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Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal
Posted By: General Battuta <seth.dickinson@gmail.com>	Date: 2/17/11 10:59 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal (Kermit) : All defenses of this line rely on elaborate constructions of what Arbiter is : referring to by "it." These constructions in turn rely on mind : reading and knowledge of the Arbiter's psychology at the moment that we do : not have. The myriad of meanings for that pronoun only underscores what a : poor choice that line was. Complex writing often relies on knowledge of the character's psychology, which we have (as implied by the situation and his delivery and bearing.) Intentional ambiguity is a good literary technique, especially when the reader's knowledge of the character allows them to assign meaning to the ambiguity in more than one meaningful way - as we have hear. Saying that a line is bad because it requires the viewer to think about the character's ambiguous feelings at the end of a trilogy-long narrative strikes me as missing the point. What if the line were meant to force the reader to ask 'what did the Arbiter mean by that'? For many of us, it has apparently succeeded. : It's a simple phrase that is a stock response when someone exaggerates the : ease of a task. No one does this the script. Even if I were to take this as absolute truth - and I believe the phrase can be used other ways - are we to apply language solely as it was 'meant' to be applied? That would undercut much of the writer's art. : I've been in dozens of creative writing workshops on an undergraduate and : graduate level, and I've taught a few. I wouldn't necessary nix the line, : but I would say it needs a clear set up, else it stops the reader, because : the reader is unsure of what "it" refers to. I've never had a problem with this line. I don't think it's brilliant, but I think it's one of the better parts of the Halo 3 script. I don't necessarily think your wrong - reactions to writing will always differ - but I don't think you have any grounds to assert that there is some universally applicable flaw here.

Message Index

'Were it so easy.'	SonofMacPhisto	2/16/11 11:33 p.m.
Halo 3's Storytelling...	uberfoop	2/17/11 12:03 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Hawaiian Pig	2/17/11 12:09 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	GrimBrother One	2/17/11 12:19 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Narcogen	2/17/11 12:30 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Hawaiian Pig	2/17/11 12:53 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	thebruce0	2/17/11 9:22 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Flynn J Taggart	2/17/11 1:49 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 1:59 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Hawaiian Pig	2/17/11 2:20 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Kaidon 047	2/17/11 6:57 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	ManKitten	2/17/11 9:29 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 1:54 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	The BS Police	2/17/11 2:43 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Avateur	2/17/11 6:33 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Jillybean	2/17/11 10:49 a.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Narcogen	2/17/11 10:34 p.m.
Re: Halo 3's Storytelling...	Jillybean	2/18/11 10:57 a.m.
Upon further consideration.	uberfoop	2/17/11 3:25 p.m.
Re: Upon further consideration.	Hawaiian Pig	2/17/11 4:10 p.m.
Re: Upon further consideration.	Metalingus627	2/17/11 5:29 p.m.
Re: Upon further consideration.	Narcogen	2/17/11 10:32 p.m.
Re: Upon further consideration.	Flynn J Taggart	2/18/11 12:28 a.m.
It's a beautiful cutscene.	padraig08	2/17/11 12:05 a.m.
Re: It's a beautiful cutscene.	uberfoop	2/17/11 12:21 a.m.
Re: It's a beautiful cutscene.	Stephen L. (SoundEffect)	2/17/11 6:42 a.m.
The cutscene that does it for me is...	GrimBrother One	2/17/11 12:25 a.m.
Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...	Jaydee	2/17/11 12:38 a.m.
Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 1:49 a.m.
Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...	Leviathan	2/17/11 2:42 a.m.
Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...	Stephen L. (SoundEffect)	2/17/11 6:45 a.m.
completely agree, one of my favorites for sure *NM*	T07WRX5	2/17/11 2:19 p.m.
Re: The cutscene that does it for me is...	Narcogen	2/17/11 10:28 p.m.
This^ *NM*	Kermit	2/17/11 11:15 p.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	Jaydee	2/17/11 12:28 a.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 2:06 a.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	Leviathan	2/17/11 2:08 a.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 2:11 a.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	Leviathan	2/17/11 2:18 a.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 2:20 a.m.
Re: 'Were it so easy.'	Leviathan	2/17/11 2:36 a.m.
Worst line of the series, period.	Kermit	2/17/11 5:49 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Azo 'Galvat	2/17/11 7:47 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	General Battuta	2/17/11 8:28 a.m.
Same. *NM*	Beckx	2/17/11 9:35 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	kanbo	2/17/11 10:03 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Kermit	2/17/11 10:10 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Beckx	2/17/11 10:14 a.m.
Their, there, they're, thar. *NM*	Beckx	2/17/11 10:15 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Kermit	2/17/11 10:20 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Beckx	2/17/11 10:23 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Schooly D	2/17/11 10:26 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	General Battuta	2/17/11 10:29 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	ManKitten	2/17/11 10:32 a.m.
Nicely phoneticized *NM*	thebruce0	2/17/11 10:44 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 1:30 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Avateur	2/17/11 2:10 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Beckx	2/17/11 4:12 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Avateur	2/17/11 6:22 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Leisandir	2/18/11 10:39 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Avateur	2/18/11 11:09 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	General Battuta	2/18/11 11:58 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	uberfoop	2/19/11 12:12 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Leisandir	2/19/11 1:06 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Hawaiian Pig	2/19/11 1:11 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Leisandir	2/19/11 11:06 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Avateur	2/19/11 2:24 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Leisandir	2/19/11 2:42 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	uberfoop	2/19/11 3:16 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	General Battuta	2/19/11 4:32 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	SonofMacPhisto	2/19/11 4:49 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	uberfoop	2/19/11 2:53 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Beckx	2/17/11 10:33 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	NsU Soldier	2/17/11 11:47 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Azo 'Galvat	2/17/11 10:43 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Narcogen	2/17/11 10:27 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Stephen L. (SoundEffect)	2/17/11 10:32 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	thebruce0	2/17/11 10:53 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Stephen L. (SoundEffect)	2/17/11 11:10 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	JDQuackers	2/17/11 1:11 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	thebruce0	2/17/11 1:55 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Hawaiian Pig	2/17/11 3:49 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Stephen L. (SoundEffect)	2/17/11 7:16 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	DEEP NNN	2/17/11 7:51 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	thebruce0	2/17/11 10:33 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Narcogen	2/17/11 10:33 p.m.
