Writing with Rhythm

You'll be aware that rhythm is important in music, but did you know it's important in writing too? Poetry, whether or not it rhymes, is dependent on rhythm. The words need to flow freely, not trip each other up, unless you want to create that effect for a special reason.

But in prose, short stories, novels, even articles, rhythm is important too. If someone were to read the piece out loud the sounds must move in an attractive way. Of course, it's even more important for a piece of drama to have rhythm too as it's designed to be spoken. Actors will find it very difficult to perform if the words trip them up instead of tripping off their tongues.

So how can you make sure your writing has rhythm? The easiest way is to read your piece out loud, putting a mark against any words or phrases that don't work. Often all you will need to do is rejig a sentence very slightly to improve the rhythm.

If you aren't musical and you don't feel you have an ear for rhythm, you can acquire one by reading poetry out loud to yourself. Even reading one poem a day will help you to hone your sense of rhythm.

So go with the flow - add rhythm to your writing and hear it swing!

'Get It Right' - Part 3 - Adjectives and Adverbs

Adverb or Adjective?

Both adverbs and adjectives modify (describe) something. Adverbs describe how something is done - quickly, carefully, sweetly, roughly, scarily - whereas adjectives describe what something is like - quick, careful, sweet, rough, scary.

How to Spot an Adverb

It's easy to spot the difference between an adjective and an adverb. Adverbs often end in -ly, though there are a few exceptions.

Puzzle

Can you spot the adverbs in the following list?

hoarsely good excitement foolishly enthusiastically wrong well bubbly uniquely holy mad old

The answer can be found at the end of this posting.

When Do You Use an Adverb?

Whether you need to use an adverb or an adjective depends on what it is that you want to describe - whether you're talking about the way something is done or what something is like.

Adverbs

Adverbs are attached to a verb - a doing word - and describe how the verb is being done. For example, take the following sentence:

The burglar crept softly into the house.

What is it that is being described? It's the way the burglar crept. Crept is a verb, so softly must be an adverb.

Adjectives

Adjectives are attached to a noun - a naming word - and describe what the noun is like. For example:

The nurse spoke to the patient in a soft voice.

What is it that is soft? It's the nurse's voice. Voice is a noun, so soft must be an adjective.

An Adverb instead of an Adjective

Of course, you could rewrite the sentence so that it uses an adverb instead:

The nurse spoke softly to the patient.

The next time you're reading something, why not see if you can spot for yourself which are the adjectives and which are the adverbs?

Tomorrow's Blog

This is the last in this week's mini-series about the nuts and bolts of the English language. Tomorrow we'll look at how to write an opening to a story or article that will make your readers want to read on.

The Writing Wizard

I have a new blog site, The Writing Wizard, in which I will be applying my magic touch to your writing problems. I'll be providing advice, tuition, and inspiration for aspiring writers.

You can read The Writing Wizard on http://www.bloglines.com/blog/GaleBarker.

Solution to the puzzle: The adverbs are: hoarsely foolishly enthusiastically well uniquely.
Well is one of the exceptions - an adverb that doesn't end in -ly. Bubbly and holy end in -ly, but they are actually adjectives.