subtle and implicit criticism or praise in writing
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
a subtle, implicit style of writing where praise or blame is conveyed indirectly
literaryOriginates from the tradition of Confucius compiling the "Spring and Autumn Annals", where a single word was believed to carry moral judgment. Now refers to any writing style that implies critique or approval without explicit statement. Used in literary criticism, history writing, and journalism.
Zhè这
piān篇
wén文
zhāng章
kàn看
sì似
kè客
guān观
，
shí实
zé则
shǐ使
yòng用
le了
Chūn春
qiū秋
bǐ笔
fǎ法
，
àn暗
hán含
le了
duì对
shí时
shì事
de的
pī批
píng评
。
This article appears objective, but actually employs the Spring and Autumn style, subtly implying criticism of current affairs.
Píng评
lùn论
jiā家
chēng称
zàn赞
tā他
shēn深
dé得
Chūn春
qiū秋
bǐ笔
fǎ法
zhī之
miào妙
，
fěng讽
cì刺
dé得
rù入
mù木
sān三
fēn分
què却
bù不
zhuó着
hén痕
jì迹
。
Critics praised him for mastering the Spring and Autumn style, satirizing with sharp precision yet leaving no obvious trace.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zài在
shǐ史
shū书
zhōng中
，
zhè这
zhǒng种
Chūn春
qiū秋
bǐ笔
fǎ法
hěn很
cháng常
jiàn见
，
zuò作
zhě者
de的
guān观
diǎn点
yǐn隐
cáng藏
zài在
xù叙
shù述
de的
xì细
jié节
lǐ里
。
In historical texts, this Spring and Autumn style is common, where the author's viewpoint is hidden within the details of the narrative.