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.
I figured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for 'Soul Train.'
At one time, I was very angry. I even treated fashion like a kind of crusade: you were either with us or against us, that kind of feeling. Now I know we need ideas, not kicking down a door.
Sometimes I've called writing a disease. If so, I'm glad that it caught me.
The tea ceremony requires years of training and practice ... yet the whole of this art, as to its detail, signifies no more than the making and serving of a cup of tea. The supremely important matter is that the act be performed in the most perfect, most polite, most graceful, most charming manner possible.
Novels aren’t just happy escapes; they are slivers of people’s souls, nailed to the pages, dripping ink from veins of wood pulp. Reading the right one at the right time can make all the difference.
A work of art is one through which the consciousness of the artist is able to give its emotions to anyone who is prepared to receive them.
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