Here is my brilliant analysis	General Battuta	2/17/11 10:35 a.m.
My Thoughts Exactly *NM*	Bones153	2/17/11 10:43 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	Kermit	2/17/11 10:53 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	General Battuta	2/17/11 10:59 a.m.
ugh pardon typoes *NM*	General Battuta	2/17/11 10:59 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	Kermit	2/17/11 11:50 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	General Battuta	2/17/11 11:55 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	Kermit	2/17/11 11:59 a.m.
I think someone's too smart for their own good.	The Loot	2/17/11 2:44 p.m.
Re: I think someone's too smart for their own good	Kermit	2/17/11 4:31 p.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	343winks.	2/17/11 7:36 p.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	Kermit	2/17/11 11:02 p.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	General Battuta	2/18/11 12:22 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	Kermit	2/18/11 1:22 a.m.
Re: Here is my brilliant rebuttal	General Battuta	2/18/11 8:29 a.m.
^This *NM*	SonofMacPhisto	2/18/11 3:17 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Anton P. Nym (aka Steve)	2/17/11 10:46 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	Azo 'Galvat	2/17/11 11:07 a.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	ZackDark	2/17/11 5:16 p.m.
Re: Worst line of the series, period.	343winks.	2/17/11 7:11 p.m.
"To War" would like to have a word with you. *NM*	Bones153	2/17/11 8:01 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Moorpheusl9	2/17/11 8:17 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Archilen	2/17/11 8:48 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Bry	2/17/11 9:35 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 10:19 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Leviathan	2/17/11 10:46 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Azo 'Galvat	2/17/11 11:09 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Quirel	2/17/11 11:22 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	thebruce0	2/17/11 11:29 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Metalingus627	2/17/11 1:51 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Bry	2/17/11 10:48 a.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	NsU Soldier	2/17/11 12:03 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Archilen	2/17/11 12:05 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Bry	2/17/11 12:20 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	NsU Soldier	2/17/11 12:41 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Azo 'Galvat	2/17/11 1:01 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	Moorpheusl9	2/17/11 1:26 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 1:43 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	scarab	2/17/11 1:47 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	General Battuta	2/17/11 2:28 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 2:36 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	General Battuta	2/17/11 3:14 p.m.
Re: "To War" would like to have a word with you.	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 3:18 p.m.
In a way, yes	7he grunt w/a plasma pistol	2/17/11 3:37 p.m.
Miranda wasn't thinking at all!	The BS Police	2/17/11 1:43 p.m.
Women drivers....	bluerunner	2/17/11 1:54 p.m.
Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!	Bry	2/17/11 2:22 p.m.
I'll tell you what doesn't make sense	General Battuta	2/17/11 2:30 p.m.
And man, poor Johnson!	General Battuta	2/17/11 2:34 p.m.
I came back to life for this?! *NM*	Moorpheusl9	2/17/11 2:37 p.m.
He's not dead but don't ask... *NM*	scarab	2/17/11 2:42 p.m.
I can't divulge classified information...	Quirel	2/17/11 5:35 p.m.
Re: I can't divulge classified information...	scarab	2/17/11 7:01 p.m.
Awesome Analysis	Sparkypinball	2/18/11 3:35 a.m.
Oh thank you :-)	scarab	2/18/11 4:47 a.m.
Re: Oh thank you :-)	topleybird	2/18/11 8:58 a.m.
Re: Oh thank you :-)	scarab	2/18/11 11:16 a.m.
Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!	343winks.	2/17/11 7:45 p.m.
Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!	The BS Police	2/17/11 7:47 p.m.
Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!	NsU Soldier	2/17/11 9:31 p.m.
Re: Miranda wasn't thinking at all!	SonofMacPhisto	2/17/11 11:08 p.m.
Re: BEST line of the series, probably.	Narcogen	2/17/11 10:23 p.m.
Boy, this is fun!	Kermit	2/17/11 11:13 p.m.
er, backwards^ *NM*	Kermit	2/17/11 11:18 p.m.
Fun, this is boy? *NM*	Narcogen	2/18/11 12:47 a.m.
Ok but...	MartytheElder	2/18/11 12:52 a.m.
Re: Ok but...	The Loot	2/18/11 12:56 a.m.
Re: Ok but...	Kermit	2/18/11 1:16 a.m.
Re: Ok but...	Joe Duplessie (SNIPE 316)	2/18/11 8:46 a.m.
Re: Ok but...	SonofMacPhisto	2/18/11 3:21 p.m.
Re: Ok but...	Kermit	2/18/11 4:31 p.m.
Re: Ok but...	Narcogen	2/18/11 1:52 a.m.
E Dorian?!	Hyokin	2/18/11 9:26 a.m.
Re: E Dorian?!	Kermit	2/18/11 4:38 p.m.
Re: Ok but...	SonofMacPhisto	2/18/11 3:13 p.m.
Re: Ok but...	Hawaiian Pig	2/18/11 4:25 p.m.