Aegelis's Blog - Posts Tagged "writers"
Ramwords: My Divisive Writing Style
What is 'Ramwords'?
Compounding of 'Ram' and 'words', ramwording is an invented term I use describing reducing articles (the, a, an) and rephrasing prepositions (at, to, of, for, etc.). If there's an opportunity to remove 'and', 'or', 'that', 'this', 'which' while still being understood, then, by all means, do so.
Why Ramword?
Reason is to create more interesting undiluted text, cut down overused words (how many times have we read the word "the" unnecessarily?), and value readers' time as well as ability to comprehend language.
Where does Ramwording come from?
I did not invent the style of writing, but I found I was mistaken in thinking this style was from an early elementary school assignment when a teacher took off points for excessive articles. Rather, while revising procedure worksheets at my job, I was curious to run Grammarly to see just how accurate our science documents were, and guess what? Up popped a lot of articles suggested by Grammarly, which were intentionally omitted for efficiency. I've been so used to reading process non-fiction for seventeen years resulting in my own fiction looking 'wrong' with excessive articles and started cutting. I'll even rephrase, reducing apparent redundancies as well as clarifying pronouns. For my eyes along with my opinion, this change is for the better.
Can you provide examples?
Typical sentence: She drove the car to the hospital to see the patients.
Ramworded sentence: She drove car to hospital for patient visits.
Typical: I went to the store, post office, and supermarket, and then home.
Ramworded: I went to store, post office, supermarket, then home.
Is there a difference between driving 'a' car or 'the' car? In British, one would never say 'the hospital' because there is more than one hospital in existence.
What do readers think?
I have received three responses from ramwording: 1.) Backlash in reviews both textually and docked ratings 2.) Indifference, some readers don't care or see no problem 3.) Some readers find writings to be more dynamic.
So what is this writer to do?
Accommodate reader requests as best as I can (conceding on how hyphens should function), but when style is involved (even if arguably 'wrong'), then I'm going to side with less particular folk. Apologies if I offend some eyes, and you're welcome to those who appreciate the uncommon diction.
Feel free to toss in your thoughts by commenting.
Compounding of 'Ram' and 'words', ramwording is an invented term I use describing reducing articles (the, a, an) and rephrasing prepositions (at, to, of, for, etc.). If there's an opportunity to remove 'and', 'or', 'that', 'this', 'which' while still being understood, then, by all means, do so.
Why Ramword?
Reason is to create more interesting undiluted text, cut down overused words (how many times have we read the word "the" unnecessarily?), and value readers' time as well as ability to comprehend language.
Where does Ramwording come from?
I did not invent the style of writing, but I found I was mistaken in thinking this style was from an early elementary school assignment when a teacher took off points for excessive articles. Rather, while revising procedure worksheets at my job, I was curious to run Grammarly to see just how accurate our science documents were, and guess what? Up popped a lot of articles suggested by Grammarly, which were intentionally omitted for efficiency. I've been so used to reading process non-fiction for seventeen years resulting in my own fiction looking 'wrong' with excessive articles and started cutting. I'll even rephrase, reducing apparent redundancies as well as clarifying pronouns. For my eyes along with my opinion, this change is for the better.
Can you provide examples?
Typical sentence: She drove the car to the hospital to see the patients.
Ramworded sentence: She drove car to hospital for patient visits.
Typical: I went to the store, post office, and supermarket, and then home.
Ramworded: I went to store, post office, supermarket, then home.
Is there a difference between driving 'a' car or 'the' car? In British, one would never say 'the hospital' because there is more than one hospital in existence.
What do readers think?
I have received three responses from ramwording: 1.) Backlash in reviews both textually and docked ratings 2.) Indifference, some readers don't care or see no problem 3.) Some readers find writings to be more dynamic.
So what is this writer to do?
Accommodate reader requests as best as I can (conceding on how hyphens should function), but when style is involved (even if arguably 'wrong'), then I'm going to side with less particular folk. Apologies if I offend some eyes, and you're welcome to those who appreciate the uncommon diction.
Feel free to toss in your thoughts by commenting.
