On Writing well - Part I Chapter1~7

Reading note of On Writing Well

Introduction
Anybody who can think clearly can write clearly, about any subject at all. That has always been the central premise of this book.
The essence of writing is rewriting.

Part 1 -- Principles
Chapter 1 The Transaction
The professional writer must extablish a daily schedule and stick to it.

Chapter 2 Simplicity
The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components. Every word that serves no function, every long word that could be a short word, every adverb that carries the same meaning that's already in the verb, every passive construction that leaves the reader unsure of who is doing what -- these are the thousand and one adulterants that weaken the strength of a sentence.
Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident. Very sentences come out right the first time, or even the third time. Remember this in moments of despair. If you find that writing is hard, it's because it is hard.

Chapter 3 Clutter
"Experiencing" is one of the ultimate clutterers.
Beware of the long word that's no better than the short word: "assistance"(help),"numerous"(many),"facilitate"(ease),"individual"(man or woman),"remainder"(rest),"initial"(first),"implement"(do),"sufficient"(enough),"attempt"(try),"referred to as"(called) and hundreds more. Beware of all the slippery new fad words: paradigm and parameter, prioritize and potentialize. the are all weeds that will smother that you write. Don't dialogue with someone yuou can talk to. Don't interface with anybody.

Just as insidious are all the word clusters with which we explain how we propose to go about our explaining: "I might add," "It should be pointed out","It is interesting to note." If you might add, add it. If it should be pointed out, point it out. If it is interesting to note, make it interesting;are we not all stupefied by what follows when someone says,"This will interest you?" Don't inflate what needs no inflating:"with the possible exception of"(except), "due to the fact that"(because), "he totally lacked the ability to"(he couldn't),"until such a time as"(until),"for the purpose of"(for).

Is there anyway to recognize clutter at a glance? I would put brackets around every component in a piece of writing that wasn't doing useful work. Often just one word got bracketed: the unnecessary preposition appended to a verb("order up"), or the adverb that carries the same meaning as the verb