RE: Basic Newbie Grammar Questions

RE: Basic Newbie Grammar Questions

Hi folks,

I have been trying to find out the reasons why authors make the decisions to present certain grammatical/language features which they do. I have watched many You-Tube tutorials but it does not seem to be too often that people respond to viewers questions.


Firstly, what is (please) the main reason behind a long-list of nouns. I think the intended effect is to cause the reader a sense of feeling 'overwhelmed':

eg. "They carried tables, chairs, books, shoes, coats, bedding, curtains, cushions and paintings into the lobby".


Secondly, I guess this falls under 'alliteration', but what is the technical term for the application of starting consecutive sentences (in the same paragraph) with the same letter:

eg. "He walked in. Home was home. Having been away for so long it felt strange to Harold. Here he was back again. Heaven had answered his prayers."

In addition the this particular question, you can see there is the repetition of the letter 'H' buried within some sentences! I think this is called 'Paroemion'?


Many thanks in advance for any kind assistance offered here . . .

Best,

Paul David Seaman (UK)

<btw: these questions are in relation to my imminent GSCE English exam!>

Thank you AW,

So it's more towards a 'trope'. I never knew it is called 'cataloging' either. I made up the term 'listing, and I think some people refer to it as a 'laundry-list' also.


Is the colon optional please:

eg. "They carried: tables, chairs, books . . ."


Secondly (please), what is your opinion of whether or not an 'and' is required and the end of the cataloging:

" . . . curtains, cushions and paintings into the lobby".


Lastly, do you think the desired effect of using 'cataloging' is to overwhelm the reader, please?


Much appreciated.

Paul

Hi AW,

eg. "He walked in. Home was home. Having been away for so long it felt strange to Harold. Here he was back again. Heaven had answered his prayers."

In addition the this particular question, you can see there is the repetition of the letter 'H' buried within some sentences! I think this is called 'Paroemion'?

Click to expand...

Thanks, I knew it was called something like 'Paroemion'.

But let's say there were less 'H' letters in the paragraph; say a couple or so in every sentence. Then could you say that the letter 'H' was a grammatic-motif (to coin a phrase!)?

Ta,

Paul

Hi again,

<new question>

I understand that you have 'formal' and 'informal' texts. For instance, a job interview letter would be formal, whereas a letter to a local (say) library would be 'informal'. These both fall under 'Transactional Writing' - I am certain you know this already!

However, I am unclear as to how to classify the same parameters within the contexts of fiction/non-fiction stories.

For example, I am working through some GSCE pass-papers and one of the questions (relating to the text: "The Yellow Wallpaper" - Charlotte Perkins) asks if the writing is 'formal' or 'informal'. Because there is no slang, apostrophes or abbreviations then I assumed the story is 'formal'? That is my logical thinking, but admittedly this is not concrete.

In short, could one assume that most '19thC Classics' are all 'formal' writings (eg. Invisible Man, Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice) for the simple reason that their respective authors were accomplished in their field and that a 'formal' style was very much appropriate for this particular genre?

Ta,

Paul

Thanks Blacbird,

I appreciate your response.

My question is really in relation to an 'analysis' question which is very likely to appear in my looming English exam; rather than it being something I am trying to define for the purposes of my own fictional-writing (I would never even attempt to try and write something in the style of '19thC' because I am only a basic novice!).

To borrow your terminology, perhaps I could make three distinctions (for the purposes of the exam): 'formal', 'less-formal' 'informal'?

Ta,

Paul

(btw - I never seem to receive notifications that a response has been posted to my threads?).

RE: Basic Newbie Grammatical Questions

Hi AW,

Thank you for your reply.

I have been very polite and most grateful to the members who have replied here. But there seems to be a particular attitude on this site in that only certain types of people/questions are welcome?

My GCSE English exam is next Monday and we are currently on half-term (therefore I can not seek additional academic assistance as you sarcastically suggest). I did explain my questions were of the revision type (I do not see anything wrong with that personally?). I suppose your reply makes a change from the usual: "just Google it".

This is the second snotty reply I have received in my two personal threads. I trust 'locking' a member's thread gives you a great sense of power and satisfaction.

Therefore, can the Moderators please close down my Absolute Writers account asap!

AW - thank you for nothing.

Goodbye.

Paul

Mig,

mrsmig said:

I thought you flounced three months ago after you were asked politely to turn off capslock when posting. Do you mean it this time?

Click to expand...

Rearrange the following into a well know phrase or saying:

"OFF FUCK!"

Paul