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Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
He has had several years’ experience and is thoroughly competent.
If two or more clauses grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon. Mary Shelley’s works are entertaining; they are full of engaging ideas. It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark. It is, of course, equally correct to write each of these as two sentences, replacing the semicolons with periods. Mary Shelley’s works are entertaining. They are full of engaging ideas. It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark. If a conjunction is inserted, the proper
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Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides, then, therefore, or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required. I had never been in the place before; besides, it was dark as a tomb.
Use a singular verb form after each, either, everyone, everybody, neither, nobody, someone. Everybody thinks he has a unique sense of humor. Although both clocks strike cheerfully, neither keeps good time.
Writing, to be effective, must follow closely the thoughts of the writer, but not necessarily in the order in which those thoughts occur.
Note, in the examples above, that when a sentence is made stronger, it usually becomes shorter. Thus, brevity is a by-product of vigor.
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language. Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion.
Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is. Hence, as a rule, it is better to express even a negative in positive form.
If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority. Save the auxiliaries would, should, could, may, might, and can for situations involving real uncertainty.
Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method, while now the laboratory method is employed. »»»»» Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method; now it is taught by the laboratory method. The lefthand version gives the impression that the writer is undecided or timid, apparently unable or afraid to choose one form of expression and hold to it. The righthand version shows that the writer has at least made a choice and abided by it.
On Tuesday evening at eight, Major R. E. Joyce will give a lecture in Bailey Hall on “My Experiences in Mesopotamia.” The public is invited. Note, in the last lefthand example, how swiftly meaning departs when words are wrongly juxtaposed.
Mark Twain says, “A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.”
Factor. A hackneyed word; the expressions of which it is a part can usually be replaced by something more direct and idiomatic. Her superior training was the great factor in her winning the match. »»»»» She won the match by being better trained.
However. Avoid starting a sentence with however when the meaning is “nevertheless.” The word usually serves better when not in first position. The roads were almost impassable. However, we at last succeeded in reaching camp. »»»»» The roads were almost impassable. At last, however, we succeeded in reaching camp. When however comes first, it means “in whatever way” or “to whatever extent.” However you advise him, he will probably do as he thinks best. However discouraging the prospect, they never lost heart.
Interesting. An unconvincing word; avoid it as a means of introduction. Instead of announcing that what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so. An interesting story is told of »»»»» (Tell the story without preamble.) In connection with the forthcoming visit of Mr. B. to America, it is interesting to recall that he »»»»» Mr. B., who will soon visit America Also to be avoided in introduction is the word funny. Nothing becomes funny by being labeled so.
Meaningful. A bankrupt adjective. Choose another, or rephrase. His was a meaningful contribution. »»»»» His contribution counted heavily. We are instituting many meaningful changes in the curriculum. »»»»» We are improving the curriculum in many ways.
The word people is best not used with words of number, in place of persons. If of “six people” five went away, how many people would be left? Answer: one people.
Personally. Often unnecessary. Personally, I thought it was a good book. »»»»» I thought it a good book.
I will expresses determination or consent. A swimmer in distress cries, “I shall drown; no one will save me!” A suicide puts it the other way: “I will drown; no one shall save me!”
Thanking you in advance. This sounds as if the writer meant, “It will not be worth my while to write to you again.”
truth. is.... The fact is.... A bad beginning for a sentence. If you feel you are possessed of the truth, or of the fact, simply state it. Do not give it advance billing.
While I admire his energy, I wish it were employed in a better cause. This is entirely correct, as shown by the paraphrase I admire his energy; at the same time, I wish it were employed in a better cause.
Write in a way that draws the reader’s attention to the sense and substance of the writing, rather than to the mood and temper of the author.
Adverbs are easy to build. Take an adjective or a participle, add -ly, and behold! you have an adverb. But you’d probably be better off without it. Do not write tangledly. The word itself is a tangle. Do not even write tiredly. Nobody says tangledly and not many people say tiredly. Words that are not used orally are seldom the ones to put on paper. He climbed tiredly to bed. »»»»» He climbed wearily to bed. The lamp cord lay tangledly beneath her chair. »»»»» The lamp cord lay in tangles beneath her chair.
Avoid the elaborate, the pretentious, the coy, and the cute. Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able. Anglo-Saxon is a livelier tongue than Latin, so use Anglo-Saxon words. In this, as in so many matters pertaining to style, one’s ear must be one’s guide: gut is a lustier noun than intestine, but the two words are not interchangeable, because gut is often inappropriate, being too coarse for the context. Never call a stomach a tummy without good reason.
Years ago, students were warned not to end a sentence with a preposition; time, of course, has softened that rigid decree. Not only is the preposition acceptable at the end, sometimes it is more effective in that spot than anywhere else. “A claw hammer, not an ax, was the tool he murdered her with.” This is preferable to “A claw hammer, not an ax, was the tool with which he murdered her.”
Style takes its final shape more from attitudes of mind than from principles of composition, for, as an elderly practitioner once remarked, “Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.”
