Style Manuals Be Damned

I just reread ‘The Good War’ (1984) by Studs Terkel, a longtime Chicago newspaper columnist. Besides being essential reading for those without appreciation of the significance of WW II on America, it is an object lesson in substance over style. It is called the ‘good war’ because it was a war that we absolutely had to fight and win to avoid being enslaved…and we did. It consists entirely of interviews of people from all walks and in wildly varied roles pertaining to the World War II experience. In the process, it violates almost all the rules of grammar and style in the service of authenticity. The interviewees tell their stories and we can’t help but believe them whether they are ignorant country women working in ammunition factories, foot soldiers, Japanese-American internees or highly educated generals and economists.

Authenticity carries these gripping stories and provides our lesson for the day. Reality in phrasing and imagery generates emotional engagement and empathy. Worked for Studs Terkel and works for us in constructing our own less-than-epic stories.