Telegraphic Language and Microfiction. (Part I) | Theory lesson | SLC S21 W03

This is the first part of the Theory Lesson for Week 3 of our course. (See the second part by solperez) (Comming)

Welcome #Microwriters

What will we do this week?

• Objective: Use the essential words for the story.
• • Task 1. First condensation: Take the first story to 100 words. (See an example)
• • Task 2. "Of Humor and Love". Write a microfiction of less than 60 words, as if it were a telegram. (Research how to write telegrams in your languaje.)
• • Task 3. "Of Humor and Love". Condense poetic language into concise language in a story of 60 words.
• • Make comments with a critical stance, offering suggestions for improvement.

But first, let's put things into context:

Today we will focus on two key concepts:

Condensing a story
Telegraphic language = Concise language

These are the fundamental processes for creating microfiction. Let's develop them further.

Condensing a Story. --- Expand this topic

Imagine you're asked to write a microfiction based on a legend from your country in less than 150 words. (Many of you in this course have already done this.) Or imagine you're asked to write a story from the image of an ant in a maze. What you did, basically, can be called condensing a story.

When you CONDENSE the legend or all the thoughts and ideas that came to you when you saw the ant, you are synthesizing, concentrating that story. Reducing it to the number of words requested. As if you had put the story to cook on low heat, to obtain a sauce with a very concentrated flavor, eliminating the excess water.

Telegraphic Language. (Know more)

With this, we refer to your ability to communicate using the minimum number of words required to express the essential of the message. An example is the speech of a baby learning to speak. They don't use all the words that we use as adults.

The baby, by simply saying:

Baby- wants-milk

We understand that they are hungry and want to eat.

One way to learn to find the essentials of a message is by writing in telegraphic mode. Here is an example:

URGENT FROM: National Geographic Magazine TO: Dear Microwriter. WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT WE CANNOT PUBLISH YOUR MICROSTORY IN 150 WORDS. WE ASK YOU TO EDIT IT AND REDUCE IT TO 50-100 WORDS INCLUDING TITLE. SEND IT TO OUR OFFICES BEFORE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13. WE WILL PAY THE THREE POINTS AGREED UPON. WE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU AS A CONTRIBUTOR. WE AWAIT YOUR SUBMISSION. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.

What can we observe?

• Uses short sentences of 10-15 words.
• As far as possible, it does not use commas (,), but rather separates with periods (.)
• It does not dwell on long greetings and explanations, but rather goes straight to the point.
• The most important thing comes first.
• Saves words, (before each word had a price)

Some rules of telegraphic language applied to microfiction:

• Brevity: Be concise and direct.
• Prioritize the essentials: only the data or details really necessary for the story.
• Simple and clear language, avoid embellishments, just prose, for now do not use poetic language.
• Clarity and conciseness: Each phrase or sentence must have a precise meaning.
• Title: Use a short, forceful title that presents the tone or a preview of the story.
• Check spelling: Spelling errors could completely change the meaning of a story.

In summary

Writing microfiction goes hand in hand with concise, concrete and brief language. A language that expresses the essence of the story you want to tell. We can be inspired by the communication of babies when they are learning to speak and as well as by the directness of a telegram.

Access the second part of this class (comming)

Notes:

• Images created on canva.com

• Please complete the evaluation for Week 2. Link: Feedback from Week 2 We would appreciate your feedback on the first few weeks of the course.

• Access the post with the tasks of the week

Write in micro size 03