Using language with precision

Twisting maxim that a gentleman's manner are such that he does not give offense, noted playwright, novelist, and wit Oscar Wilde spoke the obverse: "A gentleman is a man who never gives offense unintentionally."

Of course, he meant that a gentleman who gives offense does so intentionally. If a gentleman insults you, it's not an accident.

In one of his recorded specials, comedian Ron White related a story of an early visit to New York City and being thrown out of a bar. He ended the anecdote with "I didn't know how many it would take to whip my ass, but I knew how many they were gonna use."

The implication, of course, was that the patrons of that establishment were not above going beyond what was necessary to thrash him.

Wilde, White, and others who took full advantage of language knew the power of speaking with precision. Speaking with precision does not refer to bashing someone about the head and shoulders, using words like a blunt instrument to convey meaning. Combining language with nuance elevates words and layers meaning.

Oftentimes, quips using precise language take a few seconds to detonate. The laughter begins when the meaning sinks in. It's a more sophisticated wit, one that requires a bit of thinking. And it's funny.

One of the beauties of vocabulary is its ability to deliver meaning with precision without blatant expression. Plain, straightforward speaking has its place (like annual business reports), but it seldom makes for good storytelling.

The concept of good storytelling often leads to a misconception focusing on grammar. Don't get me wrong: copy editing is necessary. A manuscript littered with spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors is difficult to read. Many times, such a manuscript simply doesn't make sense. That's what proper grammar does: it helps the reader make sense of the written word.

Good writing often relies on the writer following correct language conventions to ensure the reader comprehends what he or she writes. However, good storytelling focuses more on the effective use of language which may deviate from language conventions. These deviations take the form of sentence fragments, blatantly incorrect grammar, and precise word choice.

Consider the following synonyms for walk: sashay, saunter, stroll. Each of those synonyms carries a subtly different meaning, but none occur at a gait faster than a walk.

Precision in language involves nuance, too. Consider irony, satire, sarcasm. Again, subtle distinctions vary their meanings as well as their purposes.

Precision in language need not require an extensive vocabulary filled with esoteric words only the literary elite may understand. While having a wide vocabulary helps the writer find the one right word that means what he or she wants to say, the writer must balance that with the average comprehension of his or her intended audience. That consideration also influences effective word choice: eschew obfuscation or avoid ambiguity.

A competent writer understands and uses the language appropriate to the intention. That writer understands the conventions that govern proper use of language and knows how, when, and why to break those conventions to their best effect. Having a good idea for a story—and perhaps detailed plot, too—doesn't necessarily confer the skill to tell that story effectively.

This is where a ghostwriter comes in to write your story better. It's still your story, but better.

Every word counts.

#henhousepublishing #ghostwriting #storytelling #fictionwriting