language – Almost An Author

The Common Comma – Part II

The comma is one of those punctuation marks that has an outsized impact in relationship to its size. It’s the little but mighty mark of the punctuation world.

One place where a comma can make a big difference is in restrictive and nonrestrictive—or if you prefer—essential and nonessential clauses. Essential/restrictive clauses include necessary information that must not be set off with punctuation, such as these examples:

Jan and Perry bought the clock that chimes on the hour and half hour.

The fabric (that) Jenny needed to finish her project was backordered.

A theater that has served a small southern Missouri town for fifty years will close next month.

Nonrestrictive or nonessential clauses or phrases are set off with commas. Note how a slight change in the wording and punctuation changes the meaning of these sentences:

The clock, which chimes on the hour and half hour, was Jan and Perry’s anniversary gift.

Here the description (modifier) of the clock is not essential to the sentence and is set off in commas.)

The fabric, which was backordered, would not arrive before the project deadline.

The Omni Theater, which has served a small southern Missouri town for fifty years, will close next month.

Making the clause nonrestrictive indicates that the Omni is one of several theaters in the small town. The previous sentence with its restrictive clause limits the closing to the theater that has served the town for fifty years.

Note the use of that and which. That is used for restrictive clauses, which for nonrestrictive. Nonrestrictive clauses could be eliminated without changing the basic meaning of a sentence, thus they are set off with commas.

Similar rules apply to appositives.

An appositive is a word or phrase modifying or describing a noun. A nonrestrictive appositive restates the noun or pronoun without changing the essential meaning of the sentence.

Peggy’s husband, Robert, is a model train aficionado.

Since Peggy has only one husband, the appositive Robert is nonessential and is set off in commas.

My brother John is five years younger than me.

I have more than one brother so it is essential to identify which one is younger. Here, John is a restrictive appositive; no comma.

Fredrick Backman’s debut novel, “A Man Called Ove,” is one of my favorite books.

An author can only have one debut novel, so either debut or the book title could be eliminated without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.

Backman’s novel A Man Called Ove has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for more than forty weeks.

Backman’s debut novel is the only one to have been on the best seller list this long, thus the title restricts the modifier to that book and no comma is required.

Like language itself, punctuation rules are evolving—especially in the age of social media. But the publishing world still adheres to these. Aspiring authors ought to, also.

5 Ways to Keep Your Poetry Simple

Simplicity is extremely valuable when it comes to communicating through poetry. I’ve always wanted my poems to positively impact the reader rather than turn them away.

From my experience, here are five things to keep in mind as you craft your own poems that will allow readers to appreciate them fully.

1: Relatable Subject

First, choose a recognizable subject that will resonate with your audience. If the reader can relate to the subject, he or she will appreciate the poem that much more. Many poets, if not all, write from the unique inspirations of everyday life. Example

2 : Simple Language

You might be tempted to use academic words or jargon in poetry, but I recommend that you do this sparingly and only for a certain effect, such as humor or reverence. Your ideas can still be complex, and you should use unique words and phrases. Just make sure your poem on the whole is decipherable. Example

3: Comprehensible Message

What meaning do you want to convey through your poetry? Whatever it is, try to make sure that it fits our common experience. People understand themes such as beauty, death, joy and disappointment. Choosing a simple message will make sure that the reader “gets it.” Example

4: Clear Imagery

Every poet should use figurative language and poetic devices to create imagery and mood in their poetry. That’s where the true complexity and skill comes into play. Whatever techniques you use should create easily visualized images that touch one or more of the five senses. Example

5: Familiar References

Allusion is a powerful poetic tool, but it can often leave the reader confused. If you make references, try to allude to people, places, events, etc… for which most of your readers will have some knowledge. If you make an obscure reference, the readers might miss the entire point. Example

Knowing Your Audience

Most of these suggestions have to do with knowing your audience. As you consider these ideas, also keep in mind your readers. If they will understand academic vocabulary, obscure subjects and references and extraordinary topics, then by all means use them.

Warning: Simplicity Doesn’t Mean Easy

[bctt tweet=”If it’s too easy to write, then you probably didn’t try hard enough. #writers #poets”]

I want to be very clear about what I mean by keeping poetry simple.

When writing poetry using my suggestions, you may be tempted to simplify the techniques. For example, forcing rhyme in a poem at the expense of your diction (word choice). Or using clichés instead of coming up with original similes, metaphors, etc…

Be reminded that writing poetry shouldn’t be an easy task for you, the poet. It takes much skill to craft a commendable poem that resonates with a reader. If it’s too easy to write, then you probably didn’t try hard enough.

Just saying.

Because poetry is an art, we want it to be worthy of appreciation as well as accessible to the world. We want our readers to understand it, but not oversimplify it so it loses its aesthetic value.

And I’m not suggesting that you should never write poems that have mystery and depth—both add value to poetry.

I simply believe that the complexity should mostly challenge the poet rather than the reader.

Do you have any other suggestions for writing understandable poetry? Tell me below.

[bctt tweet=”Let the complexity of poetry challenge the poet rather than the reader. #poets #poetry “]