Thursday, March 25, 2010
@#%$! Blog
I am sure all of you have read books that have had at least a few choice cuss words in them. So, that brings up the question, "When is it acceptable to swear or use vulgar language in writing?" Would the crime novel you are reading be as effective if the criminal said, "No thank you, officer, I would not like to go to jail" instead of dropping a few f-bombs along with some other colorful insults? Does it depend on the targeted audience? Where do you draw the line? Is there a line? Explain under what circumstances you think swearing is necessary in writing.
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I think for more adult books, it's fine. People obviously swear in real life, and if they do in the book at the more intense times, it makes adds to the feeling to it that helps the reader feel more inside the story. Now if they're just swearing constantly through-out the whole thing, that's a little ridiculous...
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, it is okay to use swear words in a story as long as they're in context. A children's picture book would not be the correct place to use them but, like in the example, a crime book would. In writing, swearing is necessary only if that's how the scene would take place in real life.
ReplyDeleteI feel like swear words are acceptable depending on the type of genre. If it is a kid's book there should obviously be no swearing, but if it is a book an adult would read then I believe there are no boundaries to swear words.
ReplyDeleteit is always acceptable to swear unless little kids are reading the book. And when your reading a book and someone gets mad and just doesn't swear you cant tell if their actually mad or not.
ReplyDeleteEternals by Cynthia Leitich Smith
ReplyDeleteI believe swearing is acceptable if it suits the character or if they are small swear words such as "damn." If a character is more violent they are more than likely to swear more and the language comes across as the character being more violent. If a character uses smaller swear words they are either well mannered or older and more mature unless age tells differently.
Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
ReplyDeleteSwearing is acceptable to me if it is in war books and other books that have a lot of violence in them. Where I draw the line is when the F-bomb is dropped every 2 seconds because it starts to get very annoying and seems to give the book a less intelligent vibe.
The Sacred Acre By Mark Tabb
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the author when swearing is necessary. Some authors may think that inserting a few cuss words here and there will keep the reader interested. While other authors opinion may be that swearing should be restricted at all times because it may give them a bad impression like, the audience might think they are a bad person only because there are some swearing in the text.
The House of the Scorpion by: Nancy Farmer
ReplyDeleteThere is a limit when to swear and not to. I believe it's okay to swear as long as its getting the point across in the most direct way. However, to many cuss words can make a book sound to unfiltered. I would draw the line at maximum one swear word in a sentence.
Anne Frank and the Children of the Holocaust by Carol Lee
ReplyDeleteI think it is okay to use vulgar language when writing if it is appropriate for the character. Vulgar language shows emotions and gives a better effect in some circumstances. I think it depends on the targeted audience as well. Older adult audiences are appropriate for swearing and vulgar language. Younger kids may not understand or are not mature enough.
Inheritance By Christopher Paolini
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is acceptable sometimes in writing. When an author writes a book, they want it to appear as similar to reality as possible, language is important in both. That is how we communicate. No swearing for some people is like making the French speak Spanish. Swearing is a way to express oneself. I don’t think it should be used every other word, but I don’t believe it shouldn’t be used at all either. It is used to create effect like “really or very.” Swearing shouldn’t be found in preteen to toddler book though. The more mature audience must be targeted.
Shadow Kiss
ReplyDeleteBy: Rachelle Mead
Ashley Gentz
I think that books with a little bit of swearing them is ok. But it can cross the line, meaning it can get way out of hand. Swear could be necessary for books if your villain is somewhat of a swearer. The hero of the story sometimes swears to but if you don't think about it I don't think it should bother at all how much they swear, depending on age and if the person reading it can handle the text.
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
ReplyDeleteI don't really think swearing is a necessary thing in many cases, but I suppose if I had to pick one it would be a bad person in a book. Someone who's had a rough life and wasn't brought up to well, therefore making it hard for them to know right from wrong. I would draw the line on people who swear just because they think its funny, because its not and you shouldn't feel the nee to swear just to fit in, even in writing it doesn't work, writers should pick certain spots that it can be defined in, otherwise just leave it out.
Ghost In The Machine by: Patrick Carman
ReplyDeleteWhen its like a huge argument i believe its ok to use that type of language. To a lot of people its sort of a turnoff but sometimes its needed to get the point across. I also think it depends on what type of writing it comes from.
