I'm very anxious not to fall into archaism or 'literary'…
“I'm very anxious not to fall into archaism or 'literary' diction. I want my vocabulary to have a very large range, but the words must be alive.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The writer seeks a vibrant, living vocabulary, avoiding outdated or overly formal language, while maintaining broad expressive range.
In simple terms: Use fresh, lively words, not stale or overly formal ones.
Cultivate a dynamic, varied diction.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- editing
- public speaking
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you keep language fresh without losing clarity?
- What techniques help expand expressive range?
Risk of sounding pretentious if not balanced.