WORDS

by Edwin A. AbbottNovember 30th, 2023

Too Long; Didn't Read

Use words in their proper sense. Avoid exaggerations. Avoid useless circumlocution and "fine writing." Be careful in the use of "not … and," "any," "but," "only," "not … or," "that." 4 a. Be careful in the use of ambiguous words, e.g. "certain." Be careful in the use of "he," "it," "they," "these," &c. Report a speech in the First Person, where necessary to avoid ambiguity. 6 a. Use the Third Person where the exact words of the speaker are not intended to be given. 6 b. Omission of "that" in a speech in the Third Person. When you use a Participle implying "when," "while," "though," or "that," show clearly by the context what is implied.

How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition by Edwin Abbott Abbott, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here. WORDS.

WORDS.

Use words in their proper sense.
Avoid exaggerations.
Avoid useless circumlocution and "fine writing."
Be careful in the use of "not … and," "any," "but," "only," "not … or," "that."

4 a. Be careful in the use of ambiguous words, e.g. "certain."

Be careful in the use of "he," "it," "they," "these," &c.
Report a speech in the First Person, where necessary to avoid ambiguity.

6 a. Use the Third Person where the exact words of the speaker are not intended to be given.

6 b. Omission of "that" in a speech in the Third Person.

When you use a Participle implying "when," "while," "though," or "that," show clearly by the context what is implied.
When using the Relative Pronoun, use "who" or "which," if the meaning is "and he" or "and it," "for he" or "for it." In other cases use "that," if euphony allows. Exceptions.

Do not use "and which" for "which."
Equivalents for the Relative: (a) Participle or Adjective; (b) Infinitive; (c) "Whereby," "whereto," &c.; (d) "If a man;" (e) "And he," "and this," &c.; (f) "what;" (g) omission of Relative.

10 a'. Repeat the Antecedent before the Relative, where the non-repetition causes any ambiguity. See 38.

Use particular for general terms. Avoid abstract Nouns.

11 a. Avoid Verbal Nouns where Verbs can be used.

Use particular persons instead of a class.
Use metaphor instead of literal statement.
Do not confuse metaphor.

14 a. Do not mix metaphor with literal statement.

14 b. Do not use poetic metaphor to illustrate a prosaic subject.

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This book is part of the public domain. Edwin Abbott Abbott (2007). How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/22600/pg22600.html

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