Brad Philpot - Cambridge University Press

3 Avoid obviously and naturally
Nothing is obvious for the reader, so words such obviously or naturally are
presumptuous. (Notice in the example above that the word obvious has been removed,
making giving the statement more impact.)
Instead of
In a religious world, murder is obviously wrong and life naturally has meaning.
use
In a religious world, murder is wrong and life has meaning.
4 Avoid passive verbs
Avoid passive verb constructions. Active ones engage the reader more.
Instead of
In each story, Macbeth, The Stranger and The Collector, murder is
treated differently.
use
Each story, Macbeth, The Stranger and The Collector, treats murder
differently.
5 Avoid vague language
If you want to be persuasive in your essay, you will have to be clear. This is especially
applicable to quantifiers, or words that indicate an amount.
Instead of
For a large part their contexts and sources of inspiration account for how
they portray this theme differently.
use
Their contexts and sources of inspiration account for how they portray
this theme differently.
6 Use the -ing form
Using subject–verb–object syntax can become very boring for the reader, when the
subjects are always common countable nouns. Instead try creating noun phrases using
gerunds (-ing forms).
Instead of
It would have created a political scandal and cost Shakespeare his head if
he had presented the play this way.
use
Chapter 6 The context of composition
Sample
Presenting the play this way would have created a political scandal and
cost Shakespeare his head.
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