Editing 483: Fiction Rule of Thumb
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | [[Randall]] uses a graph that purports that the more words an author makes up, the less likely | + | [[Randall]] uses a graph that purports that the more words an author makes up, the less likely his book is any good. To demonstrate this, he provides an example where a hypothetical author uses three made up words, "Fra'as", "Farmlings", and "Krytoses". The latter of these words are is described very unprofessionally as being "like swords but ''awesomer''" (ironic, given that "awesomer" is itself a made-up word). |
− | The title text declares that the average author is allowed five invented words per book before this rule is invoked against them, but mentions that {{w|J.R.R. Tolkien}} and {{w|Lewis | + | The title text declares that the average author is allowed five invented words per book before this rule is invoked against them, but mentions that {{w|J.R.R. Tolkien}} and {{w|Lewis Carrol}} are exceptions, as they are both very famous, well-respected writers {{w|Languages constructed by J. R. R. Tolkien|who made words up}} {{w|Jabberwocky|all the time}}. |
− | Randall also makes a dig at | + | Randall also makes a dig at {{w|Anathem}}, a speculative fiction novel by Neal Stephenson about a monastic order on another planet that studies science, mathematics, and philosophy. The book is noteworthy for having a very large number of made-up or repurposed words. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:[Y-Axis: Probability book is good.] | :[Y-Axis: Probability book is good.] | ||
:[X-Axis: Number of words made up by author.] | :[X-Axis: Number of words made up by author.] | ||
− | :[The curve becomes less steep as the number of words | + | :[The curve becomes less steep as the number of words increase.] |
:"The Elders, or ''Fra'as,'' guarded the ''farmlings'' (children) with their ''krytoses,'' which are like swords but ''awesomer''..." | :"The Elders, or ''Fra'as,'' guarded the ''farmlings'' (children) with their ''krytoses,'' which are like swords but ''awesomer''..." | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Charts]] |
[[Category:Language]] | [[Category:Language]] | ||
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