20 lines
1.1 KiB
Plaintext
20 lines
1.1 KiB
Plaintext
Rules for Writers
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Remember to never split an infinitive. The passive voice should never
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be used. Do not put statements in the negative form. Verbs have to
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agree with their subjects. Proofread carefully to see if you words
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out. If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal
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of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing. A writer must
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not shift your point of view. And don't start a sentence with a
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conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a
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sentence with.) Don't overuse exclamation marks!! Place pronouns as
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close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more
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words, to their antecedents. Writing carefully, dangling participles
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must be avoided. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a
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linking verb is. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing
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metaphors. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky. Everyone should
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be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their
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writing. Always pick on the correct idiom. The adverb always follows
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the verb. Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; seek
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viable alternatives.
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-- William Safire
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