Some Writing Rules – Quotes to Inspire Writers

in Quotes for writers

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Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don’t start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a
great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

~William Safire, “Great Rules of Writing”
Found at the Quote Garden

Write well and often,

Anne

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

jorgekafkazar September 28, 2009 at 11:53 am

Personally, I assiduously eschew sesquipedalian phraseology.
.-= jorgekafkazar´s last blog ..Tenirax, Ch V =-.

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Anne September 28, 2009 at 2:22 pm

of course you do!

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Danielle Buffardi September 27, 2009 at 7:45 am

I agree with all except “don’t use a big word when a small will do”.

I enjoy language and the sounds it makes, therefore, I enjoy experimenting with perhaps longer or unknown words to make articles/stories a little more luscious.

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Kathryn Lang September 26, 2009 at 8:42 am

This is great – and proof positive that all rules should be followed unless they should be broken.
.-= Kathryn Lang´s last blog ..Staying on Task with Freelance Writing =-.

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Anne September 26, 2009 at 8:53 am

Katherine, suspect you’ll enjoy today’s quote.

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Anne September 27, 2009 at 9:12 am

There certainly is a place for longer words… depends on who you’re writing for and why. http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com/2008/11/write-for-your-ideal-reader/

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