These vices have been named tautology, dryness, and "fine writing."
Without doubt the simplest narration is the hardest kind of composition
to write, chiefly because we do not realize how hard it is. The first
necessity for a student is to realize the enormous requirements for a
perfect mastery of style. The difficulties will not appear to the one
who tries original composition by way of practice, since there is no way
of "checking up" his work. He may (or may not) be aware that what he
is doing does not produce the effect that the writing of a master
produces; but if he does realize it, he will certainly fail to discover
wherein his own weakness consists.
The only effective way of making the discovery is that described by
Franklin, and there is no masterpiece of literature better to practise
upon than Ruskin's "The King of the Golden River." Unlike much
beautiful and powerful writing, it is so simple that a child can
understand it. Complete comprehension of the meaning is absolutely
necessary before any skill in expressing that meaning can be looked for,
and an attempt to imitate that which is not perfectly clear will not
give skill.
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