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Show t Lakeside Review, October 2, Kurt Vonnegut Missionaries, Eagles Famous Author Outlines Steps for Writing With Style By KURT VONNEGUT Author of SlaughterhouseFive," "Jailbird, and "Cats Cradle This article was prepared for the International Paper Company. In some of the more remote hollows of Appalachia, children still grow up hearing songs and locutions of Elizabethan times. Yes and many Americans grow up hearing a language other than English, or an English dialect a majority of Americans cannot understand. : Readers want our pages to look verv much like That is the bad news. The good news is tnat we pages they have seen before. Why? This is because Americans are governed under a unique Conthey themselves have a tough job to do, and they need stitution, which allows us to write whatever we please all the help they can get from us. without fear of punishment. So the most meaningful aspect of our styles, which is what we choose to write 7. Pity the readers about, is utterly unlimited. They have to identify thousands of little marks on paper, and make sense of them immediately. They 8. For really detailed advice have to read, an art so difficult that most people dont discussion of literary style in a narrower a For really master it even after having studied it all sense, in a more technical sense, I commend to your through grade school and high school twelve long attention The Elements of Style, by William Strunk, years. and E.B. White (Macmillan, 1979). E.B. White is, So this discussion must finally acknowledge that Jr., of course, one of the most admirable literary stylists our stylistic options as writers are neither numerous this country has so far produced. nor glamorous, since our readers are bound to be such imperfect artists. Our audience requires us to be You should realize, too, that no one would care how sympathetic and patient teachers, ever willing to whereas we would rather soar well or badly Mr. White expressed himself, if he did simplify and clarify not have perfectly enchanting things to say. high above the crowd, singing like nightingales. Newspaper reporters and technical writers are All these varieties of speech are beautiful, just as ( trained to reveal almost nothing about themselves in the varieties of butterflies are beautiful. No matter their writings. This makes them freaks in the world of what your first language, you should treasure it all writers, since almost all of the other If it happens not to be standard English, and life. your wretches in that world reveal a lot about themselves if it shows itself when you write standard English, the to readers. We call these revelations, accidental and result is usually delightful, like a very pretty girl with intentional, elements of style. one eye that is green and one that is blue. These revelations tell us as readers what sort of person it is with whom we are spending time. Does , I myself find that I trust my own writing most, and the writer sound ignorant or informed, stupid or most to sound I others it when seem trust too, most, ? bright, crooked or honest, humorless or playful like a person from Indianapolis, which is what I am. And on and on. Why should you examine your writing style with the What alternatives do I have? The one most idea of improving it? Do so as a mark of respect for vehemently recommended by teachers has no doubt been pressed on you, as well: to write like your readers, whatever youre writing. If you scribble your thoughts any which way, your readers cultivated Englishmen of a century or more ago. will surely feel that you care nothing about them. The Utah Department of Transportation has with granular borrow material and topsoil. In some They will mark you down as an egomaniac or a 6. Say what you mean to say chowderhead bids on a contract for safety modifications spots where abnormal roadside hazards exist or or worse, they will stop reading you. I used to be exasperated by such teachers, but am opened The most damning revelation you can make about 3.8 mile section of Interstate 15 from 5600 where slopes cannot be flattened, the old guardrail a along no more. I understand now that all those antique in Roy to 3100 South in Ogden. Currently being will be replaced with a new and safer designed South yourself is that you do not know what is interesting and stories with which I was to compare my and what is not. Dont you yourself like or dislike essays under seperate contract are modifications concrete safety barrier. own work were not magnificent for their datedness or completed Motorists should expect minor to moderate traffic writer? mainly for what they choose to show you or South Layton to 5600 South in Roy. from make you think about? Did you ever admire an foreignness, but for saying precisely what their once work begins. However, as it is interference authors meant them to say. My teachers wished me J.D. McNeil Construction Inc. of Murray turned in nearing the end of this years construction season, emptyheaded writer for his or her mastery of the to write accurately, always selecting the most ef- the apparent low bid of $775,318 to perform the work. most of the work will be done next year. The language? No. fective and relating the words to one another UDOTs official words, So. your own winning literary style must begin contract should be completed by fall of engineers estimate was $845,365. unambiguously, rigidly, like parts of a machine. The with interesting ideas in your head. 1981. teachers did not want to turn me into an Englishman tThe improvements include removing apafter all. They hoped that I would become un- proximately 28,000 feet of existing guardrail, 1 . Find a subject you care about derstandable and therefore understood. And there modifying the slopes of the road, installing about Find a subject you care about and which you in went my dream of doin&with words what Pablo 12,000 feet of new concrete barrier, installing crash your heart feel others should care about. It is this Picasso did with paint or what any number of jazz barriers at overpass columns, and relocating some genuine caring, and not your games with language, idols did with music. If I broke all the rules of punc- light poles and signs. ; which will be the most compelling and seductive