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Elements of Style
12 years ago
General
I was forwarded this by a writer friend the other day, and if you care about good writing it's a good read:
http://chronicle.com/article/50-Yea.....-Grammar/25497
The writer is a pretty important person on the subject, too, not just some internet crank. I agree with him wholeheartedly; the greatest failing of writing instruction in the US is that instead of actually teaching rules we teach shortcuts and stylizations that will only occasionally be right.
Incidentally, if you have a hard time with grammar and want to learn better, grab a copy of the Scott Foresman Handbook. It will teach you the real rules in a fairly simple manner. I know grammar can be really hard to wrap one's head around, especially when it's so buried in obscure lexicon, but if you want to write well it is essential to understand.
http://chronicle.com/article/50-Yea.....-Grammar/25497
The writer is a pretty important person on the subject, too, not just some internet crank. I agree with him wholeheartedly; the greatest failing of writing instruction in the US is that instead of actually teaching rules we teach shortcuts and stylizations that will only occasionally be right.
Incidentally, if you have a hard time with grammar and want to learn better, grab a copy of the Scott Foresman Handbook. It will teach you the real rules in a fairly simple manner. I know grammar can be really hard to wrap one's head around, especially when it's so buried in obscure lexicon, but if you want to write well it is essential to understand.
