What would you call the stylistic omission of punctuation?





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}







15















I'm wondering if there's a name for a literary device in which an author intentionally leaves out grammar to make a sentence feel rushed, anxious, or continuous. I notice this a lot in memes, tweets, and Tumblr posts in particular. I feel like there's a definite effect on the way the language is interpreted, but I can't find any defined literary devices that properly encapsulate this idea. Some terms like "stream of consciousness" seem close but too vague.



For example:



"Wow Bukowski so profound do you also bathe fully clothed you idiot."



"One time I saw a guy eating a sandwich and skipping rocks and I don't know he just threw his sandwich in the water and put a rock in his mouth and I could just see him dying inside"










share|improve this question




















  • 7





    Good question. I think often it is sloppy laziness, but equally I think it is often deliberate. I write poetry and I often omit punctuation to allow sentences to run into each other giving elements of ambiguity and different nuances of meaning.

    – Lee Leon
    Dec 6 '17 at 8:34






  • 4





    The second example seems to work -- the lack of punctuation gives it a rushed feel. But, honestly, the first one isn't something you'd say quickly and the lack of punctuation there just looks like bad writing.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:42






  • 1





    internet vernacular

    – Mazura
    Dec 6 '17 at 23:11






  • 1





    In my opinion, neither "run on" nor "stream of consciousness" seem to describe this newer brand of punctuation-less sentences, which seem to me to have appeared after digital communication took over. It's doesn't serve the same purpose as stream-of-consciousness; it's more like a particular voice, one from someone who either doesn't know proper punctuation, or--more likely--just can't be bothered.

    – bob
    Dec 7 '17 at 1:01








  • 1





    Well, tweets have a maximum character count, so anything goes to save a character or two there. Twitter is no place for a writer, imo.

    – Octopus
    Dec 7 '17 at 6:30


















15















I'm wondering if there's a name for a literary device in which an author intentionally leaves out grammar to make a sentence feel rushed, anxious, or continuous. I notice this a lot in memes, tweets, and Tumblr posts in particular. I feel like there's a definite effect on the way the language is interpreted, but I can't find any defined literary devices that properly encapsulate this idea. Some terms like "stream of consciousness" seem close but too vague.



For example:



"Wow Bukowski so profound do you also bathe fully clothed you idiot."



"One time I saw a guy eating a sandwich and skipping rocks and I don't know he just threw his sandwich in the water and put a rock in his mouth and I could just see him dying inside"










share|improve this question




















  • 7





    Good question. I think often it is sloppy laziness, but equally I think it is often deliberate. I write poetry and I often omit punctuation to allow sentences to run into each other giving elements of ambiguity and different nuances of meaning.

    – Lee Leon
    Dec 6 '17 at 8:34






  • 4





    The second example seems to work -- the lack of punctuation gives it a rushed feel. But, honestly, the first one isn't something you'd say quickly and the lack of punctuation there just looks like bad writing.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:42






  • 1





    internet vernacular

    – Mazura
    Dec 6 '17 at 23:11






  • 1





    In my opinion, neither "run on" nor "stream of consciousness" seem to describe this newer brand of punctuation-less sentences, which seem to me to have appeared after digital communication took over. It's doesn't serve the same purpose as stream-of-consciousness; it's more like a particular voice, one from someone who either doesn't know proper punctuation, or--more likely--just can't be bothered.

    – bob
    Dec 7 '17 at 1:01








  • 1





    Well, tweets have a maximum character count, so anything goes to save a character or two there. Twitter is no place for a writer, imo.

    – Octopus
    Dec 7 '17 at 6:30














15












15








15


1






I'm wondering if there's a name for a literary device in which an author intentionally leaves out grammar to make a sentence feel rushed, anxious, or continuous. I notice this a lot in memes, tweets, and Tumblr posts in particular. I feel like there's a definite effect on the way the language is interpreted, but I can't find any defined literary devices that properly encapsulate this idea. Some terms like "stream of consciousness" seem close but too vague.



For example:



"Wow Bukowski so profound do you also bathe fully clothed you idiot."



