#3. Reading The Elements of Style - Day 7 (Final Day!)

I think it is great to have seven-day projects, because you can produce or finish something in a week, don't get bored, and begin another exciting project for the next week!
Maybe someday I'll do a project for a longer period of time, but for now I'm pretty content with it :)

This is my final day of studying Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. The book was very helpful!


Chapter IV. A Few Matters of Form

Headings


Numerals: do not spell out dates or other serial numbers, but write them in figures or in Roman notation.
   - Example. August 9, 1918       Chapter XII      Rule 3

Parentheses: punctuation outside of the marks of parenthesis!

Quotations


References: abbreviate titles that occur frequently.
   - Example. After the killing of Polonius, Halmet is placed under guard (IV. ii. 14).

Titles: use italics! - Example. The Iliad; the Odyssey; A Tale of Two Cities; (but omit A or The when you place the possessive before them:) Dickens's Tale of Two Cities.








Chapter V. Words and Expressions Commonly Misused

(Not necessarily bad English, but better be replaced)

All right = "Agreed" or "Go ahead." In other uses better avoided.

As good or better than: correct this type of expression by rearranging the sentence.
   - Example. My opinion is as good or better than his. 
              --> My opinion is as good as his, or better (if not better).
As to whether (gosh I use this a lot!): Whether is sufficient. (wow!)

Bid: bid-bade. Takes the infinitive without to.


Case: not often necessary.
   - Example: In many cases, the rooms were poorly ventilated. 
              --> Many of the rooms were poorly ventilated. 
   - Example: It has rarely been the case that any mistake has been made.
              --> Few mistakes have been made.

Certainly: certainly and very are often used indiscriminately. Avoid mannerism. Also applies to nature.

Character: often simply redundant. Example. Acts of a hostile character --> Hostile acts (neat!)

Claim, vb.: better be used "claimed to be..." than "claimed that.." Not a substitute for declare, maintain, or charge.


Compare: (Yes, I hoped it will come up! So confusing)
   - compare to: point out or imply resemblances, between objects regarded as essentially of different order.
   - compare with: mainly to point out differences, between objects regarded as essentially of the same order.
   - Example. Life has been compared to a pilgrimage, to a drama, to a battle.
                    Congress may be compared with the British Parliament. 
                    Paris has been compared to ancient Athens; it may be compared with modern London.

Clever: overused. Best restricted to ingenuity displayed in small matters.

Consider: NOT followed by as when it means, "believe to be." (Really?!)
   - Example. I consider him thoroughly competent.
   - Compare. The lecturer considered Cromwell first as soldier and second as administrator.
      --> in this case, "considered" means "examined" or "discussed."

Dependable: a needless substitute for reliable, trustworthy.

Due to: incorrectly used for through, because of, or owing to. Example. He lost the first game, due to carelessness.
In correct use related as predicate or as modifier to a particular noun. Example. This invention is due to Edison. / Losses due to preventable fires. 
Actually, I didn't get the meaning of this, so I looked up my bookshelf, and it said:
Usage Note: Due to has been widely used for many years as a compound preposition like owing to, but some critics have insisted that the adjectival status of due must be retained. According to this view, it is incorrect to say The concert was canceled due to the rain, as opposed to the acceptable The cancellation of the concert was due to the rain, where due continues to function as an adjective modifying cancellation.
Excerpted from The American Heritage(r) Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition (c) 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.
Ehh.... okay....? Still confused, but moving on to the next one:

Etc.: Not to be used of persons. Equivalent to and the rest, and so forth, and hence not to be used if one of these would be insufficient.

Factor: A hackney! Replace it with something more direct and idiomatic.
   - Example. Heavy artillery is becoming an increasingly important factor in deciding battles. 
              --> Heavy artillery is playing a larger and larger part in deciding battles. 

Feature: A hackneyed word like factor.

However: (Yes! here it comes!)
In the meaning nevertheless, NOT to come first in its sentence or clause.
   - Example. The roads were almost impassable. However, we at last succeeded in reaching camp. 
              --> The roads were almost impassable. At last, however, we succeeded in reaching camp.
When however comes first, it means in whatever way or to whatever extent.
   - Example. However discouraging the prospect, he never lost heart.
Oh now I get it. :)

Kind of/Sort of: NOT to be used as a substitute for rather. Restrict it to its literal sense.
   - Example. Amber is a kind of fossil resin. / I dislike that kind of notoriety.

Phase: Means a stage of transition or development: "the phases of the moon;" "the last phase."
Not to be used for aspect or topic (Ohhh..).
   - Example. Another phase of the subject --> Another point (another question)

Possess: Not to be used as a mere substitute for have or own.
   - Example. He possessed great courage. --> He had great courage (was very brave).
                    He was the fortunate possessor of --> He owned

State: Not to be used as a mere substitute for say, remark. Restrict it to the sense of express fully or clearly, as, "He refused to state his objections."

