The Art of Writing Better Sentences by Building Great Sentences - Research Paper Example

“Travel Writing”: Style and Meaning in N. Scott Momada’s The Way to Rainy Mountain

INTRODUCTION

The core aim of writing this paper is to discuss on the various styles used by authors to build “great sentences.” Such sentences are regarded to be powerful and effective due to the tools of language used. “Great sentences,” reveal on how language can be used to showcase emotions and thoughts. Different authors have mastered the art of writing better sentences by building great sentences. Such sentences have the ability to educate, motivate, delight and entertain. Suspensive sentences are commonly used in literature to exploit the numerous literature tactics. For instance, “I was, perhaps, stalling” several examples have been illustrated to showcase the delaying tactic to different ends (Parts, I., and II Brooks Landon, 168).Authors ought to incorporate the rhythms of threes in building sentences as they are regarded to be the powerful tools for the writer (Landon, 204). Construction can be either serial, parallel or involve the three predicates to invoke the serial form (Landon, 206). Grammatically cumulative sentences can either have an effective impact or exactly the same rhetorical impact as the periodic sentences. Excluding some crucial information may result to a loose sentence. For example, “I sat down to write” and “I sat down at my computer to write” are different (Parts, I., and II Brooks Landon, 169). This is because the second sentence has detailed information unlike the first one. Therefore, it is crucial for authors to have the proper knowledge of building great sentences as they entail more information and readers are able to understand on the subject being discussed. Despite using aspects and style of language, authors should ensure that there is no change in the message or the subject matter being discussed.

BODY

Authors can decide to use different degrees of suspensiveness in their literature regarding the subject of discussion. These variations are the cause of the misleading dichotomy between loose and periodic sentences (Parts, I., and II Brooks Landon, 170). Such sentences make different demands. Examples of such demands include delaying the completion of the sentence, dragging out the processes and delivering the goods of the message. This way, the reader’s concentration and patience is captured by the author. Different writing styles are evident in the book “The Way to Rainy Mountain” to emphasize on the happenings. Momaday has simplified the book by arranging the book into three sections. These sections include, “The Setting Out,” “The Going On” and “The Closing In.” Readers are able to grasp something new in each section. For example, readers can grasp more on the Kiowa culture. This allows them to have a dynamic understanding of the values and traditions of the culture. Momaday has used different kinds of tone. For instance, a straightforward and objective tone is used when he wants to relate two significant events and a intensely emotional tone is used when speaking to the elderly. In this case the elderly is his grandmother.

The story is based on a personal reflection, description and narration. The author has incorporated the types of writing in a perfect manner to enable the readers grasp the information being relayed. For instance, in the introduction part, the author has used lyrical description and poetic language to give “a real picture” of the incidences. Examples of such sentences include “The grasshoppers are popping up like corn.” Use of writing styles in literature make the story more entertaining thus giving the reader more urge to go on with story. Periodic sentences may be incorporated to bring out the suspense effect. However, to create such an effect the authors need a great sentence. For example, “America is an abundant land that seems to have more of everything than anybody else” (Parts, I., and II Brooks Landon, 173). Another way of creating suspense would be by starting a sentence with an infinitive or by using the different schemes of language. Use of serial constructions is also evident. Styles that are aimed at creating a repetition have used. For instance, alliteration has been used by the author. Use of schemes of repetition creates an emphasis on the subject being discussed. Readers should focus on such areas to grasp the information that the authors are putting across.

Momaday just like his ancestors he does not take a trip to Rainy Mountain. Instead it is a symbolic journey. This creates a narrative structure that is aimed at providing a greater insight into culture. The culture in discussion is of the Kiowa Indians. The Kiowa folklore shares the crucial information about the values and the cultural identity of the tribe. This way, the author is able to bring out themes clearly. Themes evident in the book include the power of imagination and oral tradition. Momaday has also expressed creativity by incorporating the styles of language. Therefore, readers should be keener when analyzing the happenings of the book as they are confusing due to the techniques applied by the author. There is a wide use of metaphors and styles of language. For example, “A dark mist lay over the Black Hills, and the land was like iron” (Momaday, 315). Personal narration enables authors to link narrative to the happenings of the real-world. This can be illustrated from the structure of the sentences used. Momaday has also used personal narrative to make the narrative more subjective. Authors have different ways of making narratives subjective.

It is evident that Great sentences require the use of styles and techniques in order to retain the information being relayed. Authors who use such sentences should ensure that the sentences include progression, or intensification. This technique enables distinguish the elements creating an impact, restate and refine on the information (Landon, 206). Serial construction is the most used and it entails the use of rhetorical device such as anaphora. Great sentences should include features that are aimed at making the statements more interesting and more captivating. Readers should enjoy reading such sentences as they also educate apart from entertaining. Basic patterns can be categorized in terms in the following schemes of omission, phrasal series, elliptical series and schemes of repetition. Therefore, authors have a vast range of categories they can choose from. The schemes of repetition involve other categories such as alliteration and anaphora. In alliteration, the authors repeat the initial consonants whereas in anaphora there is a repetition of words and phrases at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences or phrases (Landon, 212).

Writing styles are used to make written literature more interesting and also make the stories more captivating. However, the sentences should have at least one style that impacts or restate the information being relayed. According to Landon (2008) great sentences should incorporate the three rhythms of building sentences. Authors can opt to use suspensive sentences to exploit the numerous literature tactics without changing the information being passed across. According to Landon (2008) it is evident that authors who use grate sentences are likely to capture the readers’ attention as the sentences are more powerful and effective.