Peter Schjeldahl Notes Part II

Selected notes from Peter's teachings on critical writing, continued (click here for Part I):

Lead with a quality judgement.

Jokes are so important.

ISV, a fictional character: The Incredibly Stupid Viewer, who must be respected.

Avoid French words [Oops, you mean like "Chateau?"].

If it sounds wrong, being right won't save it.

[Recommended books:] For tone, Persuasion by Jane Austen and The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler.

Logic is very bad for you. Pain always produces logic ["Pain always produces logic, which is very bad for you."]. Frank O'Hara

Power is defined by use. [For example] If you have a light source and never plug it in....

You have to be able to make an enemy every week and not run out of friends.

Sophistication is always specific to a use.

To be Continued.

Book cover images via Jane Austin in Vermont and Cover Browser.