As a rule, writers should have a good grasp of the rules. Rules of grammar. Style. Usage. And the fundamental rule that you never walk the out man. Oh, wait, that’s baseball. It’s a good rule, though.
As a writer and an editor, I like the rules. Most of the time, they make perfect sense because they make things easier and clearer for the reader, which is one of the keys to good style. For example, whereas I find it wise and useful to agree with Steve Laube quickly and completely in all things, there is one important area in which we disagree. You see, he has publicly (oh, the shame!) accepted the singular “they” (see this blog post), which I consider an abomination. There’s always room for disagreement among friends and colleagues, but in this matter, I happen to be right, and he happens to be insane.
Still, I’m willing to grant that there are times when the tried-and-tested rules of grammar, style, and usage are broken…wisely and effectively. Not by Steve, but by other people. So, I asked my writing friends on Facebook to reveal what grammar or writing “rule” they sometimes break, intentionally and purposefully.
For example, I learned in school (yes, there were schools when I was younger) that a paragraph should always comprise more than one sentence.
So much for that.
Diana Sharples answered, “I break a lot of rules as I execute the teenage voice of my characters. Starting with contractions. Fragments. Run-on (especially for girls when they’re excited). And I ‘might could’ use some southern jargon that gives some editors fits.”
Well, sure. In fiction. What about nonfiction?
Steve Simms says he breaks the rule that says one should use a semicolon only to separate thoughts that could stand as complete sentences on their own. “Instead,” he says, “I like to use a semicolon as if it is a ‘major comma’—kind of a ‘comma exclamation point.’ What is it about guys named Steve?
Janet McHenry, a high school English teacher for twenty-six years, confessed, “I often start a sentence with a conjunction because readers expect both fiction and nonfiction (I write both) to be more conversational than they were in the past.”
Carol Ashby admits to both “ending a sentence with a preposition and beginning a sentence with a conjunction (and or but). I published scientific articles for years, and formal rules were always applied. It took me at least a year writing fiction to stop cringing when I started a sentence with But instead of However.
Shena Ashcraft commented: “I love short sentences. And incomplete sentences. And breaking rules, as a rule. Seriously.”
Sara Beth Williams added, “I also love sentence fragments. It creates a more unique and realistic sense of personality in my opinion, especially in internal dialogue. When it comes external to dialogue, rules are meant to be ignored.” Really. And she’s not even named Steve.
Beth Brubaker goes even further, confessing a love for “one-word sentences. Seriously. And making a series of them to prove a point. I’m. Not. Kidding.” I. Might. Throw. Up.
Finally, Yolanda Smith admits to breaking the “Who vs. whom” rule. “I love using whom,” she says, “but apparently everyone else thinks it sounds stuffy.” I must confess, too. Occasionally, when I knew I should use whom, I used who instead, not so much for fear of sounding stuffy but because I was pretty sure whom would compete with rather than support what I was trying to say, depending on whom my reader was.
Your Turn:
What about you? Are there rules you break…knowingly and to a good purpose?
I write non-fiction in a conversational, easy-reading style. Words like “gonna” and “just sayin'” sneak into my text–sometimes, if I’m in the mood, I let them stay.
Living languages, it seems, are typically subject in one way or another to the currents of popular use. Perhaps of even greater interest is what the nature and direction of the change reflects within a given culture, including the societal forces in play and the implications thereof. Could language be one of the canaries in the proverbial coal mine?
Since the subject is writing and breaking rules: how many of you will capitalize “He” when referring to the Lord? He, His, Him, the Word… is it “proper” to do so (I feel uncomfortably disrespectful when I don’t!) or is this a “rule” we can bend/break??
Colleen,
Even the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style generally recommends using lowercase when using pronouns referring the the Lord. Even so, I learned quite young that using caps in these cases was a special way to show respect to Him. It’s a difficult habit to break. Even harder than using one space instead of two after a sentence. But that’s for another blog post . . .
It doesn’t matter at all whether you use upper case or lower case pronouns referring to God, as that’s something that editors (of both magazines and books) change to conform to their “house style.” However, it IS important that, whichever you do, you do it consistently in your manuscript.
I thought it was legitimate to use semicolons to separate items in a list when the items in the list were long or contained commas within themselves.
Indeed, when the items contain commas themselves.