"One time I saw a guy eating a sandwich and skipping rocks and I don't know he just threw his sandwich in the water and put a rock in his mouth and I could just see him dying inside"










share|improve this question
















I'm wondering if there's a name for a literary device in which an author intentionally leaves out grammar to make a sentence feel rushed, anxious, or continuous. I notice this a lot in memes, tweets, and Tumblr posts in particular. I feel like there's a definite effect on the way the language is interpreted, but I can't find any defined literary devices that properly encapsulate this idea. Some terms like "stream of consciousness" seem close but too vague.



For example:



"Wow Bukowski so profound do you also bathe fully clothed you idiot."



"One time I saw a guy eating a sandwich and skipping rocks and I don't know he just threw his sandwich in the water and put a rock in his mouth and I could just see him dying inside"







single-word-requests phrase-requests






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 6 '17 at 14:15









psmears

13.1k14659




13.1k14659










asked Dec 6 '17 at 7:10









Matthew SbarMatthew Sbar

785




785








  • 7





    Good question. I think often it is sloppy laziness, but equally I think it is often deliberate. I write poetry and I often omit punctuation to allow sentences to run into each other giving elements of ambiguity and different nuances of meaning.

    – Lee Leon
    Dec 6 '17 at 8:34






  • 4





    The second example seems to work -- the lack of punctuation gives it a rushed feel. But, honestly, the first one isn't something you'd say quickly and the lack of punctuation there just looks like bad writing.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:42






  • 1





    internet vernacular

    – Mazura
    Dec 6 '17 at 23:11






  • 1





    In my opinion, neither "run on" nor "stream of consciousness" seem to describe this newer brand of punctuation-less sentences, which seem to me to have appeared after digital communication took over. It's doesn't serve the same purpose as stream-of-consciousness; it's more like a particular voice, one from someone who either doesn't know proper punctuation, or--more likely--just can't be bothered.

    – bob
    Dec 7 '17 at 1:01








  • 1





    Well, tweets have a maximum character count, so anything goes to save a character or two there. Twitter is no place for a writer, imo.

    – Octopus
    Dec 7 '17 at 6:30














  • 7





    Good question. I think often it is sloppy laziness, but equally I think it is often deliberate. I write poetry and I often omit punctuation to allow sentences to run into each other giving elements of ambiguity and different nuances of meaning.

    – Lee Leon
    Dec 6 '17 at 8:34






  • 4





    The second example seems to work -- the lack of punctuation gives it a rushed feel. But, honestly, the first one isn't something you'd say quickly and the lack of punctuation there just looks like bad writing.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:42






  • 1





    internet vernacular

    – Mazura
    Dec 6 '17 at 23:11






  • 1





    In my opinion, neither "run on" nor "stream of consciousness" seem to describe this newer brand of punctuation-less sentences, which seem to me to have appeared after digital communication took over. It's doesn't serve the same purpose as stream-of-consciousness; it's more like a particular voice, one from someone who either doesn't know proper punctuation, or--more likely--just can't be bothered.

    – bob
    Dec 7 '17 at 1:01








  • 1





    Well, tweets have a maximum character count, so anything goes to save a character or two there. Twitter is no place for a writer, imo.

    – Octopus
    Dec 7 '17 at 6:30








7




7





Good question. I think often it is sloppy laziness, but equally I think it is often deliberate. I write poetry and I often omit punctuation to allow sentences to run into each other giving elements of ambiguity and different nuances of meaning.

– Lee Leon
Dec 6 '17 at 8:34





Good question. I think often it is sloppy laziness, but equally I think it is often deliberate. I write poetry and I often omit punctuation to allow sentences to run into each other giving elements of ambiguity and different nuances of meaning.

– Lee Leon
Dec 6 '17 at 8:34




4




4





The second example seems to work -- the lack of punctuation gives it a rushed feel. But, honestly, the first one isn't something you'd say quickly and the lack of punctuation there just looks like bad writing.

– David Richerby
Dec 6 '17 at 13:42





The second example seems to work -- the lack of punctuation gives it a rushed feel. But, honestly, the first one isn't something you'd say quickly and the lack of punctuation there just looks like bad writing.

