A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
The surest way to arouse and hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definitive, and concrete. The greatest writers – Homer, Dante, Shakespeare – are effective largely because they deal in particulars and report the details that matter. Their words call up pictures.
If you use a colloquialism or a slang word or phrase, simply use it; do not draw attention to it by enclosing it in quotation marks. To do so is to put on airs, as though you were inviting the reader to join you in a select society of those who know better.
To air one’s views gratuitously, is to imply that the demand for them is brisk.
Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.
If you don’t know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!
To acquire style, begin by affecting none.
A drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
Instead of announcing what you are about to tell is interesting, make it so.
Rich, ornate prose is hard to digest, generally unwholesome, and sometimes nauseating.
It is worse to be irresolute than to be wrong.
The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.
Never call a stomach a tummy without good reason.
Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is a common occurrence in all writing, and among the best writers.
None are so fallible as those who are sure they’re right.
The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity.
Do not, therefore, say “I feel nauseous,” unless you are sure you have that effect on others.
Opinions scattered indiscriminately about leave the mark of egotism.
Vigorous writing is concise.
A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.