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ESL forum > Techniques and methods in Language Teaching > Rules for clear writing - not to be taken too seriously!!    

Rules for clear writing - not to be taken too seriously!!



elderberrywine
Germany

Rules for clear writing - not to be taken too seriously!!
 

I just came across this text while I was tidying up my computer, thought some of you might enjoy it...


Rules For Clear Writing

# Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
# Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
# And don �t start a sentence with a conjunction.
# It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
# Avoid clich�s like the plague. (They �re old hat.)
# Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.
# Be more or less specific.
# Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.
# Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
# No sentence fragments.
# Contractions aren �t necessary and shouldn �t be used.
# Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
# Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it �s highly superfluous.
# One should never generalize.
# Comparisons are as bad as clich�s.
# Don �t use no double negatives.
# One-word sentences? Eliminate.
# Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
# The passive voice is to be ignored.
# Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
# Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
# Do not use multiple exclamation points NOR all caps for emphasis!!!
# Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
# Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth shaking ideas.
# Use the apostrophe in it �s proper place and omit it when its not needed.
# Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
# 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.
# Puns are for children, not groan readers.
# Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
# Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
# Who needs rhetorical questions?
# Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
# The passive voice should never be used.
# Do not put statements in the negative form.
# A writer must not shift your point of view.
# Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.
# Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
# If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
# Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.
# Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
# Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.
# Always pick on the correct idiom.
# The adverb always follows the verb.
# Be careful to use the rite homonym.
# And last...
# Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

31 Aug 2010      





zailda
Brazil

 
LOL
We have something similar in Portuguese and it �s really funny.
 
Thanks for the resource, I �ll use it with my higher advanced.
 
Have a nice day.

31 Aug 2010     



stexstme
France

So funny! LOL Thank you : I �m sure I �ll use it too!
Thumbs Up

31 Aug 2010     



ueslteacher
Ukraine

This is great!Thumbs Up Can I use it for a poster for my ss?
Sophia

31 Aug 2010     



colibrita
United Kingdom

It �s great! Very clever. Thanks for sharing!

31 Aug 2010     



elderberrywine
Germany

use it for whatever you like - I didn �t make it up and I have forgotten where I got it from. But I find it quite clever, too.

31 Aug 2010     



pauguzman
Argentina

LOL great!

31 Aug 2010     



Lina Ladybird
Germany

31 Aug 2010     



anitarobi
Croatia

Oh man, this has made my day. Since I �m going back to work soon, and my 2 FCE groups (along with the rest) will be back in my life, this will make a fabulous ppt or wss. thanks so much...
 

31 Aug 2010     



Mietz
Germany

Thanks for making me laugh and also for sharing this great resource!

31 Aug 2010     



baiba
Latvia

Super rules! Thanx!

31 Aug 2010     

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