Style Basics of style to enhance your writing
*Lessons and selections of text taken from Strunk and White’s Elements of Style.
Contents • • • •
1. Basics of Syntax 2. Simplifying Language - 9 3. Active Verbs - 16 4. When to Use 1st Person - 17
Basics of Syntax Every sentence must have a SUBJECT and a VERB: The Vampire likes to jump. Dick and Jane swing the rope. Sally laughs at the silly vampire. The vampire eats only bugs.
Basics of Syntax If your sentence doesn’t have a subject and a verb, it is called a fragment: Sometimes, especially in the dark. Sometimes Jane is afraid, especially in the dark. Except, not Thursdays. Jane goes every day except Thursdays. Clearly doesn’t want to. Sally clearly doesn’t want to.
Basics of Syntax Some sentences have more than one subject and verb separated by a conjunction (like “and” or “but”) or a semi-colon: The children’s mother is worried and she calls the children home. The children play with the vampire but they don’t want to be his lunch. The vampire is hungry; he built up an appetite by jumping rope.
Syntax + Style Keep Related Words Together:
He noticed a large stain in the rug that was right in the center. He noticed a large stain right in the center of the rug.
Syntax + Style You can call your mother in London to tell her all about George's taking you out to dinner for just two dollars.
For just two dollars you can call your mother in London to tell her all about George's taking you out to dinner.
Syntax + Style Can you rephrase these sentences to make their meaning clear? In the world there are many people, the vampire told the children, who wear capes that drag the ground. Many children bring toys and cookies for snack and show and tell to school.
definite, specific, concrete language Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract. Make pictures with your words.
A period of unfavorable weather set in.
This picture this sentence makes is bland. What sort of weather was it? Why was it unfavorable?
definite, specific, concrete language
It rained every day for a week and we had to walk several miles through the park in the rain.
The picture this sentence makes conveys details by using specific, concrete language.
definite, specific, concrete language
He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his wellearned reward.
We know the boy is pleased, but that is all we know.
definite, specific, concrete language
He grinned as he accepted the coin.
Now we know how he showed the satisfaction, and what the reward was.
Avoid Unnecessary Words 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 does not mean that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word is important. Â
Avoid Unnecessary Words Many common expressions violate this principle: the question as to whether
whether (the question whether)
there is no doubt but that
no doubt (doubtless)
used for fuel purposes
used for fuel
he is a man who
he
in a hasty manner
hastily
this is a subject which
this subject
His story is a strange one.
His story is strange.
too wordy
stronger
Avoid Unnecessary Words How can you eliminate unnecessary words? Dick and Jane are children who are brother and sister and who are both less than six years old. The question as to whether the vampire will suck the children’s blood is a question that is of much interest. Jane left in a shocked way when the Vampire said he was feeling hungry and looked at her with a small kind of smile.
Use Active verbs The Active voice is more direct and vigorous than the passive voice. Compare: The vampire is seen as a playmate by the children.
The children see the vampire as a playmate.
The vampire is seen as a creeper by the children’s mother who is angered by the vampire’s playing with her kids.
The children’s mother sees the vampire as a creeper and is angry that he is playing with her kids.
Notice how the verb changes from “is” to the more specific and direct verb “see.” In the second sentence, the passive phrase “who is angered by” is changed to the active tense:“is angry.”
Use of 1st Person The choice to use 1st person is a style issue. First person is used most commonly for: - narrative personal essays - personal experiences The 1st person is used less commonly in academic arguments, but that does not mean it can’t be. Do not use the 1st person to say “I think” or “I believe” – if you are writing an essay, it is obvious that you think or believe what you say.