He was intrigued by the power of words, not the literary words that filled the books in the library but the sharp, staccato words that went into the writing of news stories. Words that went for the jugular. Active verbs that danced and raced on the page.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the impactful nature of words, particularly in journalism, over mere literary usage.
Robert Cormier highlights the significant power that words can possess, especially when utilized in the context of news writing. Unlike the often flowery language found in literature, he focuses on the direct and dynamic words that convey urgency and impact, illustrating how certain phrases can effectively capture attention and provoke thought.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of media, one could use this quote to illustrate how powerful language can shape public opinion.
Archie became absolutely still, afraid that the rapid beating of his heart might betray his sudden knowledge, the proof of what he'd always suspected, not only of Brother Leon but most grownups, most adults: they were vulnerable, running scared, open to invasion.
Birds sat on the telegraph wires that spanned the river as the black notes sit on a staff of music.
I've always felt writing a song was a bit like going on location. That's true in an almost literal sense. Where you are seeps in somehow.
I think that if we really want to break it down, that non-black filmmakers have had many, many years and many, many opportunities to tell many, many stories about themselves, and black filmmakers have not had as many years, as many opportunities, as many films to explore the nuances of our reality.
Fiction does not spring into the world fully grown, like Athena. It is the process of writing and rewriting that makes a fiction original, if not profound.
If something comes along that is totally outside of horror, fine, but I find there's an immense amount of freedom within the genre.
Nonsense and beauty have close connections.
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