Our greatest sin, very often, is lack of restraint in the use of words. Err, therefore, on the side of brevity. After all, the Lord’s Prayer contain only 57 words, but a treatise on “How to Sell Cassava” runs to 30 000 words. Our lack of restraint can lead to other “sins!” Euphemisms, mixed metaphors, jargon, among others.
Euphemism is the use of a supposedly pleasing expression in the place of the simpler or more accurate word. The classic examples comes from Sir Winston Churchill. He told a colleague: “The Right Honorable Member is guilty of a terminological inexactitude.” He meant: “You are lying,” but parliamentary practice forced Sir Winston to avoid the direct statement. However, most of us will never make it to Congress, so avoid euphemism.
A metaphor is the application of a descriptive term to an object to which it is not literally applicable. Mixed metaphors are a combination of inconsistent metaphors. Look at these examples:
1. Scientists at the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission have announced the discovery of a virgin field pregnant with possibilities for future research. No comment.
2. The strong arm of the law is marching after the offenders. An arm does not march.
3. We congratulate the chairman on his skill in piloting the committee’s ship on the solid ground of reality. The pilot should lose his license.
If a word says exactly what you mean and you can not substitute a pronoun for it, then use the word again. It is no sign to repeat a word. If you have to rack your brains for a synonym, the advice is, do not. Remember, the sense of the sentence comes first. Example is the following:
“Carlos Loyzaga took the ball from Tony Renato and had dribbled the sphere to three yards of the goal when…”
Substitute “it” for “the sphere” and you lose nothing.
Thus, we return to where we started – to Saint Paul and his letter to the Corinthians: “Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken.”
Euphemism is the use of a supposedly pleasing expression in the place of the simpler or more accurate word. The classic examples comes from Sir Winston Churchill. He told a colleague: “The Right Honorable Member is guilty of a terminological inexactitude.” He meant: “You are lying,” but parliamentary practice forced Sir Winston to avoid the direct statement. However, most of us will never make it to Congress, so avoid euphemism.
A metaphor is the application of a descriptive term to an object to which it is not literally applicable. Mixed metaphors are a combination of inconsistent metaphors. Look at these examples:
1. Scientists at the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission have announced the discovery of a virgin field pregnant with possibilities for future research. No comment.
2. The strong arm of the law is marching after the offenders. An arm does not march.
3. We congratulate the chairman on his skill in piloting the committee’s ship on the solid ground of reality. The pilot should lose his license.
If a word says exactly what you mean and you can not substitute a pronoun for it, then use the word again. It is no sign to repeat a word. If you have to rack your brains for a synonym, the advice is, do not. Remember, the sense of the sentence comes first. Example is the following:
“Carlos Loyzaga took the ball from Tony Renato and had dribbled the sphere to three yards of the goal when…”
Substitute “it” for “the sphere” and you lose nothing.
Thus, we return to where we started – to Saint Paul and his letter to the Corinthians: “Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken.”
37 comments:
You should avoid talking too much, and just like in writing avoid writing too many words. Avoid using metaphorrs and euphemisms in journalistic writing. Avoid using synonyms too, because they may have the same denotation but in the minds of people, they have differnt connotations.
All these 15 rules only have one thing in common. It tells us that the sole purpose of journalistic writing is to inform. It's purpose is not to give credit to yourself.
When we read flowery books, we often encounter euphemisms, metaphor, and other figurative languages. This does not make our work better especially in journalistic writing. This will only cover the real meaning of words.
When you write, try to refrain yourself from using too much nonsense words. Why not try to use euphemism in your sentences? Or metaphorical sentences in your paragraphs? In this way, you not only achieve a clearer sentence but you make your readers understand easier what you are trying to say.
"Inday: The Chambermaid" is a comedic blog, then text quotes, then a book. She is a girl that tends to elaborate things that doesn't need to be. Just be straightforward as always. Stop beating around the bush. everyone wants a quick and entertaining article. Not one that is very long, and boring. Keep your main substance at hand. Let it be expressed. Make your articles "human-friendly". What I mean is that make it understandable by any human being reading it, not just the geniuses, nor your selfish ego.
It is good to make use of our euphemisms and metaphors but we have to be careful on using these. We should make sure that though we used these figures of speech, we could still have a clear article.
We must be concise in writing an article. Some tend to use more words because they want to ahow off. Without restraints in the use of words, we can make our article, intead of crystal clear, covered with fog. In writing we must achieve brevity.
Too much of anything is bad.
A smart person knows his limitations.
Bravery is knowing when to give up.
Do not use too much figures of speech, do not use too many adjectives, do not use too much of anything for it will make things confusing not to mention uninteresting.
Everything has limitations. We should write with balance and state all of what we need to explain clearly all what we need to say. If there is a certain element in our work that dominates through it, it will be boring and confusing.
Be brief, concise, and specific. Stop using euphemisms, metaphors and all. Start using pronouns as substitutes. Sometimes, using synonyms changes the meaning or sense of our message. Use easy things, they are better. They can be easily understood and everyone will be able to catch up to what you are trying to say.
When writing an article, we must always see to the correct usage of metaphors or euphemism. We do not want to send out the wrong message. If possible, try to use metaphors less because you are writing something that should inform, not to confuse.
It is better to write exactly what you mean than having to write something that would make no sense. Try to avoid mixed metaphors and euphemisms. Only makes it harder for your readers especially when you do it wrong.
We avoid euphemisms because we want our writings to be concise and short. Everything should be understood by everyone and we follow rule no. 5 for that reason.
Using too many words in our article is a common dilemma for us writers. We keep doing this and end up in chaos. We confuse our readers, and sometimes even ourselves. Using words that are easy to be understood provides clarity in our writings. There is no harm in using them, so if possible, abuse them. ><
This rule pretty sums up all. Make your article as simple as possible. Use straight to point ideas. Don’t use flowery words, long sentences, and inappropriate words. And your article will end up well read and with a two thumbs up!
I agree that euphemisms, mixed metaphors, and jargon sometimes mixed all of our ideas which make the article harder to comprehend. One should also remember to use pronouns and synonyms that will make the article easier for the readers to understand. So to avoid this just remember this rule!
When we write, we should get to the point. We should not use euphemisms and metaphors because using those figurative language will just confuse our readers and conceal the real meaning of the article.
Using euphemism and metaphor makes our article more colorful and meaningful. yes it's true. But be sure that you are not overusing these figures of speech or else your your work will be mess.
As much as possible avoid using figurative language in journalistic writing. If you use to much figurative language some readers might not understand you and some might even misinterpret your work. So as much as possible avoid figurative language in journalistic writing.
This rule is the sweet, little cherry on top of the cake. Sometimes, we contradict ourselves in our writings. Rule number 13 might get rid of some of these, but, to be on the safe side, try not to have this kind of error at all. This "finishing touch" rule will make your articles a very good one if you follow the other rules.
I really don't understand people. They want to make a creative writing task simple and they want a journalism tak to be creative. Remember, as Sir Escote said, there are rules you must follow.
Writing flowery words cover the meaning of the sentence, making our readers confused. Using unnecessary words in your articles will reult in a misinterpretation of what you really mean.
This rule explains that we should not use flowery words. It may affect the message that we want to convey to the readers.
I agree with the last rule. We should not use such devices because in the first place, this is not a literary piece, this is journalistic writing. We should really express, not impress.
Using words to not offend others is good. But overdoing it may deaden the real essence of the article. It may even confuse the readers on what you are really saying. Better be safe than sorry.
Remember to never confuse your readers by any means possible. Write to inform, not to confuse or impress. If you follow these rules, success may as well be beside you already.
Leo Amadeus Gerella Ruiz
This would be the last of the fifteen rules. Always remember that a journalistic work is supposed to be as formal and intellectual as can be. When on thing is unecessary, remove it.
Better follow and apply this last rule. Using literary devices are for flowery books, not for journalistic writing. Using literay devices is like disobeying the rules in writing an effective article/news.
Ma Inna Paulina Egamino Palana
IV - Enrico Fermi
Fe-15
The last rule is like the summary of all the rules: The sense of the sentence comes first. Therefore, you have think what you are writing about, you have make your sentences straight to the point, you have to use familiar words and simple sentences, and you have to remember that you write because you want to express what you think about a certain topic, not to impress readers that you are good in writing. If all the rules were applied, I can imagine a great work done.
Avoiding writing too much words makes our work easier to understand and less confusion. Using literary devices such as metaphors and euphemisms are not for journalistic writing. So if still you want them to use, why don't you just be a Story writer, or maybe, a novelist?
To simply tell people what you want to say, better not use any ,metaphor and euphemism. They would only shy away you readers. We know that the use of euphemism is to avoid the use of insulting words but sometimes this would just complicate things. Better use janitor that sanitary officer. Only a few would know what a sanitary officer is.
Too much is not good. the use of too many poetic devices is also not good for our articles. This will just make confusion. It will also increase the chance of your article being misunderstood. We should be concise by using the simple ones if possible.
I agree that we should all follow this rule. If a word really sends the message more clearly than using an adjective to substitute for it, then why don't you just use the word again. We must acheive a sentence with sense and must not confuse our readers by using euphemisms, mixed metaphors, jargon, and the like. By doing this, the readers would get the message across FAST.
This rule pretty mush is the same as the other rules.
Again, just be simple. The simpler an article is the better it is in the sense that it is closer to fulfill its purpose.
Summary is the best word to satisfy this suitable conclusion. Whatever social norms dictate, Whatever man decides for what man can achieve and Whatever reason a guy has to have just to get what he wants, must be followed in order for the information to get across. Do everything under the limit of man and surely man will understand.
Actually, it is not advisable for us to use figures of speech in a newspaper article. Figures of speech add colors and spice to the article, but newspaper articles don't actually have to be that poetic. They just have to be straight and factual. We're in journalistic writing and our main goal is update people on what is happening around them in the most convenient way possible.
Save space and time for your article. Don't write too many words while you can also express it in a shorter way. The readers might think that you are trying to get their attention through your wide knowledge in English Language not with primarily with your objective, which is to inform.
Like what they have said, we should avoid writing unnecessary words in our article. Using euphemisms, metaphor and other figurative language are for fairy tales not for journalistic writing.
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