Economizing on words

July 7, 2011

Good writing is simple and easy to understand. Unnecessary words should be eliminated. If one word can replace four, use it. Look at the following ””wordy”” example: All of a sudden, he ran quickly to the computer. He knew it was absolutely essential to eliminate completely his very unique work which, although extremely excellent, could [...]

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Producing metaphors

July 7, 2011

Producing metaphors Metaphors are also comparisons but they are ”implied” and do not use ”like” or ”as”. We use metaphorical language a great deal in everyday speech. It is language that is not literally true but cannot be classified as a lie as everyone knows what is meant. Look at the following examples: I”m starving. [...]

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STIMULATING YOUR IMAGINATION

July 7, 2011

STIMULATING YOUR IMAGINATION Avoiding cliches Cliches are phrases that are heard over and over again. We all use them and they are often very apt. Of course, they were original when they were said for the first time. Many of their origins have been lost but a number owe their existence to the Bible and [...]

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ELIMINATING JARGON

July 7, 2011

ELIMINATING JARGON Looking at the origin The word ”jargon” is derived from a Middle English word meaning meaningless chatter”. The derivation suggests a very good reason why jargon should be avoided. Anyone who is a member of a group uses jargon that is intelligible only to other members of the same group. Lawyers have their [...]

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Avoiding confusion

July 7, 2011

Avoiding confusion Other words that are often confused are council” and counsel”, compliment” and complement , principle” and principal” and stationery” and stationary”. Council/counsel 1. A council (noun) is an administrative group which has power to make decisions. A councillor (noun) sits on a council (noun). 2. To counsel (verb) someone is to help them [...]

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MAKING USE OF THE SEMICOLON, THE COLON AND THE DASH

July 5, 2011

MAKING USE OF THE SEMICOLON, THE COLON AND THE DASH Using the semicolon The semicolon is a useful punctuation mark although it is not used a great deal. It can be used when you don””””t feel you need a full stop; usually the second statement follows closely on to the first one. Don””””t use a [...]

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USING PREPOSITIONS

July 5, 2011

USING PREPOSITIONS A preposition is a word that ”governs” a noun or pronoun and usually comes before it. It indicates the relation of the noun or pronoun to another word. In the following examples the prepositions are underlined. Notice they are all followed by a noun or pronoun. I knew she was at home. She [...]

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EMPLOYING ADVERBS

July 5, 2011

EMPLOYING ADVERBS Adverbs describe or modify verbs. They are often formed by adding ”. . . ly” to an adjective: She dances beautifully. He hastily wrote the letter. Adverbs can also be used to modify or help other adverbs: The doctor arrived very promptly. ”Very” is an adverb modifying the adverb ”promptly”. They can also [...]

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COLORING YOUR WRITING

July 5, 2011

COLORING YOUR WRITING You now have the basic ”tools” with which to write a variety of sentences. Some types of writing only require the ”basics”. However, other writing needs to be more colorful. You will need to evoke atmosphere, describe vividly and paint a picture with words. Utilizing adjectives Adjectives are words that describe nouns. [...]

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HANDLING PHRASES

July 5, 2011

HANDLING PHRASES A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a finite verb. Leaping off the bus. This is a phrase as ”leaping” is the present participle. There is no subject or tense. Leaping off the bus, Sheila rushed across the road. ”Sheila rushed across the road” is the main clause and [...]

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