Why History Textbooks Put You to Sleep
Ever wonder why history textbooks put you to sleep?
You might think that formal v. informal text vary based on the level of vocabulary and complexity of sentence structure. Some of that may come into play, but it more than that.
Rhythm patterns in formal texts are the key. Rhythm moves at a slower pace, with stresses widely spaced. The pitch changes are less abrupt and not as wide.
If we think about the continuum of how frequently a text has stressed syllables, on one end is poetry, which compresses stresses so that every second or third syllable is stressed. On the other end of the continuum is very formal texts, with stresses so widely spaced that–well, it puts you to sleep.
Contemporary fiction falls more toward the poetry end of the spectrum, with more variety and stresses closer spaced. High fantasy, historical and some literary fiction would move toward the middle of the spectrum.
Where does your current WIP fall?
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What an interesting question! Well, Darcy, my WIP is a fantasy novel. Not quite towards the middle of the spectrum. Not as formal as some fantasy works, although my work does have a historical element to it. Thus, the text is not so far on the commercial end of the spectrum. I tried to keep it accessible for today’s market.
When I started reading your post I had a flash to Ben Stein as the teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
with his monotone voice =)
Hhmm – I wonder if there’s a difference in stresses if the fiction is told in first POV vs 3rd -
My YA is is more toward the poetry end than my MG I currently picked up to work on finishing the first draft.