Fluently Composing Sophisticated Documents or Writing With Style Melissa Noel Lafayette High School

Orwellian Notes Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. -- Gloria Steinem

Never use a long word where a short one will do. Dont expect your reader to accept a piece of writing that you wouldnt accept yourself. -- Donald Ross

If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigor it will give your style. -- Sydney Smith

Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action. -- William Shakespeare

Never use the passive where you can use the active. Active: The partners => broke => the agreement Passive: The agreement <= was broken <= by the partners.

Three Passages A new method for the decomposition of toxic by-products of refinery processes has been discovered by Genco Chemical. Estimates of savings of up to 40% of recovery cost have been made but no details of the process have been released.

Genco Chemical has discovered a new method for the decomposition of toxic by-products of refinery processes. Genco has made estimates of savings of up to 40% of recovery costs but has not yet released any details of the process.

Genco Chemical has discovered a new method to decompose toxic by-products of refinery processes. It has estimated that refineries will save up to 40% of recovery costs but has released no details of the process.

Take Notes Usually, compress what you mean into the fewest words. Dont state what your reader can easily infer. Leave out meaningless modifiers, such as: kind of, really, generally, for all intents and purposes, etc.

Avoid pompous diction if its not appropriate for your purpose, audience, and/or subject. Avoid excessive details. Dont belabor the obvious.

Abstract vs. Concrete Abstract diction – figurative language; diction that can be perceived with one of the five senses Concrete diction – names or describes items in the physical world

Works Consulted Orwell, George. Politics and the English Language. Trimble, John R. Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing. 2 nd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, The indispensable characteristic of a good writer is a style marked by lucidity. -- Ernest Hemingway