In Other Words (Putting it Nicely)

Cartoonists in particular use a series of symbols (*#*^ %*) to indicate “bad” language, leaving it to the reader’s imagination to fill in the blankety-blank. Good manners - and censors - cause the cartoonists and other writers to use euphemisms, i.e., polite expressions in place of vulgar or crude ones. Instead of using words that might upset others, they use polite words that mean the same thing but do not offend anyone. Euphemisms are useful (necessary at times) to keep your reader from saying “eww” or “yuck” in disgust or to prevent your reader from blushing in embarrassment.   At times in your college writing, you may need to discuss a subject that requires tact, and you will probably rely on euphemisms to do so.

If, for instance, you were to write a literary analysis of Carrie, A Girl of the Streets, you would probably use expressions such as lady of the evening or even prostitute instead of more commonly used words, not included here. You are saying the same thing about the character but avoiding rude language.  Another time you may choose to use euphemisms is if you are writing an argumentative paper and talking about those whose opinion differs from yours. You may choose to say that they are mistaken, misguided, or unaware instead of calling them stupid ignoramuses (or worse), even if that’s what you think they are. You have remained polite and gently said that those who disagree with you are incorrect (as in dead wrong) but you have not resorted to name-calling.

Finally, euphemisms can also be used to make statements that shelter the reader from reality. One time we tend to substitute milder words is when we talk about death. We may say a person has crossed over, passed away, or expired because saying the person is dead seems overly harsh. We speak of earthly remains rather than corpses. Less serious than death (and all the ways to say dead without saying dead) in normal, everyday conversations, we use euphemisms to put a bit of spin on the facts, choosing alternate words to lighten a truth on occasion. I may not want to be blunt enough to call someone a liar when he describes his fifty-foot tall roaring  fat wave,  but I might say euphemistically that the dude stretches the truth a bit (by like  thirty or forty feet maybe).

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!

 

Quick Fixes

Comma splices and run-on sentences have one thing in common: they need stronger punctuation. Three quick ways to fix either - comma splice or run on - depend on the above mentioned stronger punctuation.

The following diagrams may help you to remember three basic options you have.

1. Use a semicolon between the two sentences, especially when the ideas are closely related:

Sentence; sentence.

2. Use a comma and then a conjunction between the two sentences, both, not just the comma:

Sentence, and (but, nor, for, etc.) sentence.

3. End one sentence with a punctuation mark, usually a period (not always- what if you are asking a question?) and begin the next sentence with a capital letter.

Sentence. Capital letter of first word of new sentence.

Definite punctuation between sentences provides clarity for the reader. A lack of punctuation can and does lead to confusion.

One way to keep in mind that the right punctuation is in place between sentences is visual. All three of the above solutions actually look larger than a tiny comma or no punctuation at all between sentences.

You might also think of it as the difference between hoping your boat left untied at the dock will not float away (run on, or no punctuation); tying your boat to the dock with a slight piece of string (comma splice); or using a solid rope to keep the boat in place (correct punctuation). Your chances of finding your boat when you go back to it are better with the stronger connections to the dock. Your odds of giving your readers a clear idea of what you say are much, much better with good punctuation.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!

Essential, Non-essential, and the Comma

Even if there is no need for a colorful design on a surfboard since it won’t change the basic utility of the board, it is often nice to have one anyway (maybe stylized birds or fish in shades of green, yellow, and blue with a few strong black or red lines for a sharp contrast) .

In sentences, some information is like a surf board design, extra bits of information added for interest but not necessary for the basic meaning of the sentence. There is, big surprise here, a punctuation rule for essential and non-essential phrases and clauses, AKA restrictive/nonrestrictive clauses or phrases.

To quickly determine whether or not to punctuate a clause or phrase, one rule of thumb, so to speak, might be to just place your thumb over a group of words in a sentence, perhaps qualifying adjective or adverb phrases or clauses with colorful descriptions. If the sentence reads clearly and makes perfect sense without the group of words covered by your thumb, then set off the temporarily hidden words with commas. The clause or phrase is not essential and doesn’t restrict the meaning of the sentence. A couple of examples - destined, I hope, to appear in my mind soon - should help clarify all I’ve said so far:

The sunlight glinting on the waves, much like tiny touches of starlight, fascinated her. (Nonrestrictive, Nonessential)

The sunlight glinting on the waves fascinated her because it reminded her of starlight. (Essential, Restrictive)

In the second example, a necessary reason is given for her fascination – because it reminded her of starlight. In the first, the same idea of starlight is not necessary for the sentence to make sense, although it also tells the reader why she was fascinated.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!

The Signpost Principle

When traveling to the beach, the way is littered with signposts. With these signposts, I know where the beach is, and I understand the rules and conventions to follow when I’m there. These signs may include warnings such as “Stop”, “Lifeguard on Duty”, or other messages that I must understand and follow.

This same principle applies when introducing quotes into the body of an essay. It’s very easy to simply cut and paste a quote into your essay and simply leave it there. However, doing this creates many problems for the essay. Your reader will need signposts to navigate through your essay.

Many people know the classic line “Quoth the raven, ‘Nevermore’” (Poe 48). Now imagine there were no introduction. “Nevermore.” This is what is called a dumped quote.

We read the quote, but we don’t understand what it shows us. Who is saying this? What does it prove to your audience?

In the original uncut quote, we know the raven is saying “Nevermore”. We don’t know necessarily why the raven says this, but by introducing the quote, we understand there’s a context behind it. The writer’s task is to explain this context to the reader and show why this quote matters to the argument.

The best way to avoid a dumped quote is by introducing your quote with a short phrase or a statement. For instance, perhaps Wright Stone claims that “the seagulls were quiet on the beach today.” Alternately, a short phrase can also work. Therefore, according to Stone, “the seagulls were quiet on the beach today.”

While those are the simplest ways, you need not mention your author in the body of the sentence at all. Even though the waves were strong and steady, “the seagulls were quiet on the beach today” (Stone). By placing these signposts, the argument becomes clear; the reader understands what the quote proves, who is quoted, and how the quote’s context fits with your argument.

As a parting note, always remember to follow up any quote with thorough analysis. It isn’t enough simply to drop the quote into your paper. You must show how the quote backs up any claims that you’ve made with solid logical reasoning. A supporting paragraph should always introduce the quote, lead into the quote carefully, and then explain what the quote means to your argument.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!