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Stepan Stepanovici Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Help me proofread a text
Hi!
Could you please help me proofread this synopsis:
What most of the interwar cultural journalists called "the young generation" took shape by the end of the 1920s, under the influence of the then-famous Professor X, and revolved around a set of key-concepts, such as authenticity, experience, adventure etc. Through its most popular manifestos, the generation asserted an apolitical creed and promised to confine its action to the fields of culture and spirituality. Among the writers that our young intellectuals looked up to, one could find such names as A. Gide, M. Proust, G. Papini, A. Huxley or J. Joyce. However, things took a dramatic turn in the mid '30s, when many leading members of the generation took up politics, mostly joining in or sympathizing with the extreme right parties. The essay follows the slip of the afore-mentioned key-concepts of the generation from the cutting edge of literary modernity to the stands of a die-hard nationalist ideology.
I'm interested in any improvement at all, if you find anything which sounds too complicated or awkward, please say!
Thanks so much!
Could you please help me proofread this synopsis:
What most of the interwar cultural journalists called "the young generation" took shape by the end of the 1920s, under the influence of the then-famous Professor X, and revolved around a set of key-concepts, such as authenticity, experience, adventure etc. Through its most popular manifestos, the generation asserted an apolitical creed and promised to confine its action to the fields of culture and spirituality. Among the writers that our young intellectuals looked up to, one could find such names as A. Gide, M. Proust, G. Papini, A. Huxley or J. Joyce. However, things took a dramatic turn in the mid '30s, when many leading members of the generation took up politics, mostly joining in or sympathizing with the extreme right parties. The essay follows the slip of the afore-mentioned key-concepts of the generation from the cutting edge of literary modernity to the stands of a die-hard nationalist ideology.
I'm interested in any improvement at all, if you find anything which sounds too complicated or awkward, please say!
Thanks so much!
Top answer
Here are my suggestions. New wording is in bold; deleted wording is crossed out. What most of the interwar cultural journalists called "the young generation" took shape by the end of the 1920s .
- Here are my suggestions.
- New wording is in bold; deleted wording is crossed out.
- What most of the interwar cultural journalists called "the young generation" took shape by the end of the 1920s .
- U nder the influence of the then-famous Professor X, their guiding ideology and revolved around a set of key concepts, such as authenticity, experience, adventure etc.
- In Through its most popular manifestos, th at generation asserted an apolitical creed and promised to confine its action to the fields of culture and spirituality.
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6 Answers
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Here are my suggestions. New wording is in bold; deleted wording is crossed out.
What most of the interwar cultural journalists called "the young generation" took shape by the end of the 1920s. Under the influence of the then-famous Professor X, their guiding ideologyand revolved around a set of key concepts, such as authenticity, experience, adventure
What most of the interwar cultural journalists called "the young generation" took shape by the end of the 1920s. Under the influence of the then-famous Professor X, their guiding ideology
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Thanks a lot, it really helped!
About the thesis, yes, it is true: these guys took a turn to the extreme right, not left.
About the change from "slip" to "shift" (in the last sentence): I also wanted to imply that there is not only a change, but a fall, in terms of ideology. So "slip" is not a good choice? Do I have any alternative then?
Thanks again
About the thesis, yes, it is true: these guys took a turn to the extreme right, not left.
About the change from "slip" to "shift" (in the last sentence): I also wanted to imply that there is not only a change, but a fall, in terms of ideology. So "slip" is not a good choice? Do I have any alternative then?
Thanks again
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Shift is a neutral term. The problem about terms indicating a decline is that this is not a change within the same category (literature). You are not talking about a change from high literature to low. Instead, this is more a change of focus, what might be seen as a broadening of interest, from literature to politics. However, if you want to indicate this was overall
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... I've been thinking an thinking about your latest post(s).
OK, literature & politics are 2 different fields, so you can't talk about " a fall" from one to the other.
Still, can you talk about it in terms of "sliding from the right track"? I.e.: using literary concepts out of their original context, with dangerous, uncontrolled consequences in the public sphere? (In this case:
OK, literature & politics are 2 different fields, so you can't talk about " a fall" from one to the other.
Still, can you talk about it in terms of "sliding from the right track"? I.e.: using literary concepts out of their original context, with dangerous, uncontrolled consequences in the public sphere? (In this case:
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I would still avoid "slide" (it is almost too metaphorical and informal).
Perhaps "conversion," "transformation," "mutation," "subversion." Etc.
Perhaps "conversion," "transformation," "mutation," "subversion." Etc.
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