The Nuance of a Word by Susan Haley

THE NUANCE OF A WORD

By: Susan C. Haley

I’m a ponderer by nature. Other than Nature, my resource is more often than not, the written word. One thought, or ‘trigger’, invariably leads me into an analysis of all the possible nuances to an idea or question. The answers given that question, often form a whole new question. It is a rather harrowing way to be at times as it seems the mind never rests. Conversely, my innate curiosity opens up incredible new horizons in my thinking when I’m presented with information that triggers thought through carefully applied semantics. Nuance is a powerful phenomenon.

I just finished editing a manuscript which brought this concept to the forefront of my personal thinking experience, yet again. It isn’t necessary to divulge the subject of this work, more, it moved me to share the crucial need for writers to use thoughtful employment of this ‘nuance’ thing.

Some might say that an author gives or serves their purpose simply in the penning of words on paper. After all, they give of their ideas or their heart through their work. True, but are their readers really recipients of their efforts or battered by them? Are they invited to think about the ideas or told what to think? Or a combination of the two? Whether the work is a sharing of soul, creativity, or information, it will soon become crystal clear that in order to be read, one must mingle with others and, at the least, entice them to consider your ideas. This can succeed or fail simply by how the words are crafted . . . how the power of nuance is used, or abused.

Usually without intent, we as authors can come across as condescending to our readers merely by how we set a tone. It differs from face to face communication in that there is lack of voice inflection, body language, or facial expression. All these nuances of persuasion must be accomplished through the written word. If attempting to convey a philosophy, a theology, or even information, the writer must balance a high wire between declarative adamancy and an invitation to their readers to think. Rather then telling them how to think or what to think, we must invite them to consider our viewpoint.

I’ll use the most obvious example of Scriptural tenets. If you’re employing a specific doctrine or quote, share what it means to you, offer considerations, rather than abruptly stating, it means . . . Initiating sentences with ‘Now’, as in now I will tell you” or ‘Because I’, as in because I see it that way, it’s the right way, is condescending to your reader. It sets a tone of superiority that won’t help you garner a convert. It may even send them scurrying to places less rigid, places of free thought and choice. Rather than a tone of invitation, it becomes a tone of bossiness or lecture. In some extreme cases, it even employs fear.

If offering a philosophy, share experiences. Refrain from suggesting that all will experience exactly the same result. Again, coax your reader to think, or be moved, to be enlightened, or even entertained. Really, as writers, that is the ultimate we can hope for, I think. (See how that small addition of ‘I think’ softens a declarative statement while still planting the thought?)

To reiterate, nuance is a powerful thing. How you use words can possibly make or break the acceptance of your work. In nonfiction, avoid clichés, avoid slang, and avoid prefixes that have a connotation of absolute. Avoid repetition and redundancy that subtly turns into badgering the reader. Strive for a flow and expression of thought that will appeal to innate human response triggers. Avoid suffixes and closing statements that slam the doors of possibility.

Creative writing or fiction, obviously, is a bit more open. Here, we can use words more through mouths of characters, characters that maybe everyone won’t like. We can be more forceful through the errs of a fictitious villain, or the victories of a hero. But even in the realm of fiction, we might consider the power of nuance. Reading our work out loud so as to employ the power of sound can be helpful. We must be believable while at the same time leaving open, the door to imagination. Not an easy feat, but an achievable one through the power of nuance in a word. And, that is a fact.

I leave you with those thoughts and . . . “May you always have rainbows . . .”

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