Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Writing and Adjectives

Question: “Why do editors say that adjectives make for weak descriptions?

Answer/Quotes: “Nouns and verbs, however, are the foundations of writing, and you should choose them carefully, rather than slathering on adjectives (or adverbs, which modify verbs). A man can ‘walk slowly,’ but it is stronger to say, ‘he plodded.’ A garden of ‘bright flowers’ isn’t nearly as vivid as one with ‘irises and lilacs.’ ”

“Once you become meticulous in choosing your nouns and verbs, you can then save the adjectives and adverbs for the moments when you really need them.”

Title: “Why do editors say that adjectives make for weak descriptions?” Brandi Reissenweber. The Writer (August 2011), 7.

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