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Assignment? Ducking Adverbs
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Assignment? Ducking Adverbs |
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Brian James Member
since 2005-06-26
Posts 147Winnipeg 
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One of the things that a creative writing instructor I had a while ago told me was to avoid using adverbs, at all costs. Now my first reaction was to say, why? But I think I'm starting to see what he was getting at. Would anybody be interested in an assignment that explores ways in which descriptive language can be used to replace adverbs? Maybe we could write little descriptive poems that describe something in an adverbial sense (the way in which something happens) but without using any adverbs per se. If anybody's interested, I could dig up a few great examples to get you in the mood. What does anyone say? Thanks, and for the record, I'm sorry for being so absent so long. Brian "To me, the thing that art does for life is to clean it, to strip it to form." |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
I'd be interested in such a class, as long as you don't mind all my questions when I don't fully understand what you expect. After all... I am Dutch.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/adverb.htm Munda, here is a nice little exercise. Brian...when you come back, you do so with a bang! This will be an enjoyable quest! |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
LOL Sunny One! The questions is not: "What is an adverb," but "what to replace it with and give the new line exactly the same meaning as the old one." (Umm I think) Anyway, quite a challenge I think! Thanks for the link though. Every bit of information will help.  Btw... are you going to be in this class? |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Not to be a "party pooper"... But what do you have against adverbs? |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
An adverb is a word that describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb... For instance: quote: Newly - modifies the adjective "hatched." Happily is an adverb modifying the adjective, "quacking." Very is an adverb modifying "dutifully", which is another adverb modifying the verb, "followed." Perfectly is an adverb modifying the adjective, "lined." More often than not, an adverb ends in "LY" - but certainly not always. I personally agree with Brian's first instinct... That is, that we can use adverbs (or adjectives - I've seen avoidance of those as an exercise as well) responsibly in our poetry and they can enhance our work rather than deter from it. But I can also see that they can be abused easily. That in itself makes this exercise a worthwhile one... |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Hiya Teach! Trying to confuse the Dutch uh? Argh, just when I thought I got it! Where's Brian? I'm going to do this class, no matter what, but pleeeaaase keep the explanation simple.  Good to see you Nan. |
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Brian James Member
since 2005-06-26
Posts 147Winnipeg |
Nan, I was merely suggesting it would be an experiment in descriptive language to try and use the adverbial sense without relying on adverbs. Similarly I imagine it might be fun to try and do without adjectives. I'll prepare something soon to stimulate some poetry. Not to give too much away, but I'm going to post this while introducing a new formal concept, and allow the two to cohere in our class discussion. To answer someone's question, yes, I'll take part in this challenge myself. "To me, the thing that art does for life is to clean it, to strip it to form." ~Robert Frost |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Geesh....... If Brian's going to, I may have to as well....  |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Brian, ( Hand raised in the back row ).An assignment in " unflowery verse " sounds good, might I join? Doc |
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ChristianSpeaks Member
since 2006-05-18
Posts 396Iowa, USA |
How do I get in on the lovely (ah crap) deal? CS |
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rrrstop Junior Member
since 2007-04-21
Posts 27Florida |
ChristianSpeaks, the above is okay per assignment, as "lovely" modifies the noun "deal" there. If I am not mistaken, this deal would (or would have?) include(d) rephrasing examples such as Nan's, perhaps like so: A new-hatched band of quack-happy ducklings followed Mom and duty alike, in perfect form and line upon their yappy little hike. ...er, something like that, only without the lazy-cheap compound words? |
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