28th November 2012 - on Writing Skills

I rarely think in terms of lists.But occasionally a list will strike the imagination. Particularly when it refers to the art of writing, and so it was with a deal of interest that I read the following list which is pretty definitive with regard to things a prospective writer or blogger should attempt.

1. AVOID ALLITERATION ALWAYS
   
2. PREPOSITIONS ARE NOT WORDS TO END SENTENCES WITH
   
3. THE PASSIVE VOICE IS TO BE AVOIDED
   
4. VOID CLICHES LIKE THE PLAGUE - THEY ARE OLD HAT
   
5. IT IS WRONG TO EVER SPLIT AN INFINITIVE
   
6. WRITERS SHOULD NEVER GENERALISE
   
   seven:  BE CONSISTENT
   

     8.   DON'T USE MORE WORDS THAN NECESSARY, IT'S HIGHLY SUPERFLOUS

     9.   BE MORE OR LESS SPECIFIC

    10.  EXAGGERATION IS A BILLION TIMES WORSE THAN UNDERSTATEMENT

Maybe I should take these points on board ....