Sunday, June 3, 2012

Omit needless words

Omit needless 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 requires not 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 tell.
WILLIAM STRUNK, JR. and E.B. WHITE
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2 comments:

  1. Eamon O CJune 17, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Ain't that the truth! My all-time favourite style bible, and one I base my trust in when it comes to the rules of writing. They also tell us that language is organic and always evolving. Always! ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Daniel KayeJune 18, 2012 at 1:49 AM

      Well said Eamon, it was you who first told me of this little gem, thank you.

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