Essay: Mark Twain's Writing Advice, Part One

Who doesn't wish he could write like Mark Twain? No one is probably the answer, if only for the purpose of getting through our B.A. unscathed. Experts before me have gathered some writing tips from the 19th century master of American wit, and I will now try to explore briefly the wisdom behind some of his recommendations. The tips in Twain's words I copied from a list at about.com. 

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. This suggestion is very pertinent to us when writing our seminar papers, because of the quantity of information we have to process. First, make sure you understand the argument that your secondary source is making. After you have understood exactly what the author tries to say, you may – elegantly of course – utilize their words in a way that suits your argument.

Use the right word, not its second cousin. If you are uncertain whether the word that comes to mind is the exact right word, take some time to use the thesaurus. Avoid malapropisms.

As to the Adjective: when in doubt, strike it out. If you are not sure a word adds substance or sharpens meaning, omit it. Deleting is probably the best editing tip of all. When you are stuck trying to make a sentence sound right, try deleting a portion of it. Usually, that fixes the problem.

You need not expect to get your book [or seminar] right the first time. Go to work and revamp or rewrite it. God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention. These are God's adjectives. You thunder and lightning too much; the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by. What Twain is trying to say, I believe, is that writing quickly tires one out. Due to time constraints, however, we write even when we are not at our most sprightly and chipper. Consequently, we inevitably produce some drivel, and this is when the editing process comes in. But perhaps the most important implication here is this: do not be easily disheartened. Writing can be a long and grueling process. Expect that, and it will become easier.

Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write very; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. Perhaps we should refrain from handing in a seminar paper filled with profanities; that would probably not serve us well. However, the message here is clear: the word "very" is redundant. Instead of using the adverb/adjective "very", choose a noun or verb with a slightly stronger connotation. Instead of "very willful", use "obstinate" or "disobedient".

Write gooder, sayth Twain.

Image by Joanna Kosinska