Strunk and White: Elements of Style — Notes Flashcards

Flashcards covering Strunk and White's Elements of Style rules I–V, plus notes on form, misused words, and style approach.

What is the rule for forming the possessive singular of nouns?

Add ’s.

In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, what should you do with commas?

Place a comma after each term except the last.

How should you handle parenthetic expressions?

Enclose them between commas.

Where should you place a comma when a conjunction introduces an independent clause?

Before the conjunction that introduces the second independent clause.

What should you avoid when joining independent clauses?

Do not join independent clauses with a comma (avoid comma splices).

What does Strunk say about breaking sentences in two?

Do not break sentences in two.

When is a colon used in a sentence?

After an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation.

What is a dash used for in writing?

To set off an abrupt break or interruption and to announce a long appositive or summary.

What determines the number of the verb?

The number (singular or plural) of the subject.

What should you observe with pronouns?

Use the proper case of pronouns (e.g., I vs. me; he vs. him).

A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to what?

The grammatical subject.

What is the first principle of composition regarding design?

Choose a suitable design and hold to it.

What should be the unit of composition?

The paragraph.

Which voice should you use in writing?

The active voice.

How should statements be expressed?

Put statements in positive form.

What kind of language should you use?

Definite, specific, concrete language.

What should you omit in writing?

Needless words.

What sentence structure should be avoided?

A succession of loose sentences.

How should coordinate ideas be expressed?

In similar form (parallel structure).

What should you do with related words?

Keep related words together.

In summaries, what tense should be kept to?

One tense.

Where should the emphatic words of a sentence be placed?

At the end.

What topics are covered under A Few Matters of Form?

Colloquialisms, exclamations, headings, hyphens, margins, numerals, parentheses, quotations, references, syllabication, and titles.

Which section covers Words and Expressions Commonly Misused?

Section IV.

What is the first guideline in An Approach to Style?

Place yourself in the background.

What does guideline 2 say about writing style?

Write in a way that comes naturally.

What is guideline 3 in An Approach to Style?

Work from a suitable design.

What does guideline 4 emphasize when writing?

Write with nouns and verbs.

What does guideline 5 advise?

Revise and rewrite.

What does guideline 6 advise against?

Do not overwrite.

What does guideline 7 advise?

Do not overstate.

What should you avoid regarding qualifiers?

Avoid the use of qualifiers.

What tone should you avoid in writing?

Do not affect a breezy manner.

What spelling should you use?

orthodox spelling.

Should you explain too much?

Do not explain too much.

What should you avoid constructing with adverbs?

Awkward adverbs.

What should you ensure about who is speaking?

Make sure the reader knows who is speaking.

What should you avoid regarding vocabulary?

Avoid fancy words.

Under what condition is dialect acceptable?

Do not use dialect unless your ear is good.

What is the guidance on clarity?

Be clear.

Should you inject opinion into your writing?

Do not inject opinion.

How should figures of speech be used?

Use figures of speech sparingly.

What should you avoid at the cost of clarity?

Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity.

What is the stance on foreign languages in writing?

Avoid foreign languages.

Which style is preferred, the standard or the offbeat?

Prefer the standard to the offbeat.