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Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

Yells Back Up

Let's say two characters are having a heated argument, and that one of them is 3 to 5 inches taller than the other. Does it make sense to say, at one point, that the shorter one "yells back up" at the taller? For example:

"No, he's not! You are!" she yells back up at him.

Or would that be superfluous, given he's not that much taller?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

I can't see five inches justifying that dialogue. Assuming this is some sort of video, or stage presentation, you'd just have to look and see if it works.

— Avangi

  • I can't see five inches justifying that dialogue.
  • Assuming this is some sort of video, or stage presentation, you'd just have to look and see if it works.
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4 Answers
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I can't see five inches justifying that dialogue.
Assuming this is some sort of video, or stage presentation, you'd just have to look and see if it works.
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AvangiI can't see five inches justifying that dialogue.Assuming this is some sort of video, or stage presentation, you'd just have to look and see if it works.
No, not at all. It takes place in a novella. In fact, the height of the taller is not specified at all, but the height of the shorter (five-two) is. I guess my question is, if the reader read that, wo
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It might depend to some extent on ethnicity. In some cultures, 5' 2" would be considered short. In others, it would not.

You'd probably need some kind of reference to their height disparity to be sure your line would work.
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You would have to have already made a point of their great difference in height, probably by saying that he yelled something down at her. The line is comical, you know.
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