Question: What are some characteristics of “style”?
Answer: Free modifiers can occur at the beginning of a sentence, in the middle of a senesce and/or at the end of a sentence. Quote: “Free modifiers, according to [Francis] Christensen, are optional … (e.g., … clauses or … phrases) that can be added at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence and function according to a principle he calls addition.” P. 80.
The author, Paul Butler, suggests that students learn to use free modifiers by imitating models. And, by the way, someone once did a study of what constitutes a “mature” writing style. The verdict? Frequency of free modifiers. Here are some examples of free modifiers in action from George Orwell’s Burmese Days:
“The dog shivered in the background, wet from nosing his way through the early morning grasses.”
“The gallows stood in a small yard, separate from the main grounds of the prison and overgrown with tall prickly weeds.”
“In a small yard, separate from the main grounds and overgrown with tall prickly weeds, stood the gallows.”
Comment: I think the author of this article has an excellent idea about having students practice using free modifiers by imitating models. I would take his advice. RayS.
Title: “Reconsidering the Teaching of Style.” Paul Butler. English Journal (March 2011), 77-92.
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