HP3000-L Archives

January 2002, Week 2

HP3000-L@RAVEN.UTC.EDU

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Paul Edwards <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Date:
Thu, 10 Jan 2002 08:31:13 -0600
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (55 lines)
I came across some rules to add to our recent discussion on English. :-)

1.  Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects.
2.  Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3.  And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
4.  It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
5.  Avoid cliches like the plague.  (They're old hat)
6.  Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
7.  Be more or less specific.
8.  Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually)
unnecessary.
9.  Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
10.  No sentence fragments.
11.  Contractions aren't necessary and shouldn't be used.
12.  Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
13.  Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary;
it's highly superfluous.
14.  One should NEVER generalize.
15.  Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
16.  Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
17.  One-word sentences?  Eliminate.
18.  Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
19.  The passive voice is to be ignored.
20.  Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary.  Parenthetical
words however should be enclosed in commas.
21.  Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
22.  Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
23.  Understatement is always the absolute best way to put
forth earth-shaking ideas.
24.  Eliminate quotations.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I
hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
25.  If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times:
Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it
correctly.
26.  Puns are for children, not groan readers.
27.  Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
28.  Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
29.  Who needs rhetorical questions?
30.  Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.

And the last one...

31.  Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

***************************************************************
 CDR Paul Edwards USNR Ret.       HP 3000 Certified Consultant
 Paul Edwards & Associates        Phone: (972) 242-6660
 1506 Estates Way                 Fax  : (972) 446-9022
 Carrollton TX 75006              Cel  : (214) 384-8728
 Email: [log in to unmask]          Web  : www.peassoc.com
***************************************************************

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *

ATOM RSS1 RSS2