– David Richerby
Dec 6 '17 at 13:42




1




1





internet vernacular

– Mazura
Dec 6 '17 at 23:11





internet vernacular

– Mazura
Dec 6 '17 at 23:11




1




1





In my opinion, neither "run on" nor "stream of consciousness" seem to describe this newer brand of punctuation-less sentences, which seem to me to have appeared after digital communication took over. It's doesn't serve the same purpose as stream-of-consciousness; it's more like a particular voice, one from someone who either doesn't know proper punctuation, or--more likely--just can't be bothered.

– bob
Dec 7 '17 at 1:01







In my opinion, neither "run on" nor "stream of consciousness" seem to describe this newer brand of punctuation-less sentences, which seem to me to have appeared after digital communication took over. It's doesn't serve the same purpose as stream-of-consciousness; it's more like a particular voice, one from someone who either doesn't know proper punctuation, or--more likely--just can't be bothered.

– bob
Dec 7 '17 at 1:01






1




1





Well, tweets have a maximum character count, so anything goes to save a character or two there. Twitter is no place for a writer, imo.

– Octopus
Dec 7 '17 at 6:30





Well, tweets have a maximum character count, so anything goes to save a character or two there. Twitter is no place for a writer, imo.

– Octopus
Dec 7 '17 at 6:30










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















15














The best existing candidates have both been aired. As I said in my comments on Oerlekens, one problem is that ‘the Greeks did not have a word for it’. Indeed, they did not have punctuation at all. Failing the Greeks, the Americans are very good at coining words and phrases. So ‘run-on’ is in origin an American English expression.



But today’s Greeks do have a word for punctuation which might do: stixi (στίξη). It is derived from the ancient word stichos (στιχος), meaning a rank of soldiers. But the word came also to denote musical notation. From that it must have been adopted as the best word for punctuation.



From there, we might be able to construct the literary term Matthew Sbarr is seeking.



To turn it into its negative, you would add the *privative alpha, as in astixia. It might be astixis; or it might be astichism. Either would be a legitimate coinage. Because neither has been used before, so far as I can discover, you have a free choice. I prefer the former.



The trouble with this, however, is that before it can be used, you or someone has to publish an article on the subject and hope some readers run up the flag and salute!



Short of that you are left with ‘run-on’ and ‘stream of consciousness’, neither of which is ideal.



As a last resort, I wonder if ‘the Germans have a word for it’: they often do! In fact, looking up the word unpunctuatedness, I find the word unpunktiertheit.



This, in turn, has led me to discover that critical commentators on Joyce do use the term unpunctuatedness to express the quality of some of his writing. For example, Derek Atridge uses it in Joyce Effects. This refers to the quality of the practice rather than to the practice itself. But there it is.






share|improve this answer





















  • 2





    A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:52






  • 1





    This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

    – Matthew Sbar
    Dec 6 '17 at 21:00






  • 2





    ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Dec 6 '17 at 21:59











  • Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

    – Tuffy
    Dec 7 '17 at 0:23











  • @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

    – Tuffy
    Oct 17 '18 at 10:14



















9














The first thing that came to mind was James Joyce, and more specifically Ulysses, where he uses a narrative technique called stream of consciousness:




In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a narrative mode or method that attempts to depict the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind.




As the Wikipedia-article mentions, he didn't invent it and wasn't the first to use it.



Note that not all punctuation is excluded, as can be seen in this sample that is also quoted on Wikipedia:




a quarter after what an unearthly hour I suppose theyre just getting up in China now combing out their pigtails for the day well soon have the nuns ringing the angelus theyve nobody coming in to spoil their sleep except an odd priest or two for his night office the alarmlock next door at cockshout clattering the brains out of itself let me see if I can doze off 1 2 3 4 5 what kind of flowers are those they invented like the stars the wallpaper in Lombard street was much nicer the apron he gave me was like that something only I only wore it twice better lower this lamp and try again so that I can get up early




Proper names are still capitalised, and the space is not omitted.






share|improve this answer
























  • Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

    – Tuffy
    Dec 6 '17 at 9:31











  • I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

    – Tuffy
    Dec 6 '17 at 10:14



















4














The examples you quote appear to be run-on sentences. Out of many definitions, here's one:




Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation; they can be long, but they can also be short.




