How to say nothing in 500 words citation. How to Say Nothing in 500 Words 2022-10-14
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"How to Say Nothing in 500 Words" is a tongue-in-cheek essay written by Paul Roberts in the late 1950s, in which he outlines a series of techniques for writing a lengthy essay without actually saying anything meaningful or substantial. The essay is a satirical take on the tendency of some writers to pad their work with unnecessary words and filler content, rather than focusing on conveying a clear and concise message.
One of the main techniques Roberts suggests for achieving this goal is to use jargon and technical language that is likely to go over the heads of most readers. By using complex terms and phrases that are specific to a particular field or discipline, writers can create the impression that they are saying something important, even if the content of their writing is ultimately meaningless or unrelated to the topic at hand.
Another effective strategy for saying nothing in 500 words is to rely heavily on cliches and platitudes. These are overused phrases that have become so common that they no longer carry any real meaning or significance. By using cliches and platitudes, writers can give the impression that they are making a profound point, even if the words they are using are essentially meaningless.
Another tactic Roberts suggests is to use long, rambling sentences that are full of subordinate clauses and dependent phrases. By constructing sentences that are so complex and convoluted that they are difficult to follow, writers can create the impression that they are saying something important, even if the content of their writing is actually quite shallow.
Finally, Roberts recommends using vague or ambiguous language to avoid making any concrete or specific claims. By using words and phrases that are open to interpretation, writers can create the impression that they are making a profound point, even if the words they are using are actually quite vague and ambiguous.
In conclusion, "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words" is a satirical essay that highlights the tendency of some writers to use various tactics, such as jargon, cliches, and vague language, to create the impression that they are saying something meaningful, even if their words are ultimately empty and meaningless. The essay serves as a cautionary tale for writers, reminding them to focus on conveying clear and concise messages, rather than relying on empty words and filler content to pad their work.
How To Say Nothing In 500 Words Thesis And Summary Essay Example (300 Words)
Murray taught writing for many years at the University of New Hampshire, his alma mater. Nowadays college football is what you might call a big business. Have you ever sat, staring at a blinking cursor on a blank page, wondering how on earth you'll crank out two pages regarding a topic which you of course care nothing for over the course of three days? It deprives them of the pleasure of writing and will not prepare them for academic and real world writing. In the following essay, first published in the Writer in October 1973 and later revised for this text, Murray discusses the importance of revision to the work of the writer. Roberts states that summing up all obvious arguments briefly and then disregarding them allows the reader to expect an essay which is different or unexpected. All of these words are loaded with associations that would be rather hard to indicate in a straightforward definition. His portrayal of football students was an accurate assumption, as I used to be in marching band and found myself countless times struggling to study for a test after a late Thursday night football game.
Make intelligent use of your words. The student's tendency to hedge stems from a modesty that in other circumstances would be commendable. Lastly I will explain how I feel his logic not only effectively applies to the topic he is discussing, but how it is applicable to any chosen field a person may attempt to become successful in. Foley also points out that the formula suppresses authenticity of the writer. Colored Words Some words we would call not so much colorful as colored — that is, loaded with associations, good or bad. You put in a sheet of paper, think up a title, and you're off: WHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOULD BE ABOLISHED College football should be abolished because it's bad for the school and also for the players. You might be interested: What Is The Purpose Of A Process Cost Summary Report? If you want the reader to believe that college football is bad for the players, you have to do more than say so.
Who is Paul McHenry Roberts? This really grabbed my attention and let me know that this was going to be an interesting read. Add parenthetical citations to cite the evidence you include in each paragraph. It is therefore important to ensure that you portray your message in a more presentable manner. They fail to add much when used to describe a subject and are recommended to be avoided when possible. Our own authority should be our judgment. WHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOULD BE ABOLISHED In my opinion, it seems to me that college football should be abolished. Writers must be careful when using words that lack a strong emotional association with their audience, as failure to do so will send the wrong message.
An Analysis of Robert's Article "How to Say Nothing in 500 Words
But it doesn't help to announce your incompetence six times in every paragraph. A pet example is nice, a word we would find it hard to dispense with in casual conversation but which is no longer capable of adding much to a description. Or consider the word intellectual. If you are really working at it, your first draft will greatly exceed the required total, and then you will work it down, thus: It is thought in some quarters that fraternities do not contribute as much as might be expected to campus life. We all as writers tend to go for the subjects we know best about, or find easiest to write about. We have said that the meaning of a word is the sum of the contexts in which it occurs.
By the time the instructor gets to your paper, he will be up to his ears in tedious tales about a French teacher at Bloombury High and assertions about how fraternities build character and prepare one for life. Do you feel these risks are relevant? Be sure to include your data output with your analysis. It is best to stay away from overtly evident stuff. Saturday night you have a date, and Sunday morning you have to go to church. Also I think college football is bad for the colleges and the universities because not very many students get to participate in it. Thus four words have been turned into forty, and not an iota of content has been added. This Class not only helped enhance my writing abilities but to also better evaluate the writings of others and forced me to acknowledge the rigorous work of future courses in college.
How to Say Nothing in 500 Words by Robert Analysis
In How to Say Nothing in 500 Words, Paul McHenry Roberts reveals his nine tips for writing an essay. After reading this, I really want to improve my essays by using more descriptive language and venturing out of the box. This is the best argument I have heard for strictly adhering to the score and helps to strengthen the rest of his comments throughout the piece. The author of this essay really opened my eyes on stepping out of common ideas. They do not have time to get a college education, because they are so busy playing football. For most the soundest advice is to be seeking always for the picture, to be always turning general remarks into seeable examples. It is no doubt possible to be too concrete, too illustrative or anecdotal, but few inexperienced writers err this way.
Even so, there are those who have a strong desire to write but are bothered or concerned about what they will write. In the olden times when people played football just for the fun of it, maybe college football was all right, but they do not play college football just for the fun of it now as they used to in the old days. His advice includes tips on making a dull subject exciting, engaging the reader with unexpected topics and arguments, and developing a fully thought out essay that will be sure to earn a good grade in the classroom. Include some preliminary discussion about why these are important to address, and be sure to account for any assumptions you made in the process. It is extremely time-consuming and frustrating to think of new things to write when the simple things to talk about are so easily assessable to talk about.
Make use of a conversational tone that is natural. Roberts advises writers to avoid overused, common expressions such as, "over my dead body" or "under cover of darkness". One progresses through everlasting experiment on the basis of everÂwidening experience. To whomever comes upon this book turns face, they would be off their trolly to not to, as well as not right upstairs; Furthermore I hope they return to their maker as they kick bucket. The writer's job is to find the argument, the approach, the angle, the wording that will take the reader with him. Best solution How do you write tips? Anxiety and tension can be reduced. .
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