Tautology, or repeating a thought that has just been stated.
Verbosity or Prolixity is the fault in sentence-making caused by using needless words.
Don’t begin a sentence with—and, but, also, so, then, next, however, after this, of course, in consequence, as a matter of fact.
The Paragraph.—A Paragraph is a division in composition treating only one part of the subject. A paragraph must conform to the same rules that should govern the whole composition; that is, it must show unity, massing, and coherence.
Unity demands that all the thoughts in a sentence, in a paragraph, or in the whole theme shall cluster about one main idea.
Massing demands that the important thoughts shall be placed in prominent places.
Coherence demands that thoughts shall be closely connected.
The length of paragraphs is not to be regulated absolutely: the subject-matter to be treated, the appearance of the page, and the comfort of the reader must all be considered. In a dialogue a new paragraph is begun with each change of speaker.
The Sentence.—Rhetorically, sentences may be classified as periodic, loose, and balanced.
A Periodic sentence is one that holds the thought in suspense until the end. Example: In all his long life, from the time when, as a twelve-year-old boy, he was roaming in the fields and fishing the streams, to the days of his manhood, when he was upholding the honor of his state in the Senate, he showed the same simple, democratic nature.