Word Painting

Summary

The article "Word Painting" argues for the value of adverbs and adjectives in writing, likening the writer's craft to a painter's ability to convey unique interpretations of a subject.

Abstract

"Word Painting" presents a defense of adverbs in literature, drawing a parallel between the nuanced interpretations of visual artists and writers. The author, Wolfstuff, posits that just as two painters can depict the same tree in distinct ways, two writers will narrate the same subject differently, each employing adverbs and adjectives to convey their unique perspective. The article emphasizes that language, with its finite vocabulary, relies on these descriptive words to capture the myriad of human experiences and emotions, much like how a tree can be described in countless ways. Wolfstuff encourages writers to use the full range of language tools available to them, including coined verbs from nouns, to express their vision as accurately as possible. The piece concludes by reaffirming the necessity of adverbs and adjectives in enriching narrative expression.

Opinions

Adverbs and adjectives are essential tools in writing, enabling writers to convey precise shades of meaning and emotion.
The craft of writing, much like painting, benefits from the subjective interpretations of the artist, which are conveyed through their choice of words.
A writer's portrayal of a subject is as unique as a painter's rendering, with descriptive language allowing for a billion different "stories" of the same object.
The limitation of language's vocabulary is acknowledged, but the article argues that adverbs and adjectives help overcome this by providing nuance and clarity to a writer's expression.
The author encourages the creation of new verbs from existing nouns, suggesting that language is a flexible medium for artistic expression.
Writers are urged to embrace all linguistic resources, including adverbs, to fully capture and communicate their intended message.

Adverbial Colors

Image by Author

Were there no need for adverbs There would be no adverbs — Obviously

When it comes to writing — the craft of — there appears to be as many opinions afoot as there are writers. A commonly held conviction, however, seems to be that we could very well do without adverbs: just find the right verb, goes the mantra (same as the adjective-haters holler: find the right noun).

Here’s the problem with that.

Two painters, true to their craft, painting the same tree, will end up with two different canvass trees. The model tree is perceived by two different minds, colored by two different pasts, two different sensibilities — that is why art is so revered (when it is): we see the painters’ interpretations of the subject, his/her own, unique view; and if this view is amazing (think Munch, think Dali, think Goya) then art has earned its keep.

Still, there is but the one tree.

There are a billion shades of tree.

Still, there is but the one word: tree.

There are a billion tree stories.

For the same holds for the writer. Two different writers, musing on and describing the same thing or event or emotion or whatever, will end up with two different stories, observed and conceived by two different minds, colored by two different pasts, by two different views — each resorting to such adverbs or adjectives as may help narrow and clarify the writer’s true impression of the thing or event — the words that best will tell the story.

Even the most impressive of thesauri does not have a billion synonyms for tree: it is up to the writer to paint it as closely and clearly as he or she can, given the available words in his or her language — adverbs and adjectives included.

A tree. A lonely tree. A crowded tree. A susurring (yes, it’s allowed you know: you can make up verbs from good nouns — susurrous) tree. A stern tree. A forgiving tree. A lost tree. A rambling tree. A laughing tree. A tree-less tree. And so forth.

The tree is what the writer sees and then conveys.

Yes, adverbs and adjectives included.

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Word Painting

Adverbial Colors

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