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Flashcards in Elementary principles of composition Deck (11)
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1
Q

Choose a suitable design and hold to it

A

A basic structure underlies every kind of writing

2
Q

Make the paragraph the unit of composition

A

The paragrapgh is a convient unit; it serves all form of literary work.

As a rule begin each paragrapgh with either a aentence that suggests the topic or with a sentence that helps the transition.

3
Q

Use the active voice

A

The active voice is usually more direct and vigorous than the passive:

(active) I shall always remember my first visit to Boston vs (passive) My first visit to Boston will alwasys be remembered by me

4
Q

Put statements in positive form

A

Make definitive assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitiant , noncommital language. Us ethe word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion

5
Q

Use definitive, specific, concrete language

A

Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract

6
Q

Omit needless words

A

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragrapgh no unncessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unneccesdssary parts.

7
Q

Avoid a succession of loose sentences

A

This rule refr to a a particular type: those consiting of two clauses, the second introduced by a conjunction or a relative.

8
Q

Express coordinate ideas in similar forms

A

This principle, that of parallel construction, requires that expressions similar in ontent and function be outwardly similar.

9
Q

Keep related words together

A

The position of the words in asentence is the principal way of showing their relationship. Confusion and ambiguity result when words a badly placed.

10
Q

In summaries, keep to one tense

A

In summarising the action of a drama, use the preent tense. In summarising a poem, story or novel, also use the present, though you may use the past if it seems more natural to do so.

11
Q

Place the emphatic words of sentence at the end

A

The proper place in the sentenc for the word or group of words that the writer desires to make prominent is usually at the end