Reverse
Psychology In Grammar?
The article we read in class about semicolons really got me
thinking about the rights and wrongs in grammar. There are obviously rules that
we have to follow when constructing a sentence, without which the sentences
would be incorrect. There are also some aspects of grammar that are stylistic,
and don't have definite rules to go by. A writer has to choose what kind of
sentences he or she will use in his or her writing: simple, complex, compound
complex? There are also many differing opinions as to what is stylistically the
best way to wright, but none of these can ever be truly chosen as right or wrong
because there are no rules defining writing style. According to the article,
Kurt Vonnegut has a very strong opinion against semicolons. There is nothing
wrong with semicolons, but he vehemently opposes them! The writer of the
article first agrees with Vonnegut's position because he idolizes him, but then
comes to love semicolons. What I wonder is, was it the author's reading of
William James that caused his change of heart toward semicolons, or reverse
psychology? Everyone has experienced some situation where someone tells you not
to do something, but that only makes you want to do it more! That is the
essence of reverse psychology. I have experienced this specifically on the
subject of using passive voice in writing. Most English teachers tell students not
to use passive voice because it is less direct and lacks emphasis, but I like
the way passive voice sounds. When my teacher told me last year that we should
stay away from passive voice, it made me want to use it all the time! I think
this kind of opinionated command is especially effective in making one want to rebel
against it because there's not actually a rule against it! Both passive voice
and semicolons are grammatically acceptable, so being told you shouldn't use
them makes you want to use them even more just because you can! At least,
that's how I feel, and possibly how Ben Dolnick felt about semicolons, even if
he didn't know it.
The article we read in class about semicolons really got me
thinking about the rights and wrongs in grammar. There are obviously rules that
we have to follow when constructing a sentence, without which the sentences
would be incorrect. There are also some aspects of grammar that are stylistic,
and don't have definite rules to go by. A writer has to choose what kind of
sentences he or she will use in his or her writing: simple, complex, compound
complex? There are also many differing opinions as to what is stylistically the
best way to wright, but none of these can ever be truly chosen as right or wrong
because there are no rules defining writing style. According to the article,
Kurt Vonnegut has a very strong opinion against semicolons. There is nothing
wrong with semicolons, but he vehemently opposes them! The writer of the
article first agrees with Vonnegut's position because he idolizes him, but then
comes to love semicolons. What I wonder is, was it the author's reading of
William James that caused his change of heart toward semicolons, or reverse
psychology? Everyone has experienced some situation where someone tells you not
to do something, but that only makes you want to do it more! That is the
essence of reverse psychology. I have experienced this specifically on the
subject of using passive voice in writing. Most English teachers tell students not
to use passive voice because it is less direct and lacks emphasis, but I like
the way passive voice sounds. When my teacher told me last year that we should
stay away from passive voice, it made me want to use it all the time! I think
this kind of opinionated command is especially effective in making one want to rebel
against it because there's not actually a rule against it! Both passive voice
and semicolons are grammatically acceptable, so being told you shouldn't use
them makes you want to use them even more just because you can! At least,
that's how I feel, and possibly how Ben Dolnick felt about semicolons, even if
he didn't know it.
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