Writing with Style

1. Writing with Style Problems with Wordiness: More is not always better! Source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2. Clichés: Avoid them like the plague! Example: France bit off more than it could chew in Vietnam, and America's intervention was too little, too late. How to correct it: Clichés stand in for more precise descriptions of something. Slow down and write exactly, precisely what you mean. If you get stuck, ask yourself "why? or "how?" Better example: As the French faltered in Vietnam, even American intervention could not save the collapsing regime.

3. Lots of qualifiers are really, basically, mostly not a good idea (very, often, hopefully, practically, basically, really, mostly) Example: Most people usually think that puppies are generally pretty cute. How to correct it: Eliminate some of these qualifiers and you will have a stronger, more direct point. Some qualifiers are necessary, but you should use them carefully and thoughtfully. Better example: Most people think that puppies are cute.

4. Using two words that mean the same thingNot a big, huge deal, but something to minimize and decrease in your writing Example: Adrienne fulfilled all our hopes and dreams when she saved the whole entire planet. How to correct it: Choose the most precise term and delete the extra one. Better example: Adrienne fulfilled all our hopes when she saved the planet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsbOuaFh0Rk

5. Overuse of prepositional phrasesAvoid too many of these in the sentences of your essay on the occasion of your writing prepositions are little words such as: in, over, of, for, at, etc. Example: The reason for the failure of the economic system of the island was the inability of Gilligan in finding adequate resources without incurring expenses at the hands of the headhunters on the other side of the island. How to locate and correct this problem: Circle all of the prepositional phrases in your paper. A few are okay, but too many in a sentence make the reader struggle to find and follow your subject and point. Read the sentence, look away from it, and write or say out loud what you meant when you wrote the sentence. Try asking yourself "Who did what to whom?" Replace the first sentence with your new sentence. Better example: Gilligan hurt the economic system of the island because he couldn't find adequate resources without angering the headhunters.

6. Stock phrases In light of the fact that you can replace them with one or two words you have the ability to avoid wordiness. Examples: The fact that I did not like the aliens affected our working relationship. The aliens must be addressed in a professional manner. How to locate and correct this problem: Locate this problem as you do cliches. Is this just something people say? What do the words actually mean? Correct this problem by looking for a single word that expresses your meaning. Better examples: My dislike of the aliens affected our working relationship. The aliens must be addressed professionally.

7. Write sentences that keep a parallel structure.What is parallel structure? • Be sure you use grammatically equal sentence elements to express two or more matching ideas or items in a series. • Parallel form emphasizes equal importance – much like an equal sign (=)! • Incorrect: The candidate's goals include winning the election, a national health program, and the educational system. • Revised: The candidate's goals include winning the election, enacting a national health program, and improving the educational system.

8. Write sentences that keep a parallel structure.What is parallel structure? • Incorrect: To keep horses at home, the owner must commit a significant amount of time to daily care and knowing how to identify signs of illness or injury in the horse. • Revised: To keep horses at home, the owner must commit a significant amount of time to daily care and know how to identify signs of illness or injury in the horse.

9. Tips for Writing for Clarity: Take your time . . . slow down . . . say things simply. Reread what you have written, preferably out loud. For a first draft, keep sentences clear and simple, and then you can revise and elaborate carefully on the second or third drafts. Ask someone else to read your paper – seek feedback.