SHARMA's BLOG: IMPORTANCE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS

SHARMA's BLOG: IMPORTANCE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS: IMPORTANCE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS Idioms, maxims, and proverbs are specimens of language in its crystalline form. These are oft...

IMPORTANCE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS

IMPORTANCE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS

Idioms, maxims, and proverbs are specimens of language in its crystalline form. These are often compared to the glittering diamonds in a gold necklace.
These are used to express feelings, thoughts, and ideas in a succinct, effective and attractive way. Normally a matter that requires several sentences or a whole paragraph may be expressed in 2 or 3 words. The combination of these words has meanings that are far removed from its literal meanings. For example, when it is said, „In a nutshell‟, it means saying in a few words. When someone feels that the Government machinery moves at „a snail pace‟, he means that there are usual bureaucratic delays that send people „from pillar to post‟. One can „cut the long story short‟ and simply say „red tape‟.
If a person can build up a good repertory of idioms, maxims, proverbs, and quotations and then recollect them to suit the occasion, he is already well on his way to becoming a good writer and/or a good speaker.

SHARMA's BLOG: ROLE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS

SHARMA's BLOG: ROLE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS: ROLE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS Use of idioms, maxims and proverbs help in embellishing style of communication. However, we have to...

ROLE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS

ROLE OF IDIOMS, MAXIMS, AND PROVERBS

Use of idioms, maxims and proverbs help in embellishing style of communication. However, we have to learn to use them judiciously and with deep understanding;

(1) Idiom
It is an accepted phrase, construction or expression in a language. However, it may be contrary to the usual pattern of a language and has meanings that are different from the literal ones. It can often be a peculiar phraseology, a dialect or a language.

(2) Maxim
It is a concisely expressed principle or rule of conduct and is a statement of general truth or precept.

(3) Proverb
It is a short saying in common use that strikingly expresses a maxim. It is an enigmatical saying in which a profound truth is cloaked or hidden.
For details, refer to various examples given in the following paragraphs.

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE Varying sentence patterns Varying sentence patterns impart variety and make the sentence reading interest...

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

Varying sentence patterns

Varying sentence patterns impart variety and make the sentence reading interesting and invites the attention of the readers. A few rules worthy of emulation are:

(i) The varying length of sentences

Readability experts are of the opinion that the length of a sentence should not exceed 20 words (average being16 to 18 words) for the most effective communication. It is a good rule of thumb. Experienced communicators suggest that the length of the sentence should vary. An occasional long sentence is acceptable if it is followed by a shorter one.

(ii) Varying construction of sentences

There are four types of sentences:
 Simple
 Compound
 Complex
 Compound-complex

Following tips are useful:
(a) If two or more sentences have the same idea, combine them into one simple sentence with a compound verb.
(b) If two thoughts are of equal or parallel weight, write them as two clauses in a compound sentence.
(c) If one thought is more important than the other, put it in the main clause of a complex sentence.

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE Making every word count Writers must always be sincere to their readers. One should never cheat them. Whe...

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

Making every word count

Writers must always be sincere to their readers. One should never cheat them. When readers read the message, they are really looking for ideas, thoughts, and meanings. A few tips are:

(i) Making each word advance your thoughts
Following example is illustrative:
Wordy / Verbose Concise (Improved)
„The following statistical data would serve „Statistics show the
to give a good idea of the cost of production‟ cost of production‟
Look for every superfluous word and eliminate it. It will save customers‟ effort.

(ii) Consolidating thoughts
Writers can do several things to pack a sentence by combining, summarizing and consolidating thoughts succinctly.

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE .....contd

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE .....contd: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE .....contd Keeping sentences brief One can achieve brevity by dividing complex sentences into small, bite...

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE .....contd

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE .....contd

Keeping sentences brief

One can achieve brevity by dividing complex sentences into small, bite-size ones. Writers must avoid unnecessary words and phrases. Needless repetition and elaborations must be deleted. A few suggestions are:
(i) Using strong verbs
Words are strongest in the verb form. Strong verbs liven up and electrify the sentence. The strong verbs add action to thoughts.
(ii) Using active forms
The active form is always preferable to a passive form of a sentence. It gives ones‟ writing a sense of energy, vitality, and motion. In passive form, the actor in the sentence is not allowed to act and the verbs are made weak and feeble. Before using a passive form, make sure that there is a strong justification for it.
(iii) Changing long modifiers to shorter ones
It enhances the readability and comprehension of the thought process.

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE.....contd

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE.....contd: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE.....contd Making meaning clear Knowledge and application of various rules of grammar help us to focus the...

