What Makes a Sentence a Masterpiece? Is it simplicity or style?

Posted by $ Olduglycarl 9 years, 3 months ago to Entertainment
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Anyone care to give it a try?

First comment will be my effort.


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  • Posted by $ CBJ 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    For the sake of simplicity and style, I'll leave it as it is. Who says creative accomplishment requires hard work? :-)
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  • Posted by lrshultis 9 years, 3 months ago
    I like a sentence which does a lot in a short number of words and worth quoting like:

    "Envy will hasten to his dark corner whence he will
    summon his even more hideous cousin, malicious glee"
    Kierkegaard

    Rand had a lot of such sentences that are rememberable and worth quoting.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 9 years, 3 months ago
    There is so much that depends on context that it is hard to single out a sentence without it becoming an epigram. To me what comes before or after the sentence, or even a word is what does it for me. Example, "But I don't think of you, Mr. Toohey." -- Ayn Rand. That is one of the really great sentences in all literature, but you MUST be aware of what prefaces it. Take some of Hemingway as another example. He is far from my favorite author but he does have a way with words.One author may describe a woman as having the attributes of this, that, and the other. Hemingway would describe the same woman, "Not bad."
    Reporter: Mr. Hemingway, your novels are so full of.....
    Hemingway: Short sentences/
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 9 years, 3 months ago
    As the skies grew a foreboding somber gray, it was with bitter trepidation that I left the stage of the world, no longer willing to toil fruitlessly, or bear witness to the great lady liberty weeping, as if reconciled to the knowledge that she could shine upon the world no longer.

    A feeble attempt on my part...
    O.A.
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  • Posted by $ CBJ 9 years, 3 months ago
    It was a bright and sunny night.
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  • Posted by unitedlc 9 years, 3 months ago
    As the horrendous miasma of what can only be described as liberal smugness and a hint of jasmine scented Bed Bath & Beyond body mist continued to permeate my olfactory membrane, I suddenly realized that, in my haste to leave this god-forsaken edifice emblazoned with the name "Democratic National Committee", I forgot to lock the doors of my trusty Ford truck, only to find a desolate region of blacktop once occupied by Old Red, leaving me isolated to only my wits in an attempt to leave this infestation once known as the great city of Chicago.

    or

    Since plastic dinosaurs are made from oil, and oil is made from dinosaurs, then plastic dinosaurs are made from real dinosaurs.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 9 years, 3 months ago
    both simplicity and direct meaning which draws on
    your imagination plus the style which hooks you
    into the concepts involved. . "young yet and tough,
    not at wit's end; we each need only say yes." -- j


    p.s. that's from a poem from long ago, one of mine.
    .
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  • Posted by $ 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    A question of mine also...might simplicity be a style also?, I think that would depend on the definition or the connotation of style in the times reflected.
    Definition of Style

    In literature, style comprises many literary devices that an author employs to create a distinct feel for a work. These devices include, but are not limited to, point of view, symbolism, tone, imagery, diction, voice, syntax, and the method of narration. Style is a fundamental aspect of fiction, as it is naturally part of every work of prose written. Some types of writing are required to have a certain style, such as academic or journalistic writing. However, every work of creative writing takes on its own style.

    By that definition, we may have to define: Simplicity.

    Full Definition of simplicity
    plural simplicities

    1
    : the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded

    2
    a : lack of subtlety or penetration : innocence, naivetéb : folly, silliness

    3
    : freedom from pretense or guile : candor

    4
    a : directness of expression : clarityb : restraint in ornamentation : austerity

    Other than being simple or direct in style, by literary definition, they are mutually exclusive.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Stare fixedly at the individual upwind. If they are smart they will do the same. Then look down wind and with appropriate facial expression disgust, disbelief, mirth..... no words needed. If very very sulfurous get up and move shaking head and grimacing also aholding breath then....the exhale. Passing the butt hillary method.
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  • Posted by $ 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    As we see often in our present divided culture, one might except the authors authority and the other not. That's why we get different readings of the Constitution although, using the word "readings" in reference to the latter would bring an argument of semantic proportions...Humor.
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  • Posted by $ 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes...I think my problem sometimes is I mix the arts and the different mediums with present day straight speak and the ways of writing old, which has had a profound impression on me and the way I wish to write and express my vision.
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  • Posted by $ 9 years, 3 months ago in reply to this comment.
    How would that present itself in the form of descriptive metaphors. Your chosen descriptions might bring to mind something different for each, not to mention the times the metaphor is set in.
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