Three Style Tips1

prepared by Brooks Lampe

1. Put statements in positive form: Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless,
non-committal language. Resist not as a means of evasion.
He was not very often on time.
He did not think that studying
Latin was a sensible way to
use ones time.

He usually came late.

He thought the study of Latin
was a waste of time.

o As a rule, express even negative statements in positive form.

not honest
did not remember
did not pay attention to

dishonest
forgot
ignored

o Remove unnecessary auxiliaries and conditionals. Save auxiliaries (would,

should, could, may, might, and can) for situations of real uncertainty.
You can make a good
impression by being neat and
punctual.
Keats may be ranked among
those Romantic poets who
died young.

You make a good impression if

you are neat and punctual.
Keats was one of several
Romantic poets who died
young.

o Place negative and positive in opposition for a stronger structure:

It is society that dictates what is wrong and what is right, not the
law.
2. Avoid nominalization. A nominalization is a noun formed from a verb or
adjective. Nominalizations are abstract and usually less clear.
Nominalization
discovery
resistance
complication

Verb
discover
resist
complicate

First and third tips are quoted from The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. The second is based on
Joseph Williamss Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace.

o Nouns ending in -tion, -ment, -ance, etc. are usually abstract.

There is speculation by many analysts about the accuracy of these statistics.

Some citizens have apprehension about the ability of the city to handle
unexpected weather conditions.
o To fix, find the nominalization (abstract noun) and turn into a verb.

Many analysts speculate about the accuracy of these statistics.

Some citizens worry about the citys ability to handle unexpected weather
conditions.
3. Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no
unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences. Every word must serve
a purpose. Many phrases in common use violate this principle.
the question as to whether
there is no doubt but that
he is a man who
in a hasty manner
this is a subject that
the reason why is that

The fact that is especially debilitating. Do, did, does as auxiliaries are
pointless.

in spite of the fact that

call your attention to the fact
that
the fact that he had not
succeeded
Americans do find courage
his ideas did give America a
look at

whether
no doubt (doubtless)
he
hastily
this subject
because

though (although)
remind you
his failure
Americans find courage
his ideas gave America a look at

Who is, which was, and the like are often superfluous.

His brother, who is a member of

the same firm
Trafalgar, which was Nelsons
last battle

His brother, a member of the

same firm
Trafalgar, Nelsons last battle