Abstract and Concrete Language

Abstract or Concrete?

Beginning poets often think that because they are dealing with big ideas, they need top use big sweeping language, abstract language. That's usually a mistake. Abstact language doesn't get big ideas across; it obscures them.

What are Abstrations?

Abstractions are words that represent things that only exist in our heads. The general semanticists initially made the case for concrete language by pointing out that the word is the map, while the real thing is the territory. With abstractions, the territory only exists in our heads. We can't see it, feel it, touch it or smell it. And since all of our heads are different, each of us will see a different thing in your abstraction.

Abstract Language Lacks Precision.

Abstractions, then, don't communicate. If you write "Love is the most wonderful thing in the world," you might have just told me that love is ice cream; that is, if I think ice cream is the most wonderful thing. Another person might see a cold beer. It's too much all over the place to be effective.

Concrete Language is Precise.

Concreteness, on the other hand, is the language of images, sharp details that appeal to the senses. With concrete language, the poet suggests thing that can be tuched, seen, smelled, tasted and overheard.
Instead of writing, "Love is the most wonderful thing...." you might want to get at it, as David Young did, with words like these:
I guess your beauty doesn't
bother you, you wear it easy
and walk across the driveway
so casual and right it makes
my heart weigh twenty pounds.
Young's way gives me a picture I don't get in the first one; he makes the feeling real for me.

Be as Precise as Possible.

It is almost always better to be precise, to write in images that suggest ideas rather than in broad statements. What you imply is much stronger than what you say.
Give me a chance to play, also. By writing the big vague abstract statement, you don't let me into the poem. Using concete image-based language makes me a pareticipant in the poem.
And that's good.

Exercise

Take a commonplace idea, such as trees are majestic, Apples are good for you, or fast cars are fun.
Write a poem about it, using only concrete language. Do not state your idea but let your images suggest it instead.

Second Exercise

Go through some of your earlier work. See where your anguage is too abstract. Revise the poems to make them more precise. See which versions you like better.