予秋对《The Little, Brown Handbook》的笔记(2)

61 Checklist for editing Clarity: exact words, parallelism, clear modifiers, clear reference of pronouns, complete sentences, sentences separated correctly. Effectiveness: Emphasis of main ideas, smooth and informative transitions, variety in sentence length and structure, appropriate words, concise sentences, consistent appropriate tone. Correctness: spelling, pronoun forms, verb forms (-s, -ed and irregular verbs), verb tenses consistency, agreement between subjects and verbs, (esp. when words come between them or the subject is each everyone or a similar word), agreement between pronoun and antecedents, (esp. when the antecedent contains or or the antecedent is each, everyone, person, or a similar word), sentence fragments, commas, (esp. with comma splices, with and or but, with introductory elements, with nonessential element, or with series.) 109 Openings to avoid_(Ineffective introductions): 1. Don’t reach back too far with vague generalities or truths, such as those beginning “throughout human history..” or “ In today’s world..” You may have needed a warm-up paragraph to start drafting, but your readers can do without it. 2. Don’t start with “the purpose of this essay is…”, “In this essay I will…” or any similar flat announcement of your intention or topic. 3. Don't refer to the title of the essay in the first sentence, e.g., “This is my favourite activity” or “This is a big problem” 4. Don’t start with “According to Webster..” or a similar phrase leading to a dictionary definition. A definition can be an effective springboard to an essay, but this kind of lead-in has become dull with overuse. 5. Don’t apologize for your opinion or for inadequate knowledge with “I am not sure if I am right, but I think..” or a similar line. 111 Closings to avoid: 1. Don’t simply restate your introduction, statement of subject, thesis sentence, and all. Presumably the paragraphs in the body of your essay have contributed something to the opening statements and it’s that something you want to capture in your conclusion. 2. Don’t start of in a new direction, with a subject different from the one your essay has been about. 3. Don’t conclude more than your reasonably can from the evidence you have presented. 4. Don't apologize for your essay or otherwise cast doubt on it. Don't say “even though I am not expert” or “This may not be convincing, but I believe true” or anything similar. Rather, to win your readers’ confidence, display confidence.

427 Ways to achieve conciseness. 1. Make the subject and verb of each sentence identify its actor and action. (avoid nouns made from verbs, use strong verbs, rewrite the passive voice as active), 2. Cut or shorten empty words or phrases (shorter filler phrases, such as by virtue of the fact that, cut all-purpose words, such as area, factor, cut unneeded qualifier, such as in my opinion, for the most part) 3. Cut unnecessary repetition, 4. Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single word, 5. Avoid constructions beginning with there is or it is, 6. Combine sentences, 7. Cut or rewrite jargon.