【正文】 ould entirely discard the passive voice, which is frequently convenient and sometimes necessary.The dramatists of the Restoration are little esteemed today.Modern readers have little esteem for the dramatists of the restoration.The first would be the preferred form in a paragraph on the dramatists of the Restoration, the second I a paragraph on the tastes of modern readers. The need of making a particular word the subject of the sentence will often determine which choice is to be used. The habitual use of the active voice, however, makes for forcible writing. This is true not only in narrative concerned principally with action but in writing of any kind. Many a tame sentence of description or exposition can be made lively and emphatic by substituting a transitive in the active voice for some such perfunctory expression as there is or could be heard. There were a great number of dead leaves lying on the ground. Dead leaves covered the ground. At dawn the crowing of a rooster could be heard. The cock’s crow came with dawn. The reason he left college was that his health became impaired. Failing health pelled him to leave college. It was not long before he was very sorry that he had said what he had. He soon repented his words. Note, in the examples above, that when a sentence is made stronger, it usually bees shorter. Thus, brevity is a byproduct of vigor.8. Put statements in positive formMake definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, nonmittal language. Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion.He was not very often on time. He usually came late.He did not think that studying Latin was a sensible way to use one’s time.He thought the study of Latin a waste of time.The two examples show the weakness inherent in the word not. Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not。 he wishes to be told what is. Hence, as a rule, it is better to express even a negative in positive form. not honest dishonest not important trifling did not remember forget did not pay attention to ignored did not have much confidence in distrustedPlacing negative and positive in opposition makes for a stronger structure. Not charity, but simple justice. Not that I love Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Ask not what your country can do for youask what you can do for your country.Statements qualified with unnecessary auxiliaries or conditionals sound irresolute. If you would let us know the time of your arrival, we would be happy to arrange your transportation from the airport.If you will let us know the time of your arrival, we shall be happy to arrange your transportation from the airport.The applicant can make a good impression by being neat and punctual.The applicant will make a good impression if he is neat and punctual.Keats may be ranked among those romantic poets who died young.Keats was one of those romantic poets who died young. If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority. Save the auxiliaries would, should, could, may, might, and can for situations involving real uncertainty.9. Use definite, specific, concrete languagePrefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract. A period of unfavorable weather set in. It rained every day for a week. He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his wellearned reward. He grinned as he pocketed the coin.10. Omit needless wordsVigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. Many expressions in mon use violate this principle. the question as to whether whether (the question whether) there is no doubt but that no doubt used for fuel purpose used for fuel he is a man who he in a hasty manner hastily this is a subject that this subject His story is a strange one. His story is strange. the reason why is that because owing to the fact that because the fact that he had not succeeded his failure the fact that I had arrived my arrival A mon way to fall into wordiness is to present a single plex idea, step by step, in a series of sentences that might to advantage be bined into one.Macbeth was very ambitious. This led him to wish to bee King of Scotland. The witches told him that this wish of his would e true. The king of Scotland at this time was Duncan. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth murdered Duncan. He was thus enabled to succeed Duncan as king. (51 words)Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth achieved his ambition and realized the prediction of the witches by murdering Duncan and being King of Scotland in his place. (26 words)11. Express coordinate ideas in similar formThe unskilled writer often violates this principle, from a mistaken belief that he should constantly vary the form of his expressions. When repeating a statement to emphasize it, the writer may need to vary its from, but apart from this he should follow the principles of parallel construction.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. By this principle, an article or a preposition applying to all the members of a series must either be used only before the first term or else be repeated before each term. the French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese the French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese in spring, summer, or in winter In spring, summer, or winter (in spring, in summer, or in winter) Correlative expressions (both, and。 not, but。 no