I think it is only acceptable to swear or use vulgar language in writing if its used to make an impact or goes along with the character. It also shouldn’t be used in every sentence or it will take away from the writing and be distracting. It wouldn’t be as effective if a a criminal didn’t get a few harsh words in. It does depend on the targeted audience because if it’s an adult or even teen book swearing is alright, however if a book is meant for younger kids they wouldn’t be mature enough to handle it. I personally would say there is a line and I would say that if there is a swear word every couple lines that would be too much. I think swearing is only necessary when it’s a bad person in a heated situation. Other then that there are other words that can replace swear words that have close to the same effect.
ReplyDeleteSkin Trade
ReplyDeleteLaurell K. Hamilton
In Skin Trade, Anita is after a serial killer and dealing with a lot of metaphysical crap so having a good cussing match with fellow experts and the police officers helps her blow off steam. I think its necessary that a character in such a tense situation be able to swear otherwise they are not quite so life-plus it tends to add humor to a crappy situation. So long as the book is targeted toward a more mature audience that swearing is acceptable.
I am reading Liar Liar.
ReplyDeleteSwearing is needed in writing to get peoples point across or to see how the character talks. I think that there is no stopping point unless you you swear more the twice in a sentence. Because everyone has heard all of the words and by this time and day people should be mature enough to handle it, but you also have to write for your audience. If you are writing a book for little kids you might not want to swear.
I am reading The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells.
ReplyDeleteI think it's acceptable to use swear words in writing if it helps to give the background of the story. If it helps the reader understand the situation better, it makes sense to use those kinds of words. Otherwise, if a writer wants to use them just to use them, there is no point to having them.
If a writer is trying to make the story as life-like as possible, it may be necessary to use colorful words. In real life, a criminal wouldn't say, "No thank you, officer, I would not like to go to jail"; they would be swearing like crazy. A reader wouldn't get the full affect if the criminal wasn't using words like that. The line is whether the swearing is crucial to the story or not. Using it to help explain the situation is fine, but too much of it for no reason doesn't help the story. I would say if an author was going to put swearing in a book, that book's audience would have to be teens and adults. No parent would let their young child read a book with swear words in it.
The Batboy by Mike Lupica
ReplyDeleteSwearing in writing is necessary when your trying to be emotional or its a high point is a novel when something really dramatic is happening. There is a line with cussing. When someone cusses every other paragraph or page it takes some enjoyment out of the reading because it becomes too much. I wouldn't say swearing is targeted by type of audience but the type of book and certain situations.
I'm reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. It is acceptable to swear only when adding to the character's personality. No, I don’t think it would be as effective to portray the criminal without swearing. Although, I think there are ways around it and should only be used if absolutely necessary to get a point across. It definitely depends on the maturity of the audience. It would be inappropriate to swear in a children's picture book. There is definitely a line. Swearing should only be used to add to the book, but avoided at all means necessary. Swearing in writing is important if the writer is trying to add to a character's personality or clarify what is happening. Those are the only times when swearing is necessary in writing. Swearing just used for the fun of it is irresponsible. The writer should be able to state why he or she used a swear word and how it adds to the piece. Swearing can embellish writing if the author uses in correctly and with justification. The line is drawn between using a swear word for fun and using a swear word to improve the writing piece.
ReplyDeleteA Season on the Mat- Nolan Zavoral
ReplyDeleteI have not read many books that use a lot of colorful words, but some books i have read use small words that are somewhat vulgar. If a criminal in a book said "No thank you officer" i would not be very interested in the book. In real life most likely a criminal would use colorful language, so i think it would be appropriate to use the language that would be used in real life, to make the book more appealing. In some books though, the inappropriate language is used an unnecessary times and should not be put in the book at all.
national whitetail by Bodo Peter
ReplyDeleteIn some of the part it would be in writing. swearing in write will give it more of some kind of meaning to it. In my book yes because if you miss a big buck and it is your last day hunting you would be mad enough to swear a few times.
The Last Thing I Remember: Andrew Klavan
ReplyDeleteSwearing is only appropriate in writing a story. The storys that the swearing is used in should be intended for teen on up. The swear words should come in dialogue, and not in the actual narration.
If the audience is younger there is no need to swear but, if the audience is older, or at least semi mature then a few choice words are okay. I think that swearing could be necessary to make a point or to express anger or sarcasm, but books don't need a lot of swear words to be good.
ReplyDeleteR.L. Stine- Night of the Living Dummy 3
ReplyDeleteBooks that are trying to be based on teens in large cities would have swear words in them because that's how most of them speak. If it was trying to be realistic then it would have to mention some swear words.
Burned
ReplyDeleteEllen Hopkins
I would say it is acceptable to swear if the audience is aimed for adults or some novels for teenagers. The line should be drawn after one or two vulgar words and not go too far with it. I think swearing in necessary in writing when something drastic has happened or it's a high point with a angry character trying to get the point across. After the point gets across, the swearing isn't necessary anymore.
