“How to Say Nothing in Five Hundred Words” by ?Paul McHenry Roberts Essay Example
“How to Say Nothing in Five Hundred Words” by ?Paul McHenry Roberts Essay Example

“How to Say Nothing in Five Hundred Words” by ?Paul McHenry Roberts Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
Topics:
  • Pages: 2 (401 words)
  • Published: July 20, 2017
  • Type: Essay
View Entire Sample
Text preview

Paul McHenry Roberts’ 1956 article, “How to Say Nothing in Five Hundred Words, ” trades with the common traps faced by many immature authors while composing essays. His advice includes tips on doing a dull topic exciting, prosecuting the reader with unexpected subjects and statements, and developing a to the full thought out essay that will be certain to gain a good class in the schoolroom. Roberts says to come up with a list of statements off manus and compose them down but do non utilize any of them, as they are most likely overused and predictable. Alternatively he suggests to take the way most people would avoid, since it will most probably be easier to do your composing interesting. In add-on, do non overdrive generalizations by ne'er genuinely acquiring into a topic. Include f

...

acts and narratives to acquire readers interested, alternatively of a dull sentence with your point of position. Roberts says to acquire rid of the excess words that fill documents and truly give no excess value to your authorship.

He calls this “padding” in your paper. It is merely a manner to make your word end without stating much at all. Come up with more existent content and take out the excess. Give your thoughts and so turn out why you are right. Whatever you need to state, state it without apologising. Roberts advises authors to avoid overused, common looks such as, “over my dead body” or “under screen of darkness” . He says even the best authors can non avoid them all together, but they should merely be used when nil else seems to suit, as they add nil particular to the

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

paper. The last of Professor Roberts’ recommendations is the importance of utilizing “colorful, coloured and colourless words.”

Using colourful words paints the reader a image and describes a topic farther, although sometimes there may be no demand to make so. Colored words are words that everyone can tie in with, or would hold common feelings towards. These include certain people, topographic points or things anyone can associate to. Writers must be careful when utilizing words that lack a strong emotional association with their audience, as failure to make so will direct the incorrect message. Similarly, colorless words are words that are common and have a really general significance. They fail to add much when used to depict a topic and are recommended to be avoided when possible.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New