看笑話學英語之- 寫作須知（2）

Rules for Better Writing-2

以下的這些英文寫作語法要點都是實實在在的。不過作者用很幽默的手法 - 每一個要點的寫法都正好犯了要點所指的錯誤。 我喜歡這種辦法， 因為這要比幹巴巴的要點更容易讓人記住， 何況還兼帶著會心一笑。各位可以自己看看句中的錯誤。我給有些加了標誌和注釋

 20. The passive voice is to be ignored.
-Avoid passive voice. They sound uncertain.
在學術文章中被動語氣用得多些。 但是一般的敘述，被動語顯著“被動“， 一種沒有底氣的感覺。

21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary.  Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
-Eliminate commas that are not necessary.
寫長句會讓人讀到喘不過氣來， 所以加逗號是給人喘氣的。 可加多了， 便隻顧了喘氣忘了句子。

 22. Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
-Never use a big word when a common one would be sufficient.
這一條千真萬確。大詞濫用隻會顯得淺薄或者賣弄， 或者無知也不一定

23. Kill all exclamation points!!!
-Avoid using exclamation points.
感歎號是兒童的象征。成年人在寫作時大呼小叫會被人當兒童對待

 24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
-Use words correctly, regardless how others use them.

25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth shaking ideas.
-Understatement is usually a better way to put forth bright ideas.
當然謙虛是美德。 不知當今的美國文化這一條是否還有出路。 不過謙虛多不會錯

26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
-Use the apostrophe in its proper place and omit it when it is not needed.
apostrophe is the sign '. 
 
27. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
-Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated that you should say explain in your own words.
我們中文的寫作很講究引用。 所以寫英文時需慎重。

28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it correctly.
-Keep in mind to resist hyperbole because many people can not use it correctly.
hyperbole讀做hyper-bou-lee, 指的是說許多的假大空，沒有實質。 像是文革的文章。 美國商業中這種假大空也不少見

29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.
-Puns are for children, not grown readers.
Puns是指‘play on words’, 對於creative writing 挺好。 但是essay 中， no.

30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
-Do your best to avoid colloquialism.
俗語用於正式文章中顯得沒學問

31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
-Usually a mixed metaphor will cause confusion, you should avoid to use it even if it sounds good.
中文寫作長於比喻描寫。 在英文essay 寫作中， 再美的比喻也不好用

32. Who needs rhetorical questions?
-Rhetorical questions are unnecessary in writing.
寫作中反問句給人一種居高臨下，故弄玄虛的感覺。

33. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
-Exaggeration is much worse than understatement.
吹牛皮得有個限度