on using parentheses (i have so much more to say)
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You've probably picked up by now on my writing style- particularly my frequent use of parentheses and dashes. You only have to look at past post titles to see the pattern- it's become such a part of my writing voice that it even shows up in school essays, where I have to use a more formal tone.
Why am I such a fan of parentheses? The closest thing I can find to a reason is an example- the word 'like' became a filler word (yes, popularised by teenage girls) with multiple purposes, but most importantly to me as a mitigating word, or used to lessen the impact of a statement. Saying "I'm like, so angry right now" versus "I'm so angry right now"- I definitely prefer the former. Using parentheses, for me, is a way to lessen the impact of a statement, making my writing less formal.
Of course, there are other reasons. I like the visual look of parentheses- they break up a paragraph of otherwise solid words, they give the feeling of a secret being told, or an aside. Parentheses also allow me to add in more information to an otherwise complete sentence, finishing my thoughts when they don't make grammatical sense in the sentence. Parentheses make my writing feel more like a conversation- they add tone and nuance to the text.
For me, parentheses in writing have become like saying 'like' in speaking. It has slipped into my vocabulary until it has become a part of my style, and developing a unique writing style is definitely something I want to work on.
Until next time (and see you soon),
xoxo cec