In fourth grade, each time we had to do a special assignment, the teacher passed around little blue composition books. I'd write stories and essays using those lovely verb descriptors: adverbs. You might remember those, even though they've been blacklisted from the modern writing world: She walked slowly. His eyes widened slightly. She drank noisily. He said enthusiastically.
I grew up assuming that adverbs were good - the more, the better. Even now, when I read to my five-year-old daughter, her books are full of them.
Then I started reading writer's magazines. "If the verb is strong enough," all of the articles proclaimed, "then you don't need any adverbs. Search through your entire manuscript and delete any words ending in 'ly'. Replace all of the associated verbs with stronger verbs." You cannot write "She walked slowly." Instead, write: "She dragged her feet" or "He plodded along" or "She crept through the silent house." Admittedly, these verbs do project a more vivid image of the action, and I use them as much as I can. In fact, I have an Excel workbook full of verbs, and a specific worksheet dedicated just to verbs that describe a person's walk (I'm an engineer; I like spreadsheets.).
Still, while deleting/replacing my adverbs, I kept wondering, why are we taught to use adverbs as kids if we're not supposed to use them when we grow up? I don't get it. Either teach us to use stronger verbs, or let us use the adverbs! I'll admit - I've rebelled here and there. If you look closely, the 'ly' sometimes creeps into my writing. Because instead of shuffling, hobbling, or lumbering, my character just wants to walk slowly!
I grew up assuming that adverbs were good - the more, the better. Even now, when I read to my five-year-old daughter, her books are full of them.
Then I started reading writer's magazines. "If the verb is strong enough," all of the articles proclaimed, "then you don't need any adverbs. Search through your entire manuscript and delete any words ending in 'ly'. Replace all of the associated verbs with stronger verbs." You cannot write "She walked slowly." Instead, write: "She dragged her feet" or "He plodded along" or "She crept through the silent house." Admittedly, these verbs do project a more vivid image of the action, and I use them as much as I can. In fact, I have an Excel workbook full of verbs, and a specific worksheet dedicated just to verbs that describe a person's walk (I'm an engineer; I like spreadsheets.).
Still, while deleting/replacing my adverbs, I kept wondering, why are we taught to use adverbs as kids if we're not supposed to use them when we grow up? I don't get it. Either teach us to use stronger verbs, or let us use the adverbs! I'll admit - I've rebelled here and there. If you look closely, the 'ly' sometimes creeps into my writing. Because instead of shuffling, hobbling, or lumbering, my character just wants to walk slowly!
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