I try to teach my students style, but always as a part of…
“I try to teach my students style, but always as a part of life, not as ornament. Style has to come out of communicating coherent thought, not in sticking little flowers on speeches. Style and substance and a sense of life are the things literature is composed of. One must use one's own personality in relationship to life and language, of course, and everyone has such a relationship. Some people find it, some don't find it, but it's there.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Style should arise naturally from clear thought and lived experience, not from decorative excess.
In simple terms: Style comes from genuine thought, not ornament.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate authentic voice.
Themes
literature
authenticity
communication
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- creative writing
Key Concepts
writing
voice
coherence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you let personal experience shape your writing?
- What habits distract from clear thought?
A Different Perspective
Style may be constrained by institutional expectations.