Foreword |
Introduction |
Elementary Rules of Usage / I.: |
Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's / 1.: |
In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last / 2.: |
Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas / 3.: |
Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause / 4.: |
Do not join independent clauses with a comma / 5.: |
Do not break sentences in two / 6.: |
Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation / 7.: |
Use a dash to set off an abrupt break or interruption and to announce a long appositive or summary / 8.: |
The number of the subject determines the number of the verb / 9.: |
Use the proper case of pronoun / 10.: |
A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject / 11.: |
Elementary Principles of Composition / II.: |
Choose a suitable design and hold to it / 12.: |
Make the paragraph the unit of composition / 13.: |
Use the active voice / 14.: |
Put statements in positive form / 15.: |
Use definite, specific, concrete language / 16.: |
Omit needless words / 17.: |
Avoid a succession of loose sentences / 18.: |
Express coordinate ideas in similar form / 19.: |
Keep related words together / 20.: |
In summaries, keep to one tense / 21.: |
Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end / 22.: |
A Few Matters of Form / III.: |
Words and Expressions Commonly Misused / IV.: |
An Approach to Style (With a List of Reminders) / V.: |
Place yourself in the background |
Write in a way that comes naturally |
Work from a suitable design |
Write with nouns and verbs |
Revise and rewrite |
Do not overwrite |
Do not overstate |
Avoid the use of qualifiers |
Do not affect a breezy manner |
Use orthodox spelling |
Do not explain too much |
Do not construct awkward adverbs |
Make sure the reader knows who is speaking |
Avoid fancy words |
Do not use dialect unless your ear is good |
Be clear |
Do not inject opinion |
Use figures of speech sparingly |
Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity |
Avoid foreign languages |
Prefer the standard to the offbeat |
Afterword |
Glossary |
Index |
Foreword |
Introduction |
Elementary Rules of Usage / I.: |
Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's / 1.: |
In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last / 2.: |
Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas / 3.: |