Jerry Jenkins, possibly the most successful Christian writer of our day, believes single character Point of View is sacrosanct. He says it, “You need to understand P.O.V., which I agree with. But he also says, “If you break the rule, editors will know you can’t write.” My first novel was
in an omniscient point of view. And more important to me, my favorite books, Narnia, are in omniscient.
And Dostoevsky also writes with an omniscient voice with an ensemble cast, and it works really well.
My first novel was told in the first person. For the second one, I tried an omniscient narrator. I like the omniscient voice when there are misunderstandings happening between characters but we want the reader to be in the know.
Bwa-ha-ha! I am an omniscient narrator! I can do whatever I want!
Nice, Jennifer.
So happy Bob is offering his fixations on rules. Love this one on the Singular They. Even though my m/s is nonfiction, sometimes saying he or him instead of they, sounds so stuffy and abnormal. Nevertheless, going back through to do a global and see if I can change a few to the correct way. Checked the CMOS. They are with Bob on formal writing, although they are willing to make a few exceptions:
*Chicago accepts this use of singular they in speech and informal writing. For formal writing, most modern style and usage manuals have not accepted this usage until recently, if at all. CMOS 17 does not prohibit the use of singular they as a substitute for the generic he in formal writing, but recommends avoiding it, offering various other ways to achieve bias-free language. … Context should be a guide when choosing a style, and the writer’s preferences should always receive consideration.*(re their 17th edition)
This is so great! I feel permission oozing between my fingers. Just itching to be turned loose. And the humor? Oh, yes! I’ll take another serving, please.
The one that I’ve come to slowly in my writing and editing (and I was a secondary English teacher for over 30 years) is “joining” two independent clauses with a comma. No. Commas separate. That “sentence” is actually a run-on. But even Chicago Manual of Style says this animal is acceptable under certain conditions, specifically in fiction and in dialogue. Well, OK, but I still think it’s breaking the rules.
Bob, I cringe over the singular “they” and refuse to let me students use it. That said, in my fiction writing, I do occasionally write fragments (on purpose!) and sometimes my characters end sentences with prepositions, but that is because people talk like that. Great blog posting (see, you have trained me not to just call it a “blog”!).
Best,
Sheri
How I wish there was an emoji to insert. All of the above with the exception of Making. A. Point.
Short fragments are great for action. One’s character doesn’t think, ‘Golly, I should block that knife coming at me.’
My sentences tend to be shorter than average writers, especially in dialogue. And I start sentences with conjunctions. Ha. My grammar makes me cringe so self-editing and then paying for a good editor is part and parcel (I use cliches in dialogue on occasion) of the writing/honing process.
I wonder, is there anyone here who uses Strunk and White in one hand and Spunk and Bite in the other? It’s a great way to bend/break rules. Of course, two more hands would type…
I’m big on using fragments for effect. One-word sentences too. See? Especially when writing fiction or ad copy or comments like this one.
I love this post because it validates a point to which I’ve long subscribed–the best punctuation is a means of expression, emphasis and individuality as both stand alone and enhancement. The key to using rule-breaking this way is to exemplify correct, standard usage in the flow of your writing, and in this way assure that your “anomaly” screams in neon when you break the norm to make a point. Because… what’s important?
The message.
Thanks, Bob.
I have a penchant for beginning lines of dialogue with “so,” which my editor ALWAYS takes out. Funnily enough, I often begin sentences – in speaking – with “so!” LOL!
That’s like a “Therefore…”
(I wrestle with that as well)
ha! our dialogue in real life is ramble-shamble, we make up words, smush every rule to get to a point, and follow tangents that have nada to do with anything.
My writing (first draft at least) follows my brain, and as I rewrite, I realize that 100,000 words are simply not needed, and the majority of them are the so, therefore, just, adverbs, prepositions at the end of sentences, etc.
Rewriting these to sound natural, retain the character’s thoughts (because who cares what people say in dialogue, it’s real life, however, I cut much out to cut my word count.
I have a love/hate relationship with Prowriting Aid, which points out everything. One can change some things i.e. don’t mess with my dialogue! But it’s thorough which means time-consuming.
I’ve cut out 10,000 words. This will cost less in the end for an editor. So… much of my normal dialogue is rewritten. Bend and break some rules, but I figure probably not all. Even here I am allowing folks to cringe at my rambling…
I’ve decided not to break the rules until I know what rules I’ve broken.?