“How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”

“How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”

            In “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”, Paul Roberts gives instructions to his learners on how to write good essays. According to Roberts, the writer’s main job entails finding an argument, angle, approach and wording that takes the reader with him/her. Thus, Roberts clarifies that this is not easy, especially with subject that have been written on extensively.  He further ascertains that even subjects that writers have restricted understanding about or those that are intrinsically dull might turn out to be increasingly interesting in case the writer adheres to Roberts’ guidelines pertaining to content and wording.

The initial directive entails a voiding the obvious content.  Following the selection of the argument side to take, a writer must create a list of supporting points and also disregard them. According to Roberts, the initial points are always the palpable ones that make for the uninteresting reading, as well as a bad grade. In this regard, he calls for the thinking of amusing and original points and arguments. Thus, he asserts that summing up the obvious points and arguments and after that disregarding them enables the readers to anticipate an unanticipated and different essay.

The second proposal made by Roberts is to assume the less usual side and calls on the readers to not be fully concerned with the points of views of the reader during the writing of the points and arguments. As such, he advises that the reader should assume an angle that enables for increasingly original arguments given that this will make the essay interesting. The assumption of the less normal point of view also allows for originality of arguments.  In his description, Roberts asserts that the side that seems difficult to defend is always the side that is much easier to effectively write about and interesting.  However, one of the subjects that he advises that students against is the subject on personalities, which he maintains that is not humorous. Moreover, Roberts also instruct the learners to find ways of slipping out of abstraction by advising the writers to ascertain that his/her essay does not contain a lot of generalities.  As such, all abstract statements have to be effectively backed up with adequate examples that are not only specific but also factual so as to assist the readers in visualizing the points.

With regards to abstract statements, Roberts maintain that they are not only boring but also unconvincing to read.  Rather, he calls on the readers to ascertain that all their point come alive through ensuring that they are specific and visual.  For that reason, Roberts gives examples of some actual facts that a writer can utilize ion proving his or her arguments through illustrations involving juvenile delinquents as a means of attaining this. The other notable means entails.  An additional way of accomplishing this entails the creation of examples that are either personal or visually descriptive.  The instance of Alfy Simkins, a poor footballer and his challenges assists in convincing the readers with regards to the challenges.  In such instances, Roberts tends to remind his readers that though an essay may have several visuals and anecdotes, it will be better compared to an essay with several abstract statements.

The fourth proposal offered by Roberts regards getting rid of the apparent padding. Thus, Roberts advises the writers to avoid making use of unnecessary words in the course of making attempts at meeting a set word count. Concerned and responsible learners should try and find illustrative examples and increased amount of content. In his example, “call a fool a fool”, Roberts additionally demonstrates the point regarding the need for elimination of additional words. He, nevertheless, clarifies that learners tend to have a myriad of reasons for extra words with one of the key reasons being the dearth of confidence that result in phrases like “in my opinion”. Additionally, the learners are also apprehensive about making negative statements and might opt for euphemism. The author has additionally c clarified the significance of specifics, clarity and elimination of the words that are prone to weaken an individual’s arguments and point of view. He, however, fails to offer caution with regards to the use of bad language all through an individual’s essay, in an attempt to be more direct. Further, in “Beware of pat expressions”, Roberts take in the widely utilized clichés and phrases by writers, and whose use is minimized by the good writers. He also maintains that such clichés and phrases tend to act as hindrances between the writer and his or her thoughts/points.

Roberts makes use of the last three sections to define certain word type; colorless, colored and colorful. According to Roberts, “Colorful Words” refer to words that aid the reader with the visualization, hearing and feeling what the writer needs. As such, Roberts makes an attempt at clarifying the significance of certain words that the writer selects, as well as the incessant effort by the writer to settle on the apt words. On the other hand, regarding the “Colored Words”, Roberts describe them as words with both constructive and unconstructive associations. For instance, while “mother” is offered as a constructive case in point, “mother-in-law” is offered as an unconstructive one. Writers are highly prone to settle on words that tend to echo the varied circumstances under which they have been heard before so as to drive their points home. The decision to make use of the loaded words or not is highly dependent on the function or purpose. The use of colored words as opposed to the expression of thoughts might be degrading and insulting, and, for that reason, the writer is advised to give consideration to such words.