Write Concisely

# Writing Clearly and Concisely

## Overview

William Strunk Jr.'s *The Elements of Style* (1918) teaches you to write clearly and cut ruthlessly. Apply these rules to task that requested by user.

## All Rules

### Elementary Rules of Usage (Grammar/Punctuation)

1. Form possessive singular by adding 's
2. Use comma after each term in series except last
3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas
4. Comma before conjunction introducing co-ordinate clause
5. Don't join independent clauses by comma
6. Don't break sentences in two
7. Participial phrase at beginning refers to grammatical subject

### Elementary Principles of Composition

1. One paragraph per topic
2. Begin paragraph with topic sentence
3. **Use active voice**
4. **Put statements in positive form**
5. **Use definite, specific, concrete language**
6. **Omit needless words**
7. Avoid succession of loose sentences
8. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form
9. **Keep related words together**
10. Keep to one tense in summaries
11. **Place emphatic words at end of sentence**

### Section V: Words and Expressions Commonly Misused

Alphabetical reference for usage questions

# The Elements of Style (1918)

*Public domain text by William Strunk Jr.*

## Contents

- [Writing Clearly and Concisely](#writing-clearly-and-concisely)
  - [Overview](#overview)
  - [All Rules](#all-rules)
    - [Elementary Rules of Usage (Grammar/Punctuation)](#elementary-rules-of-usage-grammarpunctuation)