Thread: Wordiness: How Much Is Too Much?

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I like the term 'thesaurus-buster'. I think that's pretty much the distinction- if it reads like the author was typing with one hand and flipping through their thesaurus with the other, it's gone way too far.

However, I like 'big' words. I think a lot of authors write too plainly when there *are* better words that can be used. Readers' vocabularies need to be given enough credit. And there's joy (at least for me) in running across an interesting word, or learning a new one.

The only word that is the right word is the one that falls naturally onto the page. To seek a better word is to find a worse one.

For me, I like a good easy read that occasionally uses the "big" words. It is nice however to see a word used that is uncommon, "big", or ostentatious, but has a meaning that perfectly fits what the author is trying to say.

This is just another one of those decisions you make when you’re writing and considering how readers are going to perceive things. It seems like kind of a no-brainer that you shouldn’t use a lot of words that will fly over people’s heads or send them running to the dictionary.

But it depends. On the target audience, the story, the voice. Who's story is it? A ten year old boy's or an English lit professor's? Sometimes a more extensive vocabulary is appropriate. Sometimes it isn’t. It’s kind of pointless to generalize.

Originally Posted by Tesla

if it reads like the author was typing with one hand and flipping through their thesaurus with the other, it's gone way too far.

Originally Posted by garza

The only word that is the right word is the one that falls naturally onto the page. To seek a better word is to find a worse one.

Here’s two of those typically empty and meaningless remarks so loved by the online community. I use the thesaurus all the time, and I defy anyone to pick any passage in my writing that shows I have done so.

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Here’s two of those typically empty and meaningless remarks so loved by the online community. I use the thesaurus all the time, and I defy anyone to pick any passage in my writing that shows I have done so.

You're revealing your own limitation again and trying to make others fit it. I've read many books where the writer has striven so hard to be original that some of the word choices are outrageous. It's blatantly obvious that a thesaurus was used. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson are a great example of this. The story telling is mostly good apart from some of the glaring adjectives used. The end result is that parts of the writing come across as strained. An analogy is forced rhyme in poetry, words crowbarred in from a rhyming dictionary. It's cringe-worthy stuff.

No, he isn't revealing his limitations. I'd say the opposite. First if all, he's talking about himself -- not recognizing when others use the thesaurus.

If he can use the thesaurus effectively, more power to him. I've read his writing and I don't see it. It would also stand to reason he would recognize it if others were doing it.

Ox - My comment may be meaningless to you, but it has meant a great deal to me over many, many years. I've made my living using this and a few other, similar, 'meaningless' phrases.

Originally Posted by JosephB

No, he isn't revealing his limitations. I'd say the opposite. First if all, he's talking about himself -- not recognizing when others use the thesaurus.

If he can use the thesaurus effectively, more power to him. I've read his writing and I don't see it. It would also stand to reason he would recognize it if others were doing it.

Ox's post is critical of those who do recognise it. Perhaps you missed that.

I didn't miss anything. He's right. Sorry, but those statements are just vague generalizations. Don't use big words for the sake of it. Duh.

Originally Posted by JosephB

I didn't miss anything. He's right. Sorry, but those statements are just vague generalizations. Don't use big words for the sake of it. Duh.

An intelligent statement to show what you mean would be of much more value.

No, Joe. Not a generalization at all, and nothing to do with big words. Having the right word, big or small, familiar or strange, that exactly fits what you want to say, and having that word come without the writer having to search is a skill that requires years to develop. Under certain circumstances it is an essential skill. In the bush you have no access to any reference books. You can't reach for a dictionary, a thesaurus, a usage manual, or an encyclopedia. It's just you and your pocket notebook and a pencil. So either the right word 'drops onto the page' by itself, or you struggle to figure out what you need to say and end with second rate copy that the bureau chief throws back in your face.

There are three activities that sharpen this skill. The first is reading. The second is writing. The third is conversation. If you have sufficient command of the language and knowledge of the situation you are going into, then the right words will drop onto the page by themselves.

One of these days I'll learn to keep my mouth shut...

garza - My apologies. I was thinking more of the writer slaving in his garret than the intrepid reporter in Outer Caractaristan.