There are many forms of written English, or composition—from a simple letter to the most elaborate treatise—but all are made up of the same elements, namely: words, sentences and paragraphs. It is essential, therefore, that these elements be thoroughly mastered at the outset. Beyond this comes the matter of style, the essentials of which may be summed up in four words: Accuracy, Clearness, Strength and Grace.
Accuracy and Clearness are requisite in all kinds of writing to insure the faithful presentation of thought.
Strength and Grace are more especially applicable to the higher branches of prose composition and to poetry.
Grammatical Connections.—No expression can form part of a good composition unless it be constructed in accordance with correct grammar. Every sentence is inaccurate which gives wrong forms of the parts of speech, or violates the rules of syntax. The most common errors are of two kinds:
(1) Errors in the use of single words or forms.
(2) False concords, that is, wrong genders, numbers, cases and tenses. (See [Right and Wrong Use of Words].)
RULES RELATING TO STYLE
| GOOD STYLE | POOR STYLE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity prescribes the use of | - | Correct forms and concords. | - | Wrong forms. Solecisms. | ||
| Classic or good English words. | - | Barbarisms. | ||||
| Proper words, i.e., words fit for the occasion. | - | Improprieties. | ||||
| Perspicuity prescribes | - | Simplicity. | - | Roundabout, inflated or pedantic words or phrases. | ||
| Brevity. | - | Tautology. | ||||
| Pleonasm. | ||||||
| Verbosity. | ||||||
| Precision. | - | Ambiguity or Obscurity. | ||||
| a. In words. | ||||||
| b. In sentences from bad arrangement. | ||||||
Choice and Use of Words.—Good usage—the usage of the best writers and speakers—sanctions only words that are in reputable, national, and present usage.