JOURNAL ARTICLE

In the Matter of the Commas: For the true literary stylist, this seemingly humble punctuation mark is a matter of precision, logic, individuality, and music.

  • Published In: American Scholar, 2025, v. 94, n. 2. P. 66 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: ZIPF, MATTHEW 3 of 3

Abstract

The article from the American Scholar delves into the significance of commas in literary style, focusing on the works of Joan Didion and Renata Adler. Didion believed that style reflects character, while Adler's abundant use of commas drew both admiration and criticism. The text explores the historical context of the phrase "style is character," tracing it back to French naturalist Buffon. The article also discusses the personal and stylistic differences between Didion and Adler, highlighting their unique approaches to writing. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:American Scholar. 2025/04, Vol. 94, Issue 2, p66
  • Document Type:Interview
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0003-0937
  • Accession Number:183067798
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