From quickanddirtytips



Read more with interesting examples: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsentences




A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.




Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.




There are two complete sentences in the above example:




Sentence 1: I love to write papers.



Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.








share|improve this answer





















  • 1





    Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

    – Matthew Sbar
    Dec 6 '17 at 9:49






  • 3





    That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:47






  • 6





    In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:50








  • 3





    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

    – Restioson
    Dec 6 '17 at 14:07






  • 1





    I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

    – NVZ
    Dec 7 '17 at 5:30



















0














Such a sentence in academic prose is considered a stringy structure and is, therefore, edited. The error in punctuation is considered flagrant when it interferes with meaning and leads to ambiguity. The example is not ambiguous and still makes sense because of the narrative voice. As long as there is no equivocation or vagueness, the sentence--in fiction or poetry--should be analyzed for its inherent and relevant purpose.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "97"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });














    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f421224%2fwhat-would-you-call-the-stylistic-omission-of-punctuation%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes








    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    15














    The best existing candidates have both been aired. As I said in my comments on Oerlekens, one problem is that ‘the Greeks did not have a word for it’. Indeed, they did not have punctuation at all. Failing the Greeks, the Americans are very good at coining words and phrases. So ‘run-on’ is in origin an American English expression.



    But today’s Greeks do have a word for punctuation which might do: stixi (στίξη). It is derived from the ancient word stichos (στιχος), meaning a rank of soldiers. But the word came also to denote musical notation. From that it must have been adopted as the best word for punctuation.



    From there, we might be able to construct the literary term Matthew Sbarr is seeking.



    To turn it into its negative, you would add the *privative alpha, as in astixia. It might be astixis; or it might be astichism. Either would be a legitimate coinage. Because neither has been used before, so far as I can discover, you have a free choice. I prefer the former.



    The trouble with this, however, is that before it can be used, you or someone has to publish an article on the subject and hope some readers run up the flag and salute!



    Short of that you are left with ‘run-on’ and ‘stream of consciousness’, neither of which is ideal.



    As a last resort, I wonder if ‘the Germans have a word for it’: they often do! In fact, looking up the word unpunctuatedness, I find the word unpunktiertheit.



    This, in turn, has led me to discover that critical commentators on Joyce do use the term unpunctuatedness to express the quality of some of his writing. For example, Derek Atridge uses it in Joyce Effects. This refers to the quality of the practice rather than to the practice itself. But there it is.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 2





      A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:52






    • 1





      This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:00






    • 2





      ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

      – Edwin Ashworth
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:59











    • Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 7 '17 at 0:23











    • @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

      – Tuffy
      Oct 17 '18 at 10:14
















    15














    The best existing candidates have both been aired. As I said in my comments on Oerlekens, one problem is that ‘the Greeks did not have a word for it’. Indeed, they did not have punctuation at all. Failing the Greeks, the Americans are very good at coining words and phrases. So ‘run-on’ is in origin an American English expression.



    But today’s Greeks do have a word for punctuation which might do: stixi (στίξη). It is derived from the ancient word stichos (στιχος), meaning a rank of soldiers. But the word came also to denote musical notation. From that it must have been adopted as the best word for punctuation.



    From there, we might be able to construct the literary term Matthew Sbarr is seeking.



    To turn it into its negative, you would add the *privative alpha, as in astixia. It might be astixis; or it might be astichism. Either would be a legitimate coinage. Because neither has been used before, so far as I can discover, you have a free choice. I prefer the former.



    The trouble with this, however, is that before it can be used, you or someone has to publish an article on the subject and hope some readers run up the flag and salute!



    Short of that you are left with ‘run-on’ and ‘stream of consciousness’, neither of which is ideal.



    As a last resort, I wonder if ‘the Germans have a word for it’: they often do! In fact, looking up the word unpunctuatedness, I find the word unpunktiertheit.