tuation, had wordsThean whatever I wanted them to According to UDOTs Roadway Design Section, element in your style. I much of the existing guardrail is obsolete. By raising mean, and strung them together higgledy-piggledI am not urging you to write a novel, by the way would simply not be understood. So you, too, had and flattening the slopes of the roadway to conform to or jazz-styl- e although I would not be sorry if you wrote one, better avoid Picasso-styl- e writing, if you new safety standards, the guardrail can be provided you genuinely cared about something. A have something worth saying and wish to be' eliminated, providing motorists with more room for petition to the mayor about a pothole in front of your emergency manuevers. The slopes will be built up house or a love letter to the girl next door will do. ink-stain- Interstate Safety Bids Opened Bring Them In The Lakeside 2. Do not ramble, though I wont ramble on about that. articles concerning departures homecomings of LDS missionaries and the awarding of Eagle Scout badges. Residents of our coverage area, including Roy through Centerville,, are asked to mail or bring information concerning . these achievements to our office, 5388 S. 1900 W., 6 or Roy, or phone 2 for our Cen. terville and Farmington readers. Our mailing : 825-166- 359-261- address is: Lakeside Review, P.O. Box 207, Utah, 84067. Forms outlining Roy, in- formation needed for the article are available at our office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If information is mailed to us, please include a phone number so our staff may reach you. There is no charge for news articles. Photos should be black and white, if possible. Color pictures may be accepted, black and white is The preferred. newspaper may reject pictures that we feel will not reproduce well. A picture will be published with an article prior to a departure missionarys ea. 90 Boise Cascade GIANT Outdoor Antique Thermometer. Here's a "Giant" out of the past... We ordered in these huge 23"x8" outdoor thermometers just for this event. We made a special deal for our special customers. Limited quantity, so hurry, we an't raincheck this one. Lilli hillii words do. Simplicity of language is not only reputable, but t perhaps even sacred. The Bible opens with a sentence ' well within the writing skills of a lively fourteen-yearold: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. - -; 4. the and Boise Cascade Building Materials Center 3. Keep it simple - As for your use of language; Remember that two great masters of language, William Shakespeare and James Joyce, wrote sentences which were almost childlike when their subjects were most profound. "To be or not to be? asks Shakespeares Hamlet. . The longest word is three letters long. Joyce, when he was frisky, could put together a sentence as intricate - and as glittering as a necklace for Cleopatra, but my favorite sentence in his short story Eveline is this - one: "She was tired. At that point in the story, no . other words could break the heart of a reader as those Review would like to publish news y, 1 Page ISA 19110, ior Have the guts to cut It may be that you, too are capable of making I necklaces for Cleopatra, so to speak. But your , eloquence should be the servant of the ideas in your head. Your rule might be this: If a sentence, no matter how excellent, does not illuminate your " subject in some new and useful way, scratch it out. OFF Suggested . list during this sale! 5. Sound like yourself The writing style which is most natural for you is ' bound to echo the speech you heard when a child. ...English was the novelist Joseph Conrads third ' language, and much that seems piquant in his use of English was no doubt colored by his first language, which was Polish. And, lucky indeed is the writer who has grown up in Ireland, for the English spoken there grew up in ; is so amusing and musical. I myselfsounds like a common where speech Indianapolis, band saw cutting galvanized tin, and employs a vocabulary as unornamental as a monkey wrench. Scandia Cast Iron Stove 150 Airtight construction for controlled efficient burning Flue vents form back for easy installation Accepts 1 6" logs Reg. 169.00 169 46 174 Homelite Genie Garage Door Opener. Genie offers it all . . . safety, security and convenience and now is a great time to buy. No. GS459 Reg. $197.50 DODUG VI Reg. 199.95 Super 2 system reduces vibration Single trigger with 14" or 16" Power Tip Guide Bar Rugged 1.9 cubic inch engine (31.1cc) Deluxe hand guard and rubber cushioned handle bar Anti-vibratio- n safety-interloc- k omcxG Services are continuing in Citizens Bank of Roy. Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ALL ARE WELCOME 8 99&si& Homelite XL-1 2" Power Tip guide bar and chain Automatic chain oiling Displacement 1.6 cu. in. (26.2cc) Weight 8 lbs. 9 oz. Chromed chain Exclusive Twin Trigger Rubber coated handle bar Reg. 144.95 2 per gallon Glidden Spred Satin Latex Wall Paint Reg. 13.99 SAVE 5.00 7.99. 2.99... Garage Broom is extra stiff to move heavy dirt easily. Reg. 5.45 Stanley 16' Tape a blade that's long, strong and easy to read . . power return. Model PL316, E 133-43Reg. 10.69 , 4 7 99 1 Insulation SALE ENDS OCTOBER 4 88.12 Sq. Polyfoam Panel Insulation the weight, effective insulation panels right to in a wall, even cement, perfect between studs basement or remodel job. Reg. 1.39 SaxlS B454-30- 4 14Va"x-96"xy- OGDEN BUILDING STORE HOURS: Mon.-Fr- Saturday 9 CARE RAlN CHECKS to have in stock a sufficient inventory of advertised items to meet anticipated customer demand. In the event demand is greater than expected or an item is delayed in transit and not available during the stated life of this ad, we will issue a Ram Check guarantee on request that will entitle customer to purchase the advertised item at the sale price when stock is replenished. It is our policy 4" Aluminum Patio Storm Door 72"x80" installs over existing patio door to seal out wind and cold. Tempered safety glass. White or bronze color finish. 450. Ft. MATERIALS 2069 WASHINGTON MWE 129.95 per panel just glue these light- i. o.m.-- 3 621-776- 8 o.m.-- 6 p.m. LAYTON BUILDING 1236 N. Main St. 3 p.m. STORE HOURS: MATERIALS 376-345- Mon.-Fr- i. Saturday 8 a.m.-- S 8 1 o.m.-- 7 p.m. p.m. Boise Cascade Building Materials Center i y O--L i |