Just as painting is art, and music is art, so writing is an art. There are certain principles that apply to all art, the knowledge of which can help you put, together a piece more deliberately. One way of looking at these principles, is described by Robin Williams (no, not that Robin Williams! This one is a woman) in The Non-Designer's Design Book. They are Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, and Contrast. This article will look at these four principles comparing their use in graphic arts (specifically car ads, since they are ubiquitous), and writing. | "There are certain principles that apply to all art..." |
Proximity | Proximity
Writing. Writers relate ideas with words. By outlining, a writer forms his thoughts into logical order, creating themes. In an article, sections are formed, and placed on the paper in such a way as to show they go together, as by spacing and use of different size, weight, and/or faces of type. In a story, characters form groups related by goals, both their own, and the writer's, as well as the story itself being grouped by chapters and/or sections. |
Alignment
Writing. Writers align with words. Words connect to other words around them to form sentences. Sentences connect to each other to form paragraphs. Paragraphs connect to form chapters of a story or sections of an article, and chapters or sections connect to form a whole, all related to each other. Authors present information in a logical manner that draws the reader along from beginning to end without getting him lost along the way by stray thoughts, or items thrown in haphazardly. As someone once said, writers blaze a trail for the reader to follow. Notice the logic of this article, with sections clearly marked. |
Alignment |
Repetition | Repetition
Writing. Repetition is done in writing in many ways. You can repeat words or phrase or themes. In an article, sections are done in the same way to provide a framework so the reader can easily follow a thought. In this article, for instance, each section is put together in the same way, with the principle, followed by its definition, then it applied to graphic arts, and to writing. In a story, characters may have certain habits they repeat. A series of similar obstacles may have to be overcome. Repetition is much used in genre fiction. Readers of romances or mysteries have certain expectations for the stories, which writers flout at their peril. |
Contrast
Writing. Contrast may be a difference of ideas between two characters or two sides of an issue. It could also be used to look at the same idea in different ways, as this article examines how principles of art apply to both graphic and written art. In a story, the hero is contrasted with others, both other "good guys", and the "bad guys". Contrast helps bring out the strengths and weaknesses of his character. Many stories explore a culture by putting a stranger into it who is not familiar with customs. Fantasy stories often provide contrast by having a "normal" world suddenly invaded by magic, or a person from a normal world thrown into a magical one. |
Contrast |
"Learn to use these artist's tools..." | Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, and Contrast. Learn to use these artists' tools to strengthen your writing, and to give your readers a more satisfactory experience. |