Elements of Style

Principles of Composition

12. Choose a suitable design and hold to it. In some cases, the best design is no design.

But in most cases, planning must be a deliberate prelude to writing.

Introduction, body, conclusion 3 paragraph essay; 5 paragraph essay Variations Academic writing

13. Make the paragraph the unit of composition. Length of paragraphs

One sentence O.K., but avoid as a general rule. Composition structure: Chinese vs. English

Topic sentences For unity, eliminate sentences unrelated to the

topic. See compare-contrast writing example.

Transitions between paragraphs See college student essay example.

14. Use the active voice.

Active voice is generally stronger and therefore preferable.

Use passive voice when you have a specific point to make by doing so.

In general, avoid passive voice.

15. Put statements in positive form. Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is

dissatisfied with being told only what is not; the reader wishes to be told what is. not portray as admirable -> disagreeable not important -> trifling

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.

16. Use definite, specific, concrete language. Definite & specific -> details

It’s not that every detail is given… but that all the significant details are given.

Concrete -> examples of abstract concepts In exposition and argument, even when dealing

with general principles, the writer must provide specific applications.

17. Omit needless words.

See example of first paragraph in this section.

Be wary of certain common expressions Just because they are commonly used doesn’t necessarily

mean they are good.

Rules 14 & 15 (active voice; positive form)

Step-by-step presentation -> consolidation Coordination vs. subordination (rule 18) Sentence-combining exercises

18. Avoid a succession of loose sentences. Overuse of coordination.

Use a variety of sentence-combining strategies.

See summary of sentence problems.

19. Express coordinate ideas in similar form. Parallel construction, or “parallelism” The Beatitudes Varying form is not always the best method Articles and prepositions used with items in a

series Correlative expressions => same

grammatical construction

20. Keep related words together. Subject and main verb of a sentence – try not

to separate by a phrase or clause if it can be moved to the beginning

Relative pronoun should immediately follow its antecedent

Modifiers should come, if possible, next to the words they modify (“misplaced modifiers”)

21. In summaries, keep to one tense. Summaries usually in the present tense. Stories are usually told in the past tense. Most important is not to mix tenses.

Be careful not to summarize too much. A discussion supported by evidence, not a summary with occasional comment. A fine balance.

22. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end. Usually, the end is the best position to

emphasize something. The beginning is also good for anything other

than the subject of the sentence. You can emphasize the subject by placing it

at the end. Words of a sentence, sentences of a

paragraph, paragraphs of a composition – place the emphatic elements at the end.

Principles of composition review12. Choose a suitable design and hold to it.13. Make the paragraph the unit of composition.14. Use the active voice.15. Put statements in positive form.16. Use definite, specific, concrete language17. Omit needless words.18. Avoid a succession of loose sentences.[19. Express coordinate ideas in similar form.]20. Keep related words together.21. In summaries, keep to one tense.22. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

Elements of Style

An Approach to Style

Introduction

According to E.B. White, is it easy to define “style”? Why or why not?

Is The Elements of Style a rule book? Explain.

What do all writers reveal when they write? Is style something that is a part of one’s

writing or added to one’s writing?

Style reminders (1)

1. Place yourself in the background.

2. Write in a way that comes naturally.

3. Work from a suitable design.

4. Write with nouns and verbs.

Style reminders (2)

5. Revise and rewrite.6. Do not overwrite.7. Do not overstate.8. Avoid the use of qualifiers.9. Do not affect a breezy manner.10. Use orthodox spelling.11. Do not explain too much.12. Do not construct awkward adverbs.13. Make sure the reader knows who is speaking.

Style reminders (3)

14. Avoid fancy words.

15. Do not use dialect unless your ear is good.

16. Be clear.

17. Do not inject opinion.

18. Use figures of speech sparingly.

19. Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity.

20. Avoid foreign languages.

21. Prefer the standard to the offbeat.

Conclusion

“Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.”

No one can write decently who is distrustful of the reader’s intelligence, or whose attitude is patronizing.

Your concern for the reader must be pure. Ready for exposure to the elements – like the

cow. Afterword by Charles Osgood