Giving Quote by Rachel Kushner
“There is no single formula for good sentence. An invisible integument that gives the sentence wholeness and musicality, sometimes. But other times, the formula is almost purely one of context. And yet other times, of sheer precision of meaning. This is a good sentence: "Just as he was settling into the warm mud of alcoholic gloom, Shrike caught his arm." "Warm mud of alcoholic gloom" is exact and right and accurate.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of the Sentence, 2015
Good sentences lack a single formula; they may rely on wholeness, musicality, context, or precise meaning, as illustrated by a vivid, atmospheric example.
In simple terms: Sentences succeed through varied elements, not a fixed rule.
Key Takeaway
Focus on context and precision when writing.
Themes
writing
style
precision
musicality
context
Mood
analytical
inspired
Type
educational
literary
When to use this quote
- editing prose
- teaching writing
- literary criticism
- author workshops
Key Concepts
syntactic analysis
creative expression
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a sentence feel complete?
- Which element matters most to you?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on formula can stifle creativity.
![“[The] defining characteristics of good prose [are]: a preference for short sentences diversified by an occasionally very long one; a tone that is relaxed and almost colloquial; a large vocabulary that enjoys exploiting the different etymological and social levels of words; and an insistence on…” quote by F.W. Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7af/f-w-bateson-237073_language_the-defining-characteristics-of-good-pro_2171085.jpg)
