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The Joy of Mastering Clichés in English Iranian-born commentator Roya Hakakian remembers the daunting goal she set for herself -- becoming a writer in English. Although nervous about her command of our language, Hakakian signed up for a poetry class with beat generation poet Allen Ginsberg at Brooklyn College. Hakakian was delighted when Ginsberg trashed her first writing sample as riddled with "clichés" and "overused adjectives." She was thrilled to have mastered the trite phrase.

Opinion

The Joy of Mastering Clichés in English

Heard on All Things Considered

Roya Hakakian

The Joy of Mastering Clichés in English

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Iranian-born commentator Roya Hakakian remembers the daunting goal she set for herself — becoming a writer in English. Although nervous about her command of our language, Hakakian signed up for a poetry class with beat generation poet Allen Ginsberg at Brooklyn College. Hakakian was delighted when Ginsberg trashed her first writing sample as riddled with "clichés" and "overused adjectives." She was thrilled to have mastered the trite phrase.