Elementary principles of composition

Question 1

Choose a suitable design and hold to it

Answer 1

A basic structure underlies every kind of writing

Question 2

Make the paragraph the unit of composition

Answer 2

The paragrapgh is a convient unit; it serves all form of literary work.

As a rule begin each paragrapgh with either a aentence that suggests the topic or with a sentence that helps the transition.

Question 3

Use the active voice

Answer 3

The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive:

(active) I shall always remember my first visit to Boston vs (passive) My first visit to Boston will alwasys be remembered by me

Question 4

Put statements in positive form

Answer 4

Make definitive assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitiant , noncommital language. Us ethe word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion

Question 5

Use definitive, specific, concrete language

Answer 5

Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract

Question 6

Omit needless words

Answer 6

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragrapgh no unncessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unneccesdssary parts.

Question 7

Avoid a succession of loose sentences

Answer 7

This rule refr to a a particular type: those consiting of two clauses, the second introduced by a conjunction or a relative.

Question 8

Express coordinate ideas in similar forms

Answer 8

This principle, that of parallel construction, requires that expressions similar in ontent and function be outwardly similar.

Question 9

Keep related words together

Answer 9

The position of the words in asentence is the principal way of showing their relationship. Confusion and ambiguity result when words a badly placed.

Question 10

In summaries, keep to one tense

Answer 10

In summarising the action of a drama, use the preent tense. In summarising a poem, story or novel, also use the present, though you may use the past if it seems more natural to do so.

Question 11

Place the emphatic words of sentence at the end

Answer 11

The proper place in the sentenc for the word or group of words that the writer desires to make prominent is usually at the end