On writing -

Armenian Priest Komitas describing the differences between Western and Eastern Armenian folk music:

''Western melodies are broad and complex, rich and serious, bright and brisk, Eastern melodies are compact and simple, unsophisticated and light, prosaic and peaceful'.

Source: Critical Approaches to Armenian Identity in the 21st Century: Vulnerability, Resilience & Transformation, p.37.

On how balance can bring clarity

Six adjectives in groups of two are used to describe Western and Eastern Armenian folk music respectively. The use of two contrasting adjectives creates a rhythmic juxtaposition that brings balance to both the ideas and structure of the sentence. It also allows for comparison of two related things (in this case Western and Eastern Armenian folk music) to take place in a single sentence without crowding or unnecessarily lengthening the phrase. In particular, the use of alliteration of 'bright and brisk' in the middle of the sentence contributes to flow.

Interestingly, this approach also brings an objectivity to the writing in that Komitas doesn't seem to fall on a particular side of the folk music fence.

Something to practice

If you see a similar use of two adjectives balancing each other in something you read this week, stop and consider the impact it's having on the writing. Is it easier to read? Why or why not?

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