In the opening of 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' Hunter S. Thompson shows off his absurd drug collection.
You know what's even more absurd?
His talent at structuring lists.
Here's a breakdown on how to use rhythm and form to make epic list-sentences (no drugs required):
Hunter doesn't just write out a list of items.
He includes quantities, containers, and adjectives to make each item more specific. The syllables change from line to line, creating forward motion.
The sentence has 3 distinct structures. Let's check out each one:
In Structure 1, each item (green) has a quantity (blue) and container (purple).
Notice how the first item has all 1-syllable words, and the following lines get more complex?
The "acid" line introduces an adjective (yellow), and the last line describes the container in detail.
Structure 2 starts with the same [quantity, container, adjective] form, but then lists out (4) 2-syllable items.
While the containers above are literal (bags, pellets, sheets), he uses a metaphor here: "galaxy."
He switches the items from specific drugs to types of drugs.
Structure 3 is similar to 1, but it's more reserved.
The quantities and containers are mostly 1-syllable, he repeats "quart" twice, and only the items (in green) vary in syllables.
He sets a pattern through repetition, and then breaks it in the last line to end the sentence.
Here's the full sentence again.
Read it out loud.
You can intuitively feel how rhythmic it is, and now you analytically understand why it's working, and how to do it yourself.
- List your items
- Get specific
- Vary the syllables
- Break the form