FOREWORD ix (4)
INTRODUCTION xiii
I. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE 1 (14)
1. Form the possessive singular of nouns 1 (1)
by adding 's.
2. In a series of three or more terms with 2 (1)
a single conjunction, use a comma after
each term except the last.
3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between 2 (3)
commas.
4. Place a comma before a conjunction 5 (1)
introducing an independent clause.
5. Do not join independent clauses with a 5 (2)
comma.
6. Do not break sentences in two. 7 (1)
7. Use a colon after an independent clause 7 (2)
to introduce a list of particulars, an
appositive, an amplification, or an
illustrative quotation.
8. Use a dash to set off an abrupt break 9 (1)
or interruption and to announce a long
appositive or summary.
9. The numbe...r of the subject determines 9 (2)
the number of the verb.
10. Use the proper case of pronoun. 11 (2)
11. A participial phrase at the beginning 13 (2)
of a sentence must refer to the grammatical
subject.
II. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION 15 (19)
12. Choose a suitable design and hold to 15 (1)
it.
13. Make the paragraph the unit of 15 (3)
composition.
14. Use the active voice. 18 (1)
15. Put statements in positive form. 19 (2)
16. Use definite, specific, concrete 21 (2)
language.
17. Omit needless words. 23 (2)
18. Avoid a succession of loose sentences. 25 (1)
19. Express coordinate ideas in similar 26 (2)
form.
20. Keep related words together. 28 (3)
21. In summaries, keep to one tense. 31 (1)
22. Place the emphatic words of a sentence 32 (2)
at the end.
III. A FEW MATTERS OF FORM 34 (5)
IV. WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS COMMONLY MISUSED 39 (27)
V. AN APPROACH TO STYLE (With a List of 66 (21)
Reminders)
1. Place yourself in the background. 70 (1)
2. Write in a way that comes naturally. 70 (1)
3. Work from a suitable design. 70 (1)
4. Write with nouns and verbs. 71 (1)
5. Revise and rewrite. 72 (1)
6. Do not overwrite. 72 (1)
7. Do not overstate. 73 (1)
8. Avoid the use of qualifiers. 73 (1)
9. Do not affect a breezy manner. 73 (1)
10. Use orthodox spelling. 74 (1)
11. Do not explain too much. 75 (1)
12. Do not construct awkward adverbs. 75 (1)
13. Make sure the reader knows who is 76 (1)
speaking.
14. Avoid fancy words. 76 (2)
15. Do not use dialect unless your ear is 78 (1)
good.
16. Be clear. 79 (1)
17. Do not inject opinion. 79 (1)
18. Use figures of speech sparingly. 80 (1)
19. Do not take shortcuts at the cost of 80 (1)
clarity.
20. Avoid foreign languages. 81 (1)
21. Prefer the standard to the offbeat. 81 (6)
AFTERWORD 87 (2)
GLOSSARY 89 (8)
INDEX 97