I continually discover new, exciting ideas in writing. This is because I was not formally trained as a writer. I had the usual college composition and creative writing courses, but I was never exposed to the real secrets; the secrets writers use constantly in their craft. Here are a few I’ve picked up.

Nominalization

What is it? Nominalization is the process of making abstract nouns from verbs and adjectives. Some examples:

verb -> nominalization

discover -> discovery

oppose -> opposition

believe -> belief

adjective -> nominalization

hopeless -> hopelessness

careless -> carelessness

different -> difference

Take a look at this pair of sentences-

The opposition found among many voters to coal-fueled power plants is based on a belief of the threat to the atmosphere.

Many voters oppose coal-fueled power plants because they believe these plants threaten the atmosphere.

The abstract nouns become verbs, subjects get pinned directly to their verbs, and clarity increases.

Exceptions

Nominalization isn’t always bad. Here are some exceptions:

• When it replaces ‘the fact that’. The fact that he decided quickly impressed us. Is worse than: His quick decision impressed us.
• When if refers to the subject of the previous sentence. This opposition must cease.
• When a concept as a concept is so familiar to readers that it seems concrete- Taxation without representation.

Clarity comes from the basics.

Subject, verb, object. If you don’t have these in your sentences, and visible, your writing is going to be less clear than it could be. Count out the seven or so words after your introductory clause (if there is one). Is there a subject and verb pair there? Readers need these.

Too often, we write as if our readers know as much about a subject as we do. When we read our material, it seems clear. It seems clear because we already know what we are trying to say and we fill in the gaps. But the gaps remain. And when they remain unfilled, readers get lost and confused.

Subject and verb. Character and action. These are the necessary elements that drive communication.

I am not advocating Dick and Jane prose. But pay attention. Add the flowery and the perfumed and the ‘man I need a breath, I’m gonna die before this sentence ends’ judiciously and with purpose.

Oh, and have fun too.

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