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