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Mastering Positive Form: Improve Your Writing Style

In this week's Grammar Tip, we focus on the power of positive forms in writing, drawn from Strunk and White's "Elements of Style." Effective writing requires making definite assertions and avoiding vague language. Instead of using negatives such as "not," express ideas positively for clarity and engagement. For example, "He usually came late" is preferred over "He was not very often on time." By eliminating doubt and embracing strength in language, your writing gains authority and impact. Let’s refine our craft by focusing on what is, rather than what isn’t.

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Mastering Positive Form: Improve Your Writing Style

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  1. Grammar Tip of the Week! Week Seven Positive Forms (A Continuation of Active Writing) (from Strunk and White’s Elements of Style)

  2. Put Statements in Positive Form • When you write, you should make definite assertions. • Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, noncommittal language. • Use the word not as a means of denial or in antithesis, never as a means of evasion. • WRONG: He was not very often on time. • CORRECT: He usually came late.

  3. The Problem with “Not” • Consciously or unconsciously, the reader is dissatisfied with being told only what is not; he or she wishes to be told what is. • WRONG: He did not think that studying Latin was a sensible way to use one’s time. • CORRECT: He thought the study of Latin was a waste of time.

  4. Expressing Negatives and Positives • Since the reader wishes to be told what is (and not what isn’t), it is better to express even a negative in a positive form. • Examples: • Not honest  Dishonest • Not important  Trifling • Did not remember  Forgot • Did not pay attention to  Ignored

  5. Negative vs. Positive • Placing negative and positive in opposition makes for a stronger structure. • Not charity, but simple justice. • Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. • Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. • Negative words other than not are usually strong. • Her loveliness I never knew/Until she smiled on me.

  6. Omit Doubt • If your every sentence admits a doubt, your writing will lack authority. • Save words like would, should, could, may, might, and can for situation involving real uncertainty. • WRONG: The applicant can make a good impression by being neat and punctual. • CORRECT: The applicant will make a good impression is he is neat and punctual.

  7. Rewrite • Did not have much confidence in  ________ • The Taming of the Shrew is rather weak in spots. Shakespeare does not portray Katharine as a very admirable character, nor does Bianca remain long in memory as an important character in Shakespeare’s works. • If you would let us know the time of your arrival, we would be happy to arrange your transportation from the airport.

  8. Corrections • CORRECT: Did not have much confidence in = Distrusted • CORRECT: The women in The Taming of the Shrew are unattractive. Katherine is disagreeable, Bianca insignificant. • CORRECT: If you will let us know the time of your arrival, we shall be happy to arrange your transportation from the airport.

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