the sense of style steven pinker summary

Somewhat, fairly, rather, nearly, relatively….

The reader is there to see what the writer will do about it.

Classic prose gives the reader credit for knowing that many concepts are hard to define, many controversies hard to resolve.

There is much uncertainty about the interpretation of experimental data and a great deal of controversy surrounding the theories. It is difficult to give precise definitions of the concept of ‘language’ and the concept of ‘acquisition’ and the concept of ‘children’. The problem of language acquisition is extremely complex.

Classic: All children acquire the ability to speak and understand a language without explicit lessions.

In this article, recent theories of this process will be reviewed.

Not classic: In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have turned their attention to the problem of child language acquisition.

The focus is on the thing being shown, not on the activity of studying it.

Abstruse mathematical notion of euqations breaking down explained by “similar to the error message returned by a calculator when you try to divide 1 by 0”.

Universe expanding as a mental movie that can be run backwards.

The writer’s chief, if unstated, concern is to escape being convicted of philosophical naiveté about his own enterprise.

Academic typically write in Postmodern/Self-conscious style.

Contemplative Style Oracular Style Practical Style.

The goal is to help the reader see objective reality.

He positions the reader so she can see it with her own eyes.

The writer has seen something in the world.

Classic style - Francis-Noël Thomas & Mark Turner.

What the writer is trying to accomplish.

Good style requires a coherent mental model of the communication scenario.

Base advice on the science & scholarship.

Users have no way of understanding and assimilating the advice.

No principled understanding of how language works.

Arbitrary list of dos and don’ts based on the tastes of the authors.

The Problem with Traditional Style Advice

Use definite, specific, concrete language.

What we can do to improve the craft of writing? The Elements of Style

Can’t react, break in, ask for clarification.

Readers are unknown, invisible, inscrutable.

Speech is instinctive, writing is and always has been hard – Charles Darwin.

Implication: it was better before the digital age. Theory 2: Digital Media are Ruining the Language scientist who have nothing to hide and no need to impress.

Not true in general: good people can write bad prose. Pseudo-intellectuals bambooze their readers to hide the fact that they have nothing to say.Bureaucrats insist on gibberish to evade responsibility.

Part I Why do we put up with Legalese/Academese? Theory 1: Bad writing is a deliberate choice Ĭheck out this captivating and humorous lecture on YouTube. This blog has been migrated to linghao.io.

The sense of style steven pinker summary