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE.....contd

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE.....contd

Making meaning clear

Knowledge and application of various rules of grammar help us to focus the readers on the meanings we wish to convey. Once writers have clarity about an issue, grammar would take care of the conveyance of correct meanings. This involves the followings:
(i) Emphasizing the main idea
This can be ensured by:
(a) Using devices like capital letters, italics or blocking in word processing and printing. Using headings, inverted commas and other punctuations are also be helpful.
(b) Placing the idea effectively in a sentence. The most emphatic place is at the beginning of a sentence; the next best is placing it at the end and the least important place is putting it anywhere in the middle of a sentence.
(ii) Avoiding wandering sentences
All parts of a sentence should contribute to one clear idea or impression. Long, winding and straggling sentences usually contain a hodge-podge of unrelated ideas. Such long sentences should be broken up into smaller ones or at the least, should move subordinate ideas in a subordinate form.
(iii) Avoiding ambiguity
Always remember that if a sentence can be misunderstood, it will be.
(iv) Making sure your modifiers say what you mean
Every modification to a sentence should improve the conveyance of clearer thought or idea.

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE: WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE Writing good sentences is the key to improving one‟s style of writing. It requires concentration, patience ...

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

WRITING SENTENCES WITH STYLE

Writing good sentences is the key to improving one‟s style of writing. It requires concentration, patience and a lot of practice. It is much more than stringing words together as they tumble out of writers‟ mind! Everyone can learn to write better sentences and improve sentences already written if writers observe the following five rules meticulously:

 Creating interest
 Making meaning clear
 Keeping sentences brief
 Making every word count
 Varying sentence pattern

These rules have been described further:

(1) Creating interest

If one goes by the formal, academic styles that are commonplace in most writings, there is a strong tendency to „impress‟ rather to „express‟. Writings can be made more interesting by writing in an informal, conversational style. Since this style is used in everyday life, readers can understand easily. One must always remember that readers are customers and they should become receptive to writers‟ thoughts and ideas.
After all, the core purpose of the process of communication including written one is to influence them to achieve some common objectives!...........contd

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING STYLE

SHARMA's BLOG: WRITING STYLE: WRITING STYLE Many good ideas are lost because they are expressed in a dull, wordy and involved way. No two people write exactly alike. ...

WRITING STYLE

WRITING STYLE

Many good ideas are lost because they are expressed in a dull, wordy and involved way. No two people write exactly alike. Even writing about the same thing such as writing an essay in a school classroom, two persons will invariably say it differently.

“To write well is at once to think well, to feel right and to render properly. It is to have, at the same time, mind, soul and taste”.
There is seldom only one best way of writing – there are usually several equally good ways of writing.

Ben Johnson has said, “For a man to write well, there are required three necessaries: to read the best authors, observe the best speakers and many exercises to your own style”.
However, everyone must remember the following four axiomatic truths about writing style:

(1) Style cannot be taught
(2) Each person‟s style is his / her own personality
(3) Style is unique to him/her
(4) Each one of us can improve our style

SHARMA's BLOG: Writing skills

SHARMA's BLOG: Writing skills: Writing skills Writing skills can be cultivated and acquired although they entail a lot of hard work. Effective writing skills can impac...

Writing skills

Writing skills

Writing skills can be cultivated and acquired although they entail a lot of hard work. Effective writing skills can impact individuals a competitive edge over rivals because the pen is mightier than the sword. Written communication is a delayed response and hence more creative. Compared with oral communication, it permits limited cycle to respond and lag time for feedback takes longer and in some cases, it may not happen at all.
Adaptation is the basic principle as writers have to work hard to express their thoughts accurately. They must visualize what receivers know, feel or think and then select the right words and phrases. It is easier communicating with a single person or homogenous groups rather than mixed and diverse groups. However, the governing rule is to keep it simple and short.

Written communications involve learning at three levels – choosing the right word, constructing good sentences and designing appropriate paragraphs. Effective writers must understand the importance of language and the use of correct grammar. Since words form the building blocks of effective communication, the way words are used constitute a crucial part of writing skill. There are seven ways words are used - as nouns, verbs including tenses, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, and conjunction.
Proper use of punctuation signs embellishes the style of communicators who also tend to experiment and innovate with them as their usage changes over time. Writers should be well versed in the use of the twelve punctuation signs – full stop, comma, semicolon, colon, question mark, exclamation mark, quotation marks, apostrophes, hyphens, dashes, parentheses and capital letters.

SHARMA's BLOG: ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION

SHARMA's BLOG: ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION: ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION Communicators must understand the role and importance of language and use of proper grammar ...

ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION

ROLE OF LANGUAGE / GRAMMAR IN COMMUNICATION

Communicators must understand the role and importance of language and use of proper grammar in enhancing their written communication skills:

(1) Importance of language
A Chinese sage of distant past was once asked by his disciples what he would do first if he was given the power to set right the affairs of the country. He answered, “I would certainly see that the language is used correctly”. “Surely”, said the disciples, “This is a trivial matter. Why should you deem it so important?” The Master replied, “If language is not used correctly, then what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to be done remains undone. If this remains undone, morals and art will be corrupted, justice will go astray. If justice goes astray, the people would stand about in helpless confusion”.

Lee Iacocca, the famous former CEO of Chrysler, USA emphasized it further, “You can have brilliant ideas but if you can‟t get them across, your ideas won‟t go anywhere”. It must be remembered that knowledge is nothing but messaging of information and communication; it is the only factor of production that is not subject to the law of diminishing returns.