Essay: Mark Twain's Writing Advice, Part Two

The list can be found here: http://grammar.about.com/od/advicefromthepros/a/TwainTips.htm. The interpretation is my own.

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Use good grammar. Is Twain being cheeky? This statement is so obvious it is almost self-evident. Use all of the grammar guides at your disposal when in doubt. Do not automatically accept your word processor's suggestions of grammar (and spelling) suggestion. Refer, instead, to the ubiquitous writing guides online, or even this class's writing tips!

Damnation (if you will allow the expression), get up & take a turn around the block & let the sentiment blow off you. Sentiment is for girls. . . . There is one thing I can't stand and won't stand, from many people. That is, sham sentimentality. While I cannot condone Twain's blatant sexism, his point is a good one: refrain from value judgments. Take into consideration only the facts about the text you are analyzing. When writing, base your arguments on the text itself, and any critical sources, without involving personal emotions and prejudices. In this way, your argument will be rational and objective, and therefore successful.

Use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English--it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. While we do not necessarily be as curt and staccato as Hemingway, when in doubt, simplicity is the way to go. The simpler your language, the clearer and more convincing your ideas are more likely to be. Notice how this tip echoes Twain's own advice: the use of figurative language "fluff and flowers" is whimsical, but unnecessary. "Verbosity" too is not a "short word" as he recommends. This sentence is figurative and uses long words and as such is harder to read. Stick to simple language.

The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say. Here, Twain gives us important insight into the editing process. Often, we are not really certain what we want to say until we have finished writing our paper. Twain suggests that the first draft of a paper serves as an outline, that is, as a means to focus our ideas. The true writing process begins only once we have done this. Rewriting is a must; if you have complete writer's block, starting entirely anew may be the way to thaw your mind and hand.

Write without pay until somebody offers pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence as the sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for. Although nobody will be paying us for our seminar, this is valuable advice for those of us who hope to write for a living. Do not expect to be paid for your work right away, nor should you write for too long for free. Do work hard at your writing and watch as your grades climb.

Write gooder, sayth Twain.

Image by Joanna Kosinska