    This, in turn, has led me to discover that critical commentators on Joyce do use the term unpunctuatedness to express the quality of some of his writing. For example, Derek Atridge uses it in Joyce Effects. This refers to the quality of the practice rather than to the practice itself. But there it is.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 2





      A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:52






    • 1





      This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:00






    • 2





      ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

      – Edwin Ashworth
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:59











    • Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 7 '17 at 0:23











    • @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

      – Tuffy
      Oct 17 '18 at 10:14














    15












    15








    15







    The best existing candidates have both been aired. As I said in my comments on Oerlekens, one problem is that ‘the Greeks did not have a word for it’. Indeed, they did not have punctuation at all. Failing the Greeks, the Americans are very good at coining words and phrases. So ‘run-on’ is in origin an American English expression.



    But today’s Greeks do have a word for punctuation which might do: stixi (στίξη). It is derived from the ancient word stichos (στιχος), meaning a rank of soldiers. But the word came also to denote musical notation. From that it must have been adopted as the best word for punctuation.



    From there, we might be able to construct the literary term Matthew Sbarr is seeking.



    To turn it into its negative, you would add the *privative alpha, as in astixia. It might be astixis; or it might be astichism. Either would be a legitimate coinage. Because neither has been used before, so far as I can discover, you have a free choice. I prefer the former.



    The trouble with this, however, is that before it can be used, you or someone has to publish an article on the subject and hope some readers run up the flag and salute!



    Short of that you are left with ‘run-on’ and ‘stream of consciousness’, neither of which is ideal.



    As a last resort, I wonder if ‘the Germans have a word for it’: they often do! In fact, looking up the word unpunctuatedness, I find the word unpunktiertheit.



    This, in turn, has led me to discover that critical commentators on Joyce do use the term unpunctuatedness to express the quality of some of his writing. For example, Derek Atridge uses it in Joyce Effects. This refers to the quality of the practice rather than to the practice itself. But there it is.






    share|improve this answer















    The best existing candidates have both been aired. As I said in my comments on Oerlekens, one problem is that ‘the Greeks did not have a word for it’. Indeed, they did not have punctuation at all. Failing the Greeks, the Americans are very good at coining words and phrases. So ‘run-on’ is in origin an American English expression.



    But today’s Greeks do have a word for punctuation which might do: stixi (στίξη). It is derived from the ancient word stichos (στιχος), meaning a rank of soldiers. But the word came also to denote musical notation. From that it must have been adopted as the best word for punctuation.



    From there, we might be able to construct the literary term Matthew Sbarr is seeking.



    To turn it into its negative, you would add the *privative alpha, as in astixia. It might be astixis; or it might be astichism. Either would be a legitimate coinage. Because neither has been used before, so far as I can discover, you have a free choice. I prefer the former.



    The trouble with this, however, is that before it can be used, you or someone has to publish an article on the subject and hope some readers run up the flag and salute!



    Short of that you are left with ‘run-on’ and ‘stream of consciousness’, neither of which is ideal.



    As a last resort, I wonder if ‘the Germans have a word for it’: they often do! In fact, looking up the word unpunctuatedness, I find the word unpunktiertheit.



    This, in turn, has led me to discover that critical commentators on Joyce do use the term unpunctuatedness to express the quality of some of his writing. For example, Derek Atridge uses it in Joyce Effects. This refers to the quality of the practice rather than to the practice itself. But there it is.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 2 '18 at 18:16

























    answered Dec 6 '17 at 12:46









    TuffyTuffy

    4,1251621




    4,1251621








    • 2





      A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:52






    • 1





      This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:00






    • 2





      ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

      – Edwin Ashworth
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:59











    • Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 7 '17 at 0:23











    • @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

      – Tuffy
      Oct 17 '18 at 10:14














    • 2





      A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:52






    • 1





      This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:00






    • 2





      ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

      – Edwin Ashworth
      Dec 6 '17 at 21:59











    • Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 7 '17 at 0:23











    • @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

      – Tuffy
      Oct 17 '18 at 10:14








    2




    2





    A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:52





    A run-on sentence is a specific thing. The second example in the question isn't a run-on, since all the independent clauses are properly linked (with conjunctions).

