Tag archive: elements of style

You Aren’t Getting It

“18. Use figures of speech sparingly. The simile is a common device and a useful one, but similes coming in rapid fire, one right on top of another, are more distracting than illuminating. Readers need time to catch their… continue reading »

Whoa Whoa Whoa

“7. Do Not Overstate When you overstate, readers will be instantly on guard, and everything that has preceded your overstatement as well as everything that has followed it will be suspect in their minds because they have lost confidence in… continue reading »

I’ve Given Up, STOP!

“8. Use a dash to set off an abrupt break or interruption, and to announce a long appositive or summary.” A dash is a mark of separation, stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than… continue reading »

Structurally Sound

“12. Choose a suitable design and hold to it. A basic structural design underlies every kind of writing. . . Writing, to be effective, must follow closely the thoughts of the writer, but not necessarily in… continue reading »