Real Heroes by Marilyn Kaye
ReplyDeleteI think it is okay to use a few choice words in a writing if it gets the point across and shows how that character is. If an author uses a swear word it usually is trying to show how the character acts and how he talks. In my opinion I would rather have an author swear rather then have a criminal talk like he is an English teacher, it just ruins the mental picture. It helps you visualize the scene if you can tell how the character is acting by his words.
Heaven is for Real By: Todd Burpo
ReplyDeletePutting Cuss words in books depends on what kind of audience it is targeted to. If the audience is to little kids cuss words are not acceptable. If the audience is high school on up cuss words are alright because they put more meaning into what is said and whats going on in the book. Its not like we haven't heard swear words before in real life so its not that big of a deal if they are scattered through out the book. It makes the story more interesting. Although if swear words are used to much it gets annoying.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
ReplyDeleteOf course swear words often add to the atmosphere, but I don't think it is necessary unless a book is very adult or the situation definitely calls for swearing. Instead, other words should be used in place of swear words. I don't know anything about British terms, but in Harry Potter, Malfoy is often called a git which gets the point across. Also the reaction to being called a mudblood is the same as though a swear word was used. With these extreme reactions, the readers get the same affect as swearing without actual swearing.
Revelation by Drew Karpyshyn
ReplyDeleteYou cant be dropping F-bombs in a children's book, but its acceptable in books meant for adults and young adults. If it would be used by the character and it fits the context it is fine to cuss in stories. if the character is like Mr. Rogers it probably wouldn't work to have them cuss. If the character isn't like Mr. Rogers and there is a reasonable situation, like getting shot at or waiting at the DMV, it would make sense to have the character cuss.
Promise Me
ReplyDeleteBy: Harlan Coben
Swearing can be necessary to writing in some circumstances. If your trying to give a more dramatic effect or making something stand out it is acceptable to use. Although audience does matter, children's books probably should have swear words. I say the line should be drawn in genre. If it is an intense book swearing will bring an effect to make the book better, but to use it frequently is not necessary.
Countdown by Deborah Wiles
ReplyDeleteI prefer to read books with limited swearing. I think that if the author is a good enough writer, they should be able to get the main point across using a more intelligent selection of words, rather than swearing. Although, it really does come down to the type of book and characters. Swearing will establish the character and what kind of person they are. Certain genres, like mysteries or crime novels, may require more swearing because of the setting and what is happening in the story, compared to a fantasy which may require none. I think that a book can become tasteless when the author uses too much swearing. It's okay if there is only a few here and there, but if every sentence has a swear word, then it seems like the author has run out of words to use.
The Lincoln Lawyer By Michael Connelly
ReplyDeleteI feel the only times were dit is fair or appropriate to swear in reading is if they try to keep the writing original to what its about. Lets say the story is about the world war two, that would be appropriate to swear if your getting shot at. I haven't seen one war movie where some guy isn't swearing. So if you want the story more realistic and interesting to your adult audience it's ok. Where swear in literature should end or never end up in is children storys. Which usual are fictional so you not taking anything out of context.
It would probably be appropriate to swear in book that are targeted for teens and up, but any younger audience that that would not be acceptable. Some books need to have a few cuss words in them, but not just to be there. All words need to have a purpose in a book, including swear words. If there was a conversation that was intense between two people, then a few words are needed.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaker
ReplyDeleteJulie Garwood
I think there is a fine line when describing "the right" to swear in a book. I think it depends on the background of the character, the storyline/purpose of the language, and the audience. If the character is a thug/criminal, throwing in a few swear words would get the point across more quickly. I think it also depends on the purpose of using the word. If its just to make the writer sound more intense, not actually adding to the story, then I don't think it's needed. Also i think it depends on the audience. I don't think it's appropriate to have Dr. Suess-like characters swearing to one another. Although it would not be appropriate with younger readers, I think once at a high school level, readers can deal with it.
Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
ReplyDeleteI think swearing is necessary in writing, if it's needed, because it gives the writing personality. If someone is writing dialogue that should contain swear words, and they don't incorporate any in, it doesn't seem as real. There is a line on how much swearing is put in writing, though. Readers don't want to read too much of it. It also depends on the audience; some people enjoy reading things with swearing, and others don't.
Swearing is necessary for different reasons such as if a person is yelling at someone or something. There should only be Swear words in books that are intended to be read by adults. Swearing is not always necessary in a book because it may offend some audiences.
