(See related pages)
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| 1. Style in writing consists largely of word choices and arrangement. |
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| 2. Writers choose their words based on their subject, their attitude toward it, and their sense of what the audience wants or needs to know. |
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| 3. General and abstract words are necessary for framing larger ideas, particularly in thesis and topic sentences, but specific and concrete terms are essential to develop the more general sentences. |
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| 4. Writing concisely requires eliminating words that serve little purpose in a sentence. Sentences, paragraphs, and essays may be concise and still long. |
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| 5. We can improve concision by controlling these elements:
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| 6. Writers vary their tone based on how they feel about their topic and how they regard their audience. |
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| 7. Multisyllable words can easily be overused. Generally, rely on the more common word: numerous = many; terminate = end; edifice = house. |
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| 8. Eliminate slang from relatively formal writing and use colloquial expressions judiciously: bummed = depressed; psyched up = excited; kid = child. |
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| 9. The connotation of words often affects tone: child = innocence, happiness, freedom. |
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| 10. Avoid biased language, including sexual bias, in writing: all men = everyone. |
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| 11. Contractions should be used sparingly in relatively formal writing. |
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| 12. Figures of speech can enrich writing, helping in concision, color and emphasis. |
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| 13. Avoid cliches and worn expressions: sent chills up my spine. |