Viewpoint: Write point of view, but do not misuse this, as many do, for view or opinion.

While: Avoid the indiscriminate use of this word for and, but, and although. Best replaced by a semicolon.
   - Example. The office and salesrooms are on the ground floor, while the rest of the building is devoted to manufacturing. --> The office and salesrooms are on the ground floor; the rest of the building is devoted to manufacturing. 
But it is okay to be used as an equivalent of although when there is no ambiguity or absurdity in the sentence. Example. While I admire his energy, I wish it were employed in a better cause.

Worthwhile: Overworked as a term of vague approval and (with not) of disapproval. Strictly applicable only to actions: "Is it worthwhile to telegraph?"
   - Example. His books are not worthwhile. --> His books are not worth reading (not worth one's while to read; do not repay reading).
Don't use it before a noun: "a worthwhile story."





Chapter VI. Words Often Misspelled
privilege, sacrilegious, parallel, playwright :)


I think I need to go over this many times till I get used to them.
Anyway, THE END!! HORRAY!! What shall I do for the next project?!

#3. Reading The Elements of Style - Day 6

I have almost finished this book! Yay!

Today's study notes:

Rule 16. Keep related words together.

The position of the words in a sentence is the principal means of showing their relationship. The writer must therefore, so far as possible, bring together the words, and groups of words, that are related in thought, and keep apart those which are not so related.

The subject of a sentence and the principal verb should not, as a rule, be separated by a phrase or clause that can be transferred to the beginning. (except when the order is interrupted by a relative clause or by an expression in apposition, or deliberately to create a suspense)

Wordsworth, in the fifth book of The Excursion, gives a minute description of this church. 

--> In the fifth book of The Excursion, Wordsworth gives a minute description of this church.

He wrote three articles about his adventures in Spain, which were published in Harper's Magazine. 

--> He published in Harper's Magazine three articles about his adventures in Spain.

Modifiers should come, if possible next to the word they modify. If several expressions modify the same word, they should be so arranged that no wrong relation is suggested.

All the members were not present. --> Not all the members were present. 

He only found two mistakes. --> He found only two mistakes.

Rule 17. In summaries, keep to one tense.

Rule 18. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

The proper place for the word, or group of words, which the writer desires to make most prominent is usually the end of the sentence. (or the beginning)

Humanity has hardly advanced in fortitude since that time, though it has advanced in many other ways. -->
Humanity, since that time, has advanced in many other ways, but it has hardly advanced in fortitude.

#3. Reading The Elements of Style - Day 5

Today's lessons were very helpful. I think they will dramatically improve my writing. But of course just studying the rules does not automatically bring changes.... ;P (Practice!) Well, here are my study notes.


Rule 13. Omit needless words.

the question as to whether --> whether (the question whether)
he is a man who --> he
in a hasty manner --> hastily

owing to the fact that (I use this phrase a lot!!) --> since (because) --- Oh. Revelation.
in spite of the fact that --> though (although)
call your attention to the fact that --> remind you (notify you)
the fact that he had not succeeded --> his failure 

His brother, who is a member of the same firm --> His brother, a member of the same firm
Trafalgar, which was Nelson's last battle --> Trafalgar, Nelson's last battle



Rule 14. Avoid a succession of loose sentences


Rule 15. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form

Expressions of similar content and function should be outwardly similar. The likeness of form enables the reader to recognize more readily the likeness of content and function.


Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method, while now the laboratory method is employed. --> Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method; now it is taught by the laboratory method.


It was both a long ceremony and very tedious. --> The ceremony was both long and tedious.
My objections are, first, the injustice of the measure; second, that it is unconstitutional. --> My objections are, first, that the measure is unjust; second, that it is unconstitutional.

#3. Reading The Elements of Style - Day 4

Yay! Weekend! I was so busy during the week doing assignments that I am really glad that my classes are over for the week. I hope I can sleep a lot, finally...

Well, today's study notes:


Rule 10. As a rule, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence; end it in conformity with the beginning.

Ending with a digression, or with an unimportant detail, is particularly to be avoided.


Rule 11. Use the active voice.

Oh yes. I have some trouble with using the active voice.... I need a lot of practice..

Example. My first visit to Boston will always be remembered by me.
--> I shall always remember my first visit to Boston. (more direct, bold, and concise)

Example. The reason that he left college was that his health became impaired.
--> Failing health compelled him to leave college.

As a rule, avoid making one passive depend directly upon another.

Example. Gold was not allowed to be exported.
--> It was forbidden to export gold (The export of gold was prohibited).

