Write like you talk • Hacker News Board

Re: Write like you talk

#11

Post by l33tbro » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:32 PM UTC

ruricolist wrote: post #7

If you can't say "mercurial Spaniard" to your friends, get new friends.

Totally. I strongly disagree with the sentiment behind this article, which is odd considering how invaluable PG's advice usually is. I agree, nothing is more cringe than the misguided being overly-verbose. But dissauding the intelligent and capable from flexing their lexicon seems a little harsh. No Oscar Wilde or Robert Hughes? No thanks.

Re: Write like you talk

#12

Post by trjordan » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:32 PM UTC

If you're going to do this, edit heavily afterwards.

Most conversation is pretty redundant. Because not everybody hears every word, it's acceptable to say things a couple different ways in order to make sure you're understood. That's less OK in an essay or email, because it's assumed you considered everything you wrote.

If you don't believe me, try transcribing an email instead of typing it. Simple transcriptions aren't good writing.

Re: Write like you talk

#13

Post by rtehfm » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:35 PM UTC

ruricolist wrote: post #7

If you can't say "mercurial Spaniard" to your friends, get new friends.

I'd, gladly, substitute 'mercurial Spaniard' with an honest 'thank you'. To each their own when seeking friendship. Finding honest, humble friends, in my opinion, supersedes worldly, articulate fellows.

Re: Write like you talk

#14

Post by tamaatar » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:35 PM UTC

For general day to day stuff we all write, yes I agree. Hate reading emails and articles with a lot of unnecessary jargon. However, Writing- as in writing fiction,poetry,drama etc is an art. Just like a great painting, it is complex and it gives people an idea of the great mind of the author and what he thought of the book from his perspective.

Imagine war and peace written in spoken language.:(

Re: Write like you talk

#15

Post by criddell » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:38 PM UTC

I wish I could talk like I write. When I have a lot to talk about, I have a hard time not jumping around and end up being a little incoherent.

Re: Write like you talk

#16

Post by mcnamaratw » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:39 PM UTC

stillsut wrote: post #2

I prefer to write like a man reading his powerpoint slides verbatim

Hueh! And that's how I naturally talk, too.

Re: Write like you talk

#17

Post by cloudhead » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:39 PM UTC

Yes, as long as you aren't writing about emotion or sensation or philosophy or psychology or anything deeply human.

Re: Write like you talk

#18

Post by whatafaaa » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:40 PM UTC

trjordan wrote: post #12

If you're going to do this, edit heavily afterwards. Most conversation is pretty redundant. Because not everybody hears every word, it's acceptable to say things a couple different ways in order to make sure you're understood. That's less OK in an essay or email, because it's assumed you considered everything you wrote. If you don't believe me, try transcribing an email instead of typing it. Simple transcriptions are…

Especially with email I value brevity over "natural" language. I spend time editing my written communications so others don't have to waste time getting to the meat of the message.

Re: Write like you talk

#19

Post by sparrish » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:40 PM UTC

Please don't write like you talk. It's bad enough having to listen to them, I don't want to have to read the expletives as well.

Re: Write like you talk

#20

Post by meow_mix » Sun, Oct 25, 2015, 9:41 PM UTC

Writing style is an aesthetic: It should suit the subject matter. I wouldn't want to read Tolstoy in the athletic clothing of ideas. The article feels like an overgeneralization.