Posts Tagged with "the-elements-of-style"

Reference #62: The Elements of Style

You can break the rules while writing, but should only do so if the output has some compensating merit.Read more →

Reference #63: The Elements of Style

A semi-colon has two benefits over both a period and a colon.Read more →

Reference #64: The Elements of Style

A common pattern in narrative writing is to open a paragraph by using the subject to indicate the direction that paragraph will take. An example is as such: "He picked up the heavy lamp from the table and began to explore.Read more →

Reference #65: The Elements of Style

Avoid non-committal language in writing; prefer to use words in their positive form rather than using "not". Readers want to be told what is, not what is not.Read more →

Reference #66: The Elements of Style

Don't qualify your sentences with unnecessary auxiliaries or conditionals. That is, strive to omit "would", "should", "could", "may", "might", and "can". Your writing will lack authority if each sentence is couched in doubt.Read more →

Reference #67: The Elements of Style

Be specific, definite, and concrete in your writing. Prefer these qualities over the general, vague, and abstract. You do not need to provide every detail, as that is impossible; what is important, however, is that the significant details are given.Read more →

Reference #68: The Elements of Style

Omit needless words; make every word tell. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, and a paragraph no unnecessary sentences. This is not to say that all sentences must be short, but rather that each word serves a relevant purpose.Read more →

Reference #69: The Elements of Style

Avoid repetitive structures in your writing, such as the overuse of loose sentences. These are sentences with two clauses where the latter introduced by a conjunction (such as "and", "but", "if") or relative (such as "who", "where", "that", "when") — such as this sentence.Read more →

Reference #70: The Elements of Style

Place emphatic words of a sentence — those to be made most prominent — at its end. The beginning of a sentence can also be used for emphasis when occupied by an element other than the subject.Read more →

Reference #71: The Elements of Style

"Hopefully" once meant "with hope". But it is now widely used to mean "I hope", and "it is to be hoped". This leads to ambiguity when used and so should be avoided.Read more →

Reference #72: The Elements of Style

"Interesting" is an unconvincing word which should not be used as a means of introduction. The same is true with "funny".Read more →

Reference #73: The Elements of Style

Avoid creating verbs. This is often done through a pending "-ise" to a noun, forming unnecessary verb such as "containerise" and "finalise".Read more →

Reference #74: The Elements of Style

A word may be in the dictionary, but that doesn't mean you have to use it.Read more →

Reference #75: The Elements of Style

"That" is a restrictive pronoun. "Which" is a non-restrictive pronoun.Read more →

Reference #76: The Elements of Style

All the writers reveal something of themselves in how they use language. Hence there is no infallible guide to good writing, nor a satisfactory explanation of style.Read more →

Reference #77: The Elements of Style

Style is an expression of self, not a place for tricks. Style should be approached through plainness, simplicity, and sincerity.Read more →

Reference #78: The Elements of Style

Write with nouns and verbs, not adjectives and adverbs. A well-chosen noun or verb gives good writing its strength and colour.Read more →

Reference #79: The Elements of Style

Don't overstate, lest you lose the confidence of your readers. They will consider suspect everything that has preceded and that follows the overstatement.Read more →

Reference #80: The Elements of Style

Good judgment can overrule good grammar. Your ear should guide your writing.Read more →

Reference #81: The Elements of Style

When you have something to say, make sure you have said it. Be clear. Since writing is communication, clarity is a virtue.Read more →