ReplyDeleteExtras by Scott Westerfeld
ReplyDeleteI think swearing is okay when it is used in books to get a points across. Swearing emphasizes the emotions the person is trying to portray even though it is "naughty." I've read quiet a few books with these "colorful words" and I think if you're mature enough to understand those books, you can probably handle the content.
The Pact By: Jodi Piccoult
ReplyDeleteIt is acceptable to use foul language in a book to show how angry the person really is. In order to understand the true feelings of the character cuss words could be used. In order to make the book come to life, a person wouldn't use polite language when being informed of being taken to jail. Swear words should only be mentioned in adult books, not in children books. I think swearing could be used in a situation where the character is really furious and the only way for the audience to understand is by using foul language. Otherwise I think it should be avoided.
The Maze
ReplyDeleteWill Hobbs
Books about certain subjects I feel are entitled to swear. Like you said if in a book about crime people aren't going to say, "Oh officer I hope this doesn't hurt your feelings but I really don't like you" would it be as interesting as if somebody swore, probably not. It does depend on if the book is intended to be read by children or adults. If Winnie the Pooh told tigger to, well you know, parents would be upset. Where as if the book was meant for adults to read they probably wouldn't care. There is a line though, if you talk like some people I know and use profanity every other word people will not read your book. Swearing is in some cases needed in books but nowadays is usually withheld.
I think that swearing is necessary when the character is someone who would have sworn in the situation. Books should be as real as possible, because that is what makes them good. If the character is the type of person who would swear then they should swear in the book. If someone reading a book doesn't like that there is swearing then they should just not read it.
ReplyDeleteThat Summer
ReplyDeleteBy: Sarah Dessen
I think it is acceptable to use swear words when someone is trying to express a large amount of anger. I don’t think a crime novel would be as effective if it was more polite than rude because it is harder to show someone’s feelings the proper way. I think teen books and above would be acceptable to use any kind of language, there is a line. I believe using swear words when they aren’t completely necessary is the line. If you can substitute a different word for a swear word and still get your point across I’d say that’s the line.
The Sacred Acre by Mark Tabb
ReplyDeleteI would say if there is a spot where swearing would get the point across better, well then use it. If there were swear words in a book that say maybe a 3rd grader is reading.... Probably not okay. If there in books that are targeted at older kids or adults, no problem I guess. As far as drawing the line, enough is enough, don't take it overboard. If swearing gets the point across and isn't just randomly thrown in it is okay.
Walk Two Moons
ReplyDeleteBy: Sharon Creech
The only time it would be acceptable to swear in your writing is when someone is quoting another person foul language. Then it would be the right time to put it in your writing.
Safe Haven by: Nicholas Sparks
ReplyDeleteI think it is acceptable in books that are more for adults. Books should be realistic and people swear everyday in real life. I also think the type of book or the personality of the character would determine if swearing should be used. Using swear words throughout a book is okay as long as they aren't used to many times. If someone reading a book doesn't like the swearing then they shouldn't read the book.
A Dog's Purpose
ReplyDeleteby: Bruce Cameron
I don't think swearing in books is a good thing in general. At times, I can see where it would add to a story, but there's always a way to say what you want without dropping the f-bomb. I draw the line at once or twice in an entire book, otherwise it gets to be too much to handle.
Eldest by Christopher Paolini. I think that swearing has it's rightful place in books, as long as it emphasizes what the person is saying and the book is intended for a mature audience. I think that the line for using swear words would be only using them in the spots where they enhance the meaning of what a character is saying. If they are overused, it will take away from the meaning and could cause the readers to get lost.
ReplyDeleteThe Sacred Acre By Mark Tabb
ReplyDeleteI think that swearing in books for adults it fine. I think it adds more to the story and it express's how people feel better. I think it makes the book seem very real and that what makes books so good! And if the reader doesn't like it then they dont have to read it.
Maybe its ok to swear in writing if you are re-saying what the other person was saying in a biography. It wouldn't be as interesting because we know that its not like people to be polite when they are saying they dont want to go to jail. You would think that they would be very mean about it because there the criminal. Some of the audience might not like the swearing in books but maybe they could re-phrase it to something they would like to here better. Its probably not necessary at all but a lot of people will do it when they get mad. Sometimes it comes out by accident and sometimes it comes out on purpose.
ReplyDeletehuckleberry finn
ReplyDeleteBy.Mark Twain
The only time that it should be acceptable is when you have to have it in a sentence, Otherwise there is really no point with the aggressive words in a book. If you do have it in a sentence it should have a definite meaning on the sentence that it is in. This is what I think of the aggressivs words used in books.