Lesson 44. Rhythms and Patterns│The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

Exploring the Rhythm of Great Writing

The Importance of Rhythm in Sentences

• Last lesson focused on cognitive reasons for effective patterns in great writers' sentences; this lesson shifts to phrases and rhythmic patterns.

• Good sentences, like music, possess rhythm; mastery can often be felt when reading aloud, as seen with Virginia Woolf's prose.

• F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby exemplifies rhythmic mastery at the sentence level, highlighting that such skills require extensive practice.

Understanding Tricolon

• A tricolon is a common construction involving lists of three items; it serves as a basic unit in both prose and poetry.

• Example of tricolon: "You’ve seen tricolon a lot in stories, in textbooks, and in this sentence as well," showcasing its rhythmic arrangement.

• The syllable count within a tricolon can create specific rhythms; Melville’s description of a whale’s jet illustrates this concept effectively.

Tricolon Crescendo and Decrescendo

• A tricolon crescendo involves increasing syllable length for emphasis; it mirrors musical crescendos where sound gradually intensifies.

• In contrast, the tricolon decrescendo starts with longer items and moves to shorter ones, emphasizing the final item significantly.

• Both constructions enhance writing by manipulating rhythm to draw attention to key ideas or themes.

Patterns of Repetition

• Repetition is another vital element in great writing; it aids recognition and processing while allowing rhythm manipulation similar to tricolons.

• Examples include anaphora (repeating words at the beginning), which creates emphasis through structure—seen in Moby Dick with "all that."

Diverse Uses of Repetition

• Writers may repeat words or phrases to highlight diversity within categories or connect ideas through conjunction repetition for effect.

Exploring Repetition in Writing

The Power of Repetition

• The use of repetition can create a vivid image, as illustrated by the description of various sea workers: "a brown and brawny company, with bosky beards; an unshorn, shaggy set." This technique emphasizes their ruggedness and camaraderie.

• Different forms of the same word within a clause can convey deeper meanings. The speaker reflects on their grandfather's saying about how certain professions do not define one's essence, contrasting it with the idea that a drinker often becomes a drunk.

• Similarly constructed modifiers enhance descriptions. An example is given with "the White Steed of the Prairies," which paints a majestic picture through detailed attributes like "large-eyed" and "small-headed."

• Rhythm in writing is crucial for maintaining reader engagement. By listening to great poets, writers can learn to apply techniques such as syllable counting to avoid clunky prose.