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:52




    1




    1





    This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

    – Matthew Sbar
    Dec 6 '17 at 21:00





    This was really insightful! The notion of bending and breaking the rules of grammar to create a tone or imply a personality is a really interesting concept to me, I might have to coin a few terms and then become a famous academic.

    – Matthew Sbar
    Dec 6 '17 at 21:00




    2




    2





    ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Dec 6 '17 at 21:59





    ELU, not ELD-I-Y.

    – Edwin Ashworth
    Dec 6 '17 at 21:59













    Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

    – Tuffy
    Dec 7 '17 at 0:23





    Thank you for this, Edwin. It puts me in mind of a question I need to ask.

    – Tuffy
    Dec 7 '17 at 0:23













    @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

    – Tuffy
    Oct 17 '18 at 10:14





    @EdwinAshworth Neat, as ever. But, of course, the paradox is that for every established usage there must have been some D-I-Y beforehand. Except, perhaps, where the new usage is established by some sort of authority.

    – Tuffy
    Oct 17 '18 at 10:14













    9














    The first thing that came to mind was James Joyce, and more specifically Ulysses, where he uses a narrative technique called stream of consciousness:




    In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a narrative mode or method that attempts to depict the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind.




    As the Wikipedia-article mentions, he didn't invent it and wasn't the first to use it.



    Note that not all punctuation is excluded, as can be seen in this sample that is also quoted on Wikipedia:




    a quarter after what an unearthly hour I suppose theyre just getting up in China now combing out their pigtails for the day well soon have the nuns ringing the angelus theyve nobody coming in to spoil their sleep except an odd priest or two for his night office the alarmlock next door at cockshout clattering the brains out of itself let me see if I can doze off 1 2 3 4 5 what kind of flowers are those they invented like the stars the wallpaper in Lombard street was much nicer the apron he gave me was like that something only I only wore it twice better lower this lamp and try again so that I can get up early




    Proper names are still capitalised, and the space is not omitted.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:31











    • I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 10:14
















    9














    The first thing that came to mind was James Joyce, and more specifically Ulysses, where he uses a narrative technique called stream of consciousness:




    In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a narrative mode or method that attempts to depict the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind.




    As the Wikipedia-article mentions, he didn't invent it and wasn't the first to use it.



    Note that not all punctuation is excluded, as can be seen in this sample that is also quoted on Wikipedia:




    a quarter after what an unearthly hour I suppose theyre just getting up in China now combing out their pigtails for the day well soon have the nuns ringing the angelus theyve nobody coming in to spoil their sleep except an odd priest or two for his night office the alarmlock next door at cockshout clattering the brains out of itself let me see if I can doze off 1 2 3 4 5 what kind of flowers are those they invented like the stars the wallpaper in Lombard street was much nicer the apron he gave me was like that something only I only wore it twice better lower this lamp and try again so that I can get up early




    Proper names are still capitalised, and the space is not omitted.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:31











    • I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 10:14














    9












    9








    9







    The first thing that came to mind was James Joyce, and more specifically Ulysses, where he uses a narrative technique called stream of consciousness:




    In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a narrative mode or method that attempts to depict the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind.




    As the Wikipedia-article mentions, he didn't invent it and wasn't the first to use it.



    Note that not all punctuation is excluded, as can be seen in this sample that is also quoted on Wikipedia:




    a quarter after what an unearthly hour I suppose theyre just getting up in China now combing out their pigtails for the day well soon have the nuns ringing the angelus theyve nobody coming in to spoil their sleep except an odd priest or two for his night office the alarmlock next door at cockshout clattering the brains out of itself let me see if I can doze off 1 2 3 4 5 what kind of flowers are those they invented like the stars the wallpaper in Lombard street was much nicer the apron he gave me was like that something only I only wore it twice better lower this lamp and try again so that I can get up early




    Proper names are still capitalised, and the space is not omitted.






    share|improve this answer













    The first thing that came to mind was James Joyce, and more specifically Ulysses, where he uses a narrative technique called stream of consciousness:




    In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a narrative mode or method that attempts to depict the multitudinous thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind.