Example. Mobilization of the army was rapidly carried out. (the verb has no function beyond that of completing the sentence)
--> The army was rapidly mobilized.


Rule 12. Put statements in positive form.

Example. He was not very often on time. --> He usually came late.
Example. He did not think that studying Latin was much use. --> He thought the study of Latin useless.

Honestly, I am not sure about this rule. I mean, it is good to avoid "tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language," but I think there is a difference between "did not think ... was much use" and "useless," and also between "not important" and "trifling."
I think using positive forms sometimes fail to capture the subtlety of the situation..
But anyway, I should pay attention to the choice of words so that I don't end of being so verbose and hesitating.

Example. Did not remember --> forgot
Example. Did not pay any attention to --> ignored






I'm done for today! X-) Let there be no snow tomorrow!!

#3. Reading The Elements of Style - Day 3

Today's study notes:


Rule 7. A participial phase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject.


Example 1. Walking slowly down the road, he saw a woman accompanied by two children.
--> He saw a woman, accompanied by two children, walking slowly down the road.


Example 2. Without a friend to counsel him, the temptation proved irresistible. 
-->  Without a friend to counsel him, he found the irresistible.

If you don't follow this rule your sentence will sometimes look ridiculous. But I often do that! :/



Rule 8. Divide words at line-ends, in accordance with their formation and pronunciation.


A. Divide the word according to its formation: know-ledge (not knowl-edge), de-scribe (not des-cribe. WHAT?? I've been writing like that... X/)

B. Divide "on the vowel": edi-ble, ordi-nary, espe-cial, presi-dent

C. Divide between double letters, unless they come at the end of the simple form of the word: Cincin-nati, refer-ring, but tell-ing.



Rule 9. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic.
Yep, my professors emphasize this.

#3. Reading the Elements of Style - Day 2

Today I studied about punctuation. Because I frequently confuse semicolons and commas, today's exercise was pretty helpful. :)

So, here are my study notes today. 

Rule 4. Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause.

Example 1. The early records of the city have disappeared, and the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed.

Example 2. The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.

Problem: The second clause seem to be an afterthought. Also, and is very unspecific and only indicates a relation between two clauses.

--> 1. As the early records of the city have disappeared, the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. 

OR: Owing to the disappearance of the..., the story of its...

--> 2. Although the situation is perilous, there is still one chance of escape.

OR: In this perilous situation, there is still...

Note: A writer does not need to make sentences too uniformly compact and periodic. Loose sentences   gives an informal air and a certain relief to the reader.

Rule 5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma.

If two or more clauses, grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction, are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon.

Example 1. Stevenson's romances are entertaining; they are full of exciting adventures.

Example 2. It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.

You can also write two sentences.

--> 1. Stevenson's romances are entertaining. They are full of exciting adventures.

But if the conjunction is inserted, the proper mark is a comma.

--> 1. Stevenson's romances are entertaining, for they are full of exciting adventures.

If the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides, so, then, therefore, or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required.

Example 3. I had never been in the place before; so I had difficulty in finding my way about.

But it is best to avoid using so and replace it with as.

--> 3. As I had never been in the place before, I had difficulty in finding my way about.

Rule 6. Do not break sentences in two.

Example 1. I met them on a cruise several years ago. Coming home from Liverpool to New York.

--> replace the first period with a comma.

Note: it is okay to make an emphatic word or expression serve the purpose of a sentence.

Example 2. Again and again he called out. No reply.

#3. Reading The Elements of Style - Day 1

For my third seven-day project, I chose to read William Strunk & E. B. White's The Elements of Style.
Stephen King recommends this book in his On Writing.
And it is also very short and concise! I can study three chapters a day and will take only about five to ten minutes to do that. Since I am getting busy with the schoolwork, I think it is not a bad idea to choose a project that is not so time-consuming. :)

I wish I can improve my English a bit this way. :P

You can read the 1999 edition here: http://www.bartleby.com/141/
(Apparently there are many editions since it was first published in1919.. I'm using 2011 Kindle edition.)

For now, I decided to jot down the points I find confusing or notable.


Achilles' heel --> could be replaced by: the heel of Achilles
Moses' laws --> could be replaced by: the laws of Moses

In 1769, when Napoleon was born, Corsica had but recently been acquired by France.
--> includes two statements that could be made independently:
Napoleon was born in 1769. At that time Corsica had but recently been acquired by France.

Nether Stowey, where Coleridge wrote The Rime of the Ancient mariner, is a few miles from Bridgewater.
--> Coleridge wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner at Nether Stowey. Nether Stowey is only a few miles from Bridgewater.


I tend to make my sentences long and include more than one statement per sentence...
I need more practice (actually, I could try to edit what I just wrote here), but..... well, enough for one day. :)