Take a moment to watch this brilliant animation “Typography” by Ronnie Bruce of a poem by Taylor Mali.
Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.
Are you guilty of the “relentless interrogative?” Are your children?
I know that I am going to make a more concerted effort to have my declarative sentences actually declare and to speak with certainty and confidence in my opinions. I don’t want to be a part of a downward slide into inarticulation. Speak with authority so that your children can learn to speak with authority. Let’s model conviction for the next generation.
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I shared it not too long ago on my facebook profile and plan to repost at least every six months. Does it sound like I’m on something of a mission? I am!
I have my BA in English and my MA in professional writing, so I completely support you in your mission to help Americans reclaim the declarative sentence!
I will try. I will. You are right that it’s a worthwhile thing.
But it’s going to be awfully hard. I live in the Valley of the iconic Valley Girl, and we simply *are* inviting the world to join us on the bandwagon of our uncertainty.
I think this, like, rocks and stuff?
Actually, I was thinking as I was listening to this, that I do the same thing in my regular life. Probably in some sort of attempt to be as inoffensive as possible. I am always saying things like “…well, you might want to think about considering…” which I thought was gentle, but maybe it’s just mealy-mouthed.
“bandwagon of uncertainty” is BRILLIANT.
Speaking with authority invites dogmatic people to debate you with facts they learned on Fox News. I’m too tired to deal with idiots who think I’m assaulting them with facts I learned on MSNBC. The world is too combative for me right now.