    As the Wikipedia-article mentions, he didn't invent it and wasn't the first to use it.



    Note that not all punctuation is excluded, as can be seen in this sample that is also quoted on Wikipedia:




    a quarter after what an unearthly hour I suppose theyre just getting up in China now combing out their pigtails for the day well soon have the nuns ringing the angelus theyve nobody coming in to spoil their sleep except an odd priest or two for his night office the alarmlock next door at cockshout clattering the brains out of itself let me see if I can doze off 1 2 3 4 5 what kind of flowers are those they invented like the stars the wallpaper in Lombard street was much nicer the apron he gave me was like that something only I only wore it twice better lower this lamp and try again so that I can get up early




    Proper names are still capitalised, and the space is not omitted.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Dec 6 '17 at 8:54









    oerkelensoerkelens

    33.9k792123




    33.9k792123













    • Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:31











    • I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 10:14



















    • Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:31











    • I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

      – Tuffy
      Dec 6 '17 at 10:14

















    Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

    – Tuffy
    Dec 6 '17 at 9:31





    Yes, ‘run-on’ is the nearest I can think of. Unfortunately, it is so often used as a pejorative term, picking someone up for failing to use a full stop or question or exclamation mark. So it is not really a suitable candidate for complete absence of punctuation.

    – Tuffy
    Dec 6 '17 at 9:31













    I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

    – Tuffy
    Dec 6 '17 at 10:14





    I am sorry to have miscued with my last comment, which is about the second answer! On your answer, ‘stream of consciousness’ is the best idea available. But this does not have to be unpunctuated, so long as it skips disconnectedly from one thought to the next. I suspect the lack of a literary term for lack of punctuation is that (for once!) the Greeks did not have a word for it. In fact, they did not have punctuation at all. Nor did any other ancient civilisation in the west and middle east. Even words were not separated. But modern Greeks do: ‘stixi’ (στίξη). So ‘astixic’?

    – Tuffy
    Dec 6 '17 at 10:14











    4














    The examples you quote appear to be run-on sentences. Out of many definitions, here's one:




    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation; they can be long, but they can also be short.




    From quickanddirtytips



    Read more with interesting examples: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsentences




    A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.




    Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.




    There are two complete sentences in the above example:




    Sentence 1: I love to write papers.



    Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.








    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:49






    • 3





      That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:47






    • 6





      In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:50








    • 3





      Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

      – Restioson
      Dec 6 '17 at 14:07






    • 1





      I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

      – NVZ
      Dec 7 '17 at 5:30
















    4














    The examples you quote appear to be run-on sentences. Out of many definitions, here's one:




    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation; they can be long, but they can also be short.




    From quickanddirtytips



    Read more with interesting examples: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsentences




    A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.




    Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.




    There are two complete sentences in the above example:




    Sentence 1: I love to write papers.



    Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.








    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:49






    • 3





      That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:47






    • 6





      In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:50








    • 3





      Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

      – Restioson
      Dec 6 '17 at 14:07






    • 1





      I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

      – NVZ
      Dec 7 '17 at 5:30














    4












    4








    4







    The examples you quote appear to be run-on sentences. Out of many definitions, here's one:




    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation; they can be long, but they can also be short.




    From quickanddirtytips



    Read more with interesting examples: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsentences




    A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.




    Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.




    There are two complete sentences in the above example:




    Sentence 1: I love to write papers.



    Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.








    share|improve this answer















    The examples you quote appear to be run-on sentences. Out of many definitions, here's one:




    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation; they can be long, but they can also be short.




    From quickanddirtytips



    Read more with interesting examples: http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/runonsentences




    A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.




    Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.




    There are two complete sentences in the above example:




    Sentence 1: I love to write papers.



    Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.









