Zeng Guofan is a master of composition, and many people ask for his articles. Scholars are proud of getting an article from Zeng Guofan, and everyone tries to circulate every article. Why did Zeng Guofan reach such a level?
We all know that Zeng Guofan is not a clever man. Everyone has heard the story that his memory is not as good as that of a thief. That story may be a rumor, but it is not true. However, it is true that Zeng Guofan took the exam three times. Zuo Zongtang once commented on Zeng Guofan and said, "There is nothing to say about character and learning, but in terms of talent, he is not superior." This is enough to show that the young Zeng Guofan may really not be the genius we often say. The reason why he can succeed is the word "Heng". He once said to his son, "It doesn't matter if you study and remember, it's mainly about Heng." What did Zeng Guofan think about composition?
1 "When writing, you should give priority to the meaning, and you should give full expression to your words." This sentence is similar to Du Mu's "What is written is based on meaning, supplemented by qi, and the chapters are used as a defense". The most important thing in a good article is meaning. "Meaning" means thinking and conception. When we judge a good article, we often say that it is clever and clear-cut. The key to whether an article can make readers reach the audience is whether its central idea makes you think and feel.
2 "Planning the layout of an essay is the greatest effort in writing." If you have a good idea, you naturally need to make a layout. If you say that the idea is the skeleton of an article, then the structure is the flesh and blood of an article. The former determines the trend of this article, and the latter determines the appreciation of this article. Zeng Guofan put forward "Eight-character formula" and "Four Elephants Theory". The "Eight-character formula" refers to the time when "masculine, straight, strange and beautiful are the characteristics of ancient Chinese poetry, while Confucianism, remoteness, cleanliness and appropriateness are the characteristics of ancient Chinese poetry." Generally speaking, the style of writing is divided into two categories. "Four Elephants Theory" refers to the different expressions of the above eight characters. "Four elephants, that is, the sun is imposing, and the momentum is divided into spurting and ups and downs; Shaoyang is fun, and there is fun and leisure in fun; Taiyin is the degree of knowledge, and the degree of knowledge is broad and implicit; Less yin is the rhyme; The charm of love has a strong rhyme and a sorrowful rhyme. "
3 He also advocates article revision. He has spread out, and every article has been revised and carefully crafted. Reading your own articles at different times and in different moods naturally makes you feel different. Only by carving and carving repeatedly can you be more perfect.
4 Zeng Guofan has his own views on composition and being an official. He believes that "it is better to have a deep understanding of the composition, and even if the argument is sharp and biased, it is just as well, because it will not hurt anyone, and it will not be expected to receive immediate results. As long as it is justified, it is a theory, and it is a master. Being an official is different. Things are complicated, people's hearts are different, and the officialdom is complex, especially subtle. It is more necessary to be tactful, tortuous, and circuitous. When you do it, you can stop it. Don't be arrogant, just for a moment. " This is probably the reason why many literati are always depressed in officialdom.