So, basically, do you happen to have a preferred set of words, or a word you like to use all the time? How about idioms, phrases, and all that playful array of blablabla that you always use to denote or point out some things in a certain post or topic? Well, we all do that, but sometimes it shows up way too much in the posts that the people who read notice them too well. That’s the start of BLOGOMANNERISMS: words we always use like a habit.
Of course, I’m no exception to this rule. Like, you’ll hear me saying “shit”, “fuck”, “crap”, “ass” 85% of the time! Of course it’s bad, everybody knows it’s bad, your parents might think it’s bad, etc. But like I said, it’s a habit that’s hard to break. Try to withstand not doing it and you’ll suffer into writing blocks or mental withdrawals on words you want to use in substitute of the word/s or phrase/s in question, though in my case, the substitutes wouldn’t even change how you pertained the word. “Shit” is equivalent to “crap”, so is “fuck” equivalent to “sex”. See any subtleness? No.
This gives people the idea of vocabularianism, where a good range of understanding and knowledge on words would generally make a move of its own when situation permits. You can call it “play of words” or something like that. This garners things easy to subdue when sometimes, people would usually use “strong” words to denote these. An example is to use “harass” instead of “fuck”. With this, people can also have a wide variety of words to choose from when they write stuff, which is a good way to erase mannerisms and habits they use to do when they write.
Then again, it’s not that it’s always applicable. There’s still the concise point wherein a writer must make a point in the shortest and simplest possible way. Now, that contradicts on how vocabularianism works, especially if you’re a person who’s pretty frank in stating piece of mind (like I am most of the time). But no, this would all just boil down to a writer’s preferences. How a writer uses the words, either as a repetitive habit or as a good way to diversify how the general meaning is perceived, is on the writer’s own limitations.
However, in my case, frankly speaking, short is good. There’s nothing bad about repeating words or using them by habit. If it’s the way on how you explain things, then that’s fine. It might become a signature expression, so who knows. The focal point is just to deliver the message, nothing else. And that, is not just a personal goal of mine. IT’S EVERYBODY’S.
Loading ...
Brevity and lucidity rarely synchronize themselves when the subject matter is hard to wrap your head around. Definitions on “short” are also up for grabs. “Short” for me is like 1000 words, and anything below that I just consider a “post” instead of an “article” of sorts. But here in the sphere, 2500+ words is pushing it.
With writing, there’s the “just tell me already” side, and the “I Want To Sound Poetic” side. Everybody likes both, but too much of the latter isn’t really a good thing.
With vocabularianism, “big” words usually have more meaning than short ones. Why say “a realization or actuality as opposed to a potentiality,” when you can say “entelechy”. Accessibility vs. pragmatism - although that depends on your clientele.
Thing is, I can be unbelievably wordy and far too detailed whenever I need to write something important. What’s weird is that I usually don’t write entries over a thousand words. Lack of intelligent content, I’m guessing.
Thing is, I’m incredibly wordy when it comes to having to writing short, succinct stuff. Yet, I tend to write awfully short entries, despite inspiration. And you’re damn right when it comes to writing out of your usual style - it took me about twice as long to write something in a more formal tone, rather than leaving the colloquialisms in.
For me… Like, tl;dr substantively I guess? I mean, maybe, it’s really, really, very hmm. How the hell? Crap.
My goal is not just to deliver the point. Half the time it doesn’t happen and it doesn’t matter too much.
Lela: I apparently try to blend in both, though the mix is quite very “unstable” since using words and stuff + making it short kinda contradicts a lot more than they blend. And yes, BIG WORDS EASILY GET TO THE POINT.
Zero: Having a plethora of words doesn’t really help if you can just use the same words in a different sense. Not that creative, but making people get your point is easily done. No need to sweat yourself in thinking if you know you prefer making them short and usual as possible. It all depends on your style.
omo: It happens in a 50-50 sense. You write to make people get your point of view and yet you stray them after elaborating oh so much. Sucks, no?
I have “…” all over my posts. Screw commas and periods.
I see it. A LOT TOO. Makes you unique though. Never seen so much of that in a single post. No bull.
I would have to make a distinction between style and being repetitive. I think it’s fine to use similar phrases or words frequently but when it becomes a limitation in self-expression, then it starts to become a problem.