    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Dec 7 '17 at 5:36

























    answered Dec 6 '17 at 8:38









    NVZNVZ

    20.9k1460110




    20.9k1460110








    • 1





      Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:49






    • 3





      That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:47






    • 6





      In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:50








    • 3





      Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

      – Restioson
      Dec 6 '17 at 14:07






    • 1





      I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

      – NVZ
      Dec 7 '17 at 5:30














    • 1





      Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

      – Matthew Sbar
      Dec 6 '17 at 9:49






    • 3





      That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:47






    • 6





      In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

      – David Richerby
      Dec 6 '17 at 13:50








    • 3





      Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

      – Restioson
      Dec 6 '17 at 14:07






    • 1





      I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

      – NVZ
      Dec 7 '17 at 5:30








    1




    1





    Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

    – Matthew Sbar
    Dec 6 '17 at 9:49





    Interestingly, the run-on sentence seems to be presented as an error and never as a stylistic choice. Maybe there are a new batch of literary devices waiting to be named. The ones which are often discussed/defined focus on words over type, but so much of tone comes from how people present their words, I notice many millennials use the run on sentence as a display of anxiety or apathy, some people use strictly lowercase to seem informal, baby boomers on Facebook will capitalize random words, the use of emojis to indicate irony, and so on.

    – Matthew Sbar
    Dec 6 '17 at 9:49




    3




    3





    That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:47





    That really isn't a good definition of run-on sentence. A run-on sentence is one with two or more independent clauses that haven't been properly joined together. The second one is not a run-on sentence: the only punctuation that's missing is something to separate off the interjection "I don't know". All the other clauses are correctly joined (by conjunctions). The first example is a run-on sentence.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:47




    6




    6





    In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:50







    In particular, run-on sentences don't necessarily lack punctuation. The stereotypical run-on sentence is something like "Ponies are cute, I like ponies" where a comma is used to separate two independent clauses that should be separated by at least a semi-colon or a conjunction (this particular form of run-on is known as a comma splice). Conversely, the sentence "I like ponies" contains no punctuation but isn't a run-on.

    – David Richerby
    Dec 6 '17 at 13:50






    3




    3





    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

    – Restioson
    Dec 6 '17 at 14:07





    Run-on sentences are sentences that lack punctuation they can be long but they can also be short

    – Restioson
    Dec 6 '17 at 14:07




    1




    1





    I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

    – NVZ
    Dec 7 '17 at 5:30





    I said "out of many definitions", and some people just do not see that. The other definitions and "further reading" can be found if you follow the link.

    – NVZ
    Dec 7 '17 at 5:30











    0














    Such a sentence in academic prose is considered a stringy structure and is, therefore, edited. The error in punctuation is considered flagrant when it interferes with meaning and leads to ambiguity. The example is not ambiguous and still makes sense because of the narrative voice. As long as there is no equivocation or vagueness, the sentence--in fiction or poetry--should be analyzed for its inherent and relevant purpose.






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.

























      0














      Such a sentence in academic prose is considered a stringy structure and is, therefore, edited. The error in punctuation is considered flagrant when it interferes with meaning and leads to ambiguity. The example is not ambiguous and still makes sense because of the narrative voice. As long as there is no equivocation or vagueness, the sentence--in fiction or poetry--should be analyzed for its inherent and relevant purpose.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.























        0












        0








        0







        Such a sentence in academic prose is considered a stringy structure and is, therefore, edited. The error in punctuation is considered flagrant when it interferes with meaning and leads to ambiguity. The example is not ambiguous and still makes sense because of the narrative voice. As long as there is no equivocation or vagueness, the sentence--in fiction or poetry--should be analyzed for its inherent and relevant purpose.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.










        Such a sentence in academic prose is considered a stringy structure and is, therefore, edited. The error in punctuation is considered flagrant when it interferes with meaning and leads to ambiguity. The example is not ambiguous and still makes sense because of the narrative voice. As long as there is no equivocation or vagueness, the sentence--in fiction or poetry--should be analyzed for its inherent and relevant purpose.







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        New contributor




        LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered 4 hours ago









        LISA MAKHOULLISA MAKHOUL

        11




        11




        New contributor




        LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        LISA MAKHOUL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






























            draft saved

            draft discarded




















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f421224%2fwhat-would-you-call-the-stylistic-omission-of-punctuation%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            Category:香港粉麵

            List *all* the tuples!

            Channel [V]