Category Archives: Uncategorized

“I’ve worked for newspapers that have unwisely cut back on sub-editing,” writes Fraser Nelson, the editor of The Spectator, in a tribute to what the English call a sub-editor, in particular his magazine’s own sub-editor, Peter Robins. The sub-editor is the … Continue reading →

A fourth item in the string beginning with Lapidary, Obscure, and Unusual, provided by my friend Judy Warner (no, not that Judith Warner): An article in the “Bonds” section of the Wall Street Journal titled Big Words Are Fading, But Many People Still … Continue reading →

Here’s something from an interview with Tom Wolfe from the January/February American Spectator, which will be of more interest to those of you interested in reporting. The headings are mine. HOW TO FRAME A STORY I started writing the same sort … Continue reading →

In his response to some thoughts on academic writing I’d sent him, my friend and former colleague at Touchstone Steven Hutchens added a note about how he writes. Your suggestion about writing out in one sentence what you want to say is … Continue reading →

A second item continuing the discussion in Lapidary and Obscure. Another friend, Robert Young, Donne scholar and editor of Modern Age, responded to my comments on Buckley’s use of obscure words. He said: I am probably a bit more indulgent with unusual … Continue reading →

A follow-up to Lapidary But Not Eristic, But Still Obscure, offering observations from my friend Matthew Boudway, an editor at Commonweal, and my responses. Matt wrote: Thanks for this. I may not be a typical reader, but two or three unfamiliar … Continue reading →

An old article of William F. Buckley’s I found while looking for something else (a title for this website, as it  happens): I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words, published in The New York Times Book Review … Continue reading →

A few quotes of use to the writer from A. G. Sertillanges’ The Intellectual Life. Sertillanges was a French Dominican, and therefore a Thomist, and clearly a wise man to boot. Though aimed mainly at philosophy and theology students, and though … Continue reading →