Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

When you shouldn't 'write tight.' 'Behead' versus 'decapitate.' YesHony.

Sep 5, 2023

Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, talks about the benefits of loose writing and varying sentence length for rhythm and clarity. The podcast also explores the meanings and differences between 'behead' and 'decapitate' and shares funny stories about misreading vanity license plates.

16:48

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Episode guests

Susan Herman

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Different writing styles should be used for different purposes and contexts, such as using a looser style in creative writing and a tighter style in business reports or emails

Varying sentence structure and length is crucial for creating engaging writing and evoking a pleasing rhythm, and writers can use different sentence types and structures to enhance the flow and impact of their writing.

Deep dives

Different Writing Styles for Different Purposes

Writing styles can vary depending on the purpose and context. In creative writing, such as fiction, poetry, and personal essays, a looser writing style with more adjectives, adverbs, and descriptive phrases can be used to enhance storytelling and engage readers. Similarly, in academic writing, like research papers and literature reviews, more words may be necessary to thoroughly present ideas and support them with evidence. Technical writing may also require additional words to ensure clarity, especially when explaining complex processes. On the other hand, tight writing is suitable for situations where brevity and quick comprehension are valued, such as business reports or emails to busy recipients. Ultimately, the writing style should match the audience, purpose, and desired impact of the text.

Introduction

2min

Expansive Writing and Varying Sentence Length

6min

Sentence Structure and Types

7min

Exploring B Words and the Prefix D

4min

Misinterpreting Vanity License Plates

4min

944. Today, we untangle the often confusing web of writing styles. We'll explore the benefits of loose writing in fiction, creative writing, and academic writing, and how you can vary your sentence length to create a rhythm that resonates with your readers. Plus, we use the difference between "behead" and "decapitate" as a sneaky way to talk about the "be-" and "de-" prefixes in a way every word nerd will love.

The "tight writing" segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor.

| Transcript: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/expanded-writing/transcript

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