Don’t use bad sentences.
Example Lengthy:
When writing, avoid at all costs, both indistinct and overzealous detail in your sentences.
Why it’s important:
Readers need information and description, but as a writer sometimes it’s easy to provide not enough, or way too much. Uniformed, or over the top writings are hard for a reader to read and comprehend. (you may want to include an example of a well written sentence-kinnell)

This rule is somewhat similar to rule number sixteen in the Strunk and White book Elements of Style. But the way they had it worded was too complicated and narrow, and could be so much easier if broadened some. They have the rule on page 21 worded like this…
“16. Use definite, specific, and concrete language.
Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, and the concrete to the abstract. “
(introduce yourself alittle bit more :) I like your honesty! As a writer Williams' rule #16....that doesn’t really explain (be specific about what made you think the rule was vague and examples of how it appeared vague to you)a whole lot to me. Especially when I turn around to read Williams’ book and it doesn’t completely (line up with) sync up with what Strunk and White said. Strunk and White go into very little detail saying “the surest way to arouse and hold the reader’s attention is by being specific, definite, and concrete” (21). Well first off, who knows what they mean when they use those three terms. Who decides what’s specific? What if two people don’t have the same way of looking and definite and concrete writing? Writers need more guidelines that tell them not only what the rule is, but what it means, and how to use it properly and improperly.
Williams goes into a little more detail, making some points on the concept of detailed writing, but that can even be somewhat unclear. (great questions, but suggest more answers to your questions with explanation) (this is a good begining - kinnell)

It's what I have so far, it took me a long time to get a good idea, I will edit as I go along to make it what it should be, but please comment on what I have so far and what I add so I can edit accordingly :)



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mkinnell essay 0 Feb 20 2009, 8:23 AM EST by mkinnell
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I see where your coming from, you need to elaborate.

Mbk
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Erin.Basgall Peer Review Comment 0 Feb 18 2009, 9:28 PM EST by Erin.Basgall
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Hi Heather,

You have a great start! Maybe you could incorporate a good introduction before going straight into your style rule, maybe of how you came up with your idea for your style rule. I would love to hear more about what your opinions are towards your style rule and your reflection you have on your rule.
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sarahmorris Good job incorporating S&W and Williams 0 Feb 18 2009, 5:28 PM EST by sarahmorris
Thread started: Feb 18 2009, 5:28 PM EST  Watch
I'm trying to think of ways you can expand on your ideas in the essay. Perhaps it would help if you expalined, grammatically, what makes a sentence too lengthy or too brief.

Also, you could try to pull from other sources who agree with you (outside of S&W and Williams) or include some detailed examples and "fixes" like Williams does. Good Luck.
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