Cut adverbs whenever possible from "summary" of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition by Renni Browne,Dave King
Adverbs pepper the pages of many manuscripts. They seem like a writer's best friend, always there to add a little extra oomph to a sentence. But the truth is that adverbs can weaken our writing rather than strengthen it. When we rely on adverbs, we miss the opportunity to choose a strong verb that can do the heavy lifting on its own. Consider the sentence: "She walked quickly." The adverb "quickly" tells us how she walked, but it doesn't paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind. If we replace "walked quickly" with a single verb like "rushed" or "darted," suddenly the sentence comes alive. The reader can see the action in their mind's eye, rather than being told about it indirectly. Another problem with adverbs is that they can indicate lazy writing. Instead of taking the time to choose the perfect verb or adjective, we slap on an adverb as a quick fix. But by doing so, we miss the opportunity to show rather than tell. When we cut adverbs from our writing, we force ourselves to think more carefully about our word choices. We have to consider the precise image or emotion we want to convey and then find the strongest, most evocative way to do so. This level of attention to detail can elevate our writing from good to great. Of course, there are times when adverbs are necessary. Sometimes they add nuance or subtlety that would be lost with a more forceful verb. But those instances should be the exception rather than the rule. By training ourselves to rely less on adverbs, we can sharpen our writing and create a more immersive experience for our readers.
Similar Posts
Reading regularly expands language mastery
Reading regularly is like exercising for your brain. Just as regular exercise strengthens your muscles, regular reading strengt...
Writing badly is an art to be mastered
To truly understand the art of writing badly is to embrace the beauty of imperfection. It is a craft that requires dedication a...
Encourage feedback and questions
To truly excel at explanation, it's essential to create an environment where feedback and questions are not just welcomed, but ...
Embracing the diversity of storytelling styles
The beauty of storytelling lies in its endless possibilities. Each storyteller brings their own unique style and voice to the n...
Practice mindfulness in communication
To truly connect with others in meaningful ways, it is essential to be fully present in our interactions. This means practicing...
Spanish uses accent marks to indicate stress and pronunciation
In Spanish, accent marks serve as crucial indicators of stress and pronunciation. These marks, known as tilde in Spanish, typic...
Use examples to illustrate your points
When you are trying to explain a concept or make a point, it is important to provide examples that can help your audience under...
Pronunciation is important for effective verbal communication
When it comes to verbal communication, pronunciation plays a crucial role in conveying your message effectively. Pronunciation ...
Understanding the principles of persuasion can help you achieve your goals
To achieve your goals effectively, it is crucial to understand the principles of persuasion. By grasping the underlying mechani...
The elements of a successful argumentative essay
To craft a successful argumentative essay, several key elements must be carefully considered and implemented. First and foremos...