The Disappearance and Revival of the Semicolon in Fictional Works: Understanding Its Place in Modern Writing

Have you ever found yourself questioning the decline of the semicolon in modern fictional works? It’s surprising to think that this cherished punctuation mark has fallen out of favor. Love it or hate it, the semicolon serves a unique purpose in written English, making texts more expressive and nuanced.

Slapdash Punctuation: A Growing Trend

The trend toward slapdash punctuation has become almost ubiquitous. When drafting a piece, there often comes a moment where a comma just won’t suffice, a colon feels too heavy, and a new sentence might break the flow. This is precisely when the semicolon enters the scene—a solution meticulously crafted over centuries by our language’s greatest masters.

Despite its importance, the origins of the semicolon remain somewhat obscure. Who created it and when? The specifics are less relevant than its functionality and timing in writing. The semicolon allows for a graceful connection between two related independent clauses, serving as a bridge without the finality of a period.

The Influence of Writing Advice

The current trend of minimizing dialogue and avoiding complex structures is rooted in the advice of authors like Strunk and White. This minimalist approach, further fueled by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, has seen an increasing prevalence in modern writing. Today, everything seems short and conversational, leaving readers hungry for more nuanced and expressive prose.

Kip Wheeler’s response cuts to the heart of the matter. His message encourages writers to ignore overly authoritative and ephemeral writing advice. While it’s true that excess adverbs can clutter a text, the blanket directive to use computer-generated lists as a cudgel to eliminate all adverbs is misplaced. Modern editors would struggle to publish many of the literary masterpieces of the past, emphasizing the fickle nature of contemporary writing trends.

The Role of Hemingway and Vonnegut

Writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Ernest Hemingway expressed a half-serious disdain for semicolons, often as a matter of style or as a playful rebellion against the rigid structures of traditional writing. Some emerging writers, particularly those from newspaper backgrounds, might adhere to a style guide that discourages semicolon use, favoring simpler, shorter sentences instead. However, this trend is more about simplicity and brevity rather than a widespread disdain for the semicolon.

Looking at reputable and widely-read authors, semicolons are not just tolerated but embraced. The works of many celebrated authors, from Jane Austen to George Orwell, frequently incorporate the semicolon to enhance the flow and clarity of the text. More often, beginning writers may avoid the semicolon out of fear or lack of understanding, rather than any genuine disregard for the mark.

Conclusion

You don’t need to take the disdain for semicolons seriously. While some may express a preference for a more casual writing style, the semicolon remains a powerful tool in the writer’s arsenal. Its proper use can significantly enrich a piece of writing, providing a more nuanced and engaging read. So, don't shy away from the semicolon just yet; it has a place in modern fiction, and its value is far from lost.