Writing for Style: Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss

Adapted from Richard's Grammar & Composition Blog

It has often been said
there's so much to be read,
you never can cram
all those words in your head.

So the writer who breeds
more words than he needs
is making a chore
for the reader who reads.

That's why my belief is
the briefer the brief is,
the greater the sigh
of the reader's relief is.
-- Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)

Known to children and parents as Dr. Seuss, Theodore Geisel wasn't only a writer of children's stories. Early in his career he published satirical articles, wrote advertising copy, and drew political cartoons. Even after gaining fame with books about Horton, the Grinch, and other comic characters, he kept older readers in mind as well. Oh, the Places You'll Go! (1990) may have a reading level of ages four to eight, but it's most popular as a graduation gift for high school and college students.

He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Geisel's thoughts on writing are as quotable as his books. The key to good writing, he once said, is "meticulosity"--a peculiarly Seussian quality that takes years to learn.

For Dr. Siess's thoughts on writing and poetic meter, go to Dr. Seuss on the Writing Tips page of Moore Partners.