![]() ![]() (They were originally called ‘Tom Swiftlies,’ from the following example: “‘We must hurry,’ said Tom Swiftly.”) Tom Swifties are yet another example of a grammatical no-no that nonetheless can be used for good, with humor and fun. Rooting around on the Internet after AWP, inspired by all the great writers I’d heard and met, I came across a link on Christine Sneed’s Web site that led to her collection of Tom Swifties, phrases in which quoted sentences are linked by a pun to their attributions. A couple of weeks ago, I gave my undergraduate students a strict talking-to about comma. Cormac McCarthy’s run-on sentences have become so iconic they’re almost a meme. I have colleagues who use comma splices constantly–and yes, beautifully–to channel fascinating, obsessive voices. I’d caused an avalanche of determined questions: “What if your character talks in run-on sentences?” “I think comma splices are beautiful.” “What if it’s your style to write in run-ons?” Of course, I gave the old stodgy answer, “You have to know the rules in order to break them.” But somehow that didn’t resolve the problem. In a true Tom Swifty, it is an adverb (word specifying the mode of action of the verb) that provides the pun, as in examples (1) to (4). This is somewhat experimental in the practice of writing the puns successfully so hopefully they don't appear too. ![]() The play on words discussed here arose as a pastiche of this, coming to be known by the term Tom Swifty. This is my attempt at writing a story using 'Tom Swifties.' I have very loosely based it on the series of books by Victor Appleton II but I have called my character Tom Swiftly to differentiate from the original Tom Swift character. A collaboration to the east with Twin Cities transplant and Brooklyn MC Tom Swifty. But my conversation with my students made me second-guess myself. Looking for the ideal Tom Swifty Gifts Come check out our giant selection of T-Shirts, Mugs, Tote Bags, Stickers and More. Tom Swift rarely passed a remark without a qualifying adverb as 'Tom added eagerly' or 'Tom said jokingly'. A collaboration with Budapest-based producer Kovacs the Hun and Guante. Wellerisms, named for Charles Dickens's character. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a grammar grandma. Tom Swifty might be considered the 20th-century development of the form of folklore called wellerism. Posts Tagged: Tom Swifty Tom Swifties and Rule-Bending ProseĪ couple of weeks ago, I gave my undergraduate students a strict talking-to about comma splices and run-on sentences. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |