In my first writing class in college our instructor told us not to use the verb 'to be' unless absolutely necessary. Like an old cliché, the verb 'to be' brings nothing fresh or exciting to one's writing. That verb delivers no action.
She gave us an exercise. Take a news item with about fifteen hundred words and rewrite it eliminating each instance of the verb 'to be.' Then compare your version with the original. I found this devilishly difficult. She proved right on it.
She forbade us to use the verb 'to be' at all in any of its many forms for one month. After that she relented. Times come up when nothing else but the verb 'to be' will work. When that happens its use will have great effect on your readers.
Use this. Your writing will improve immediately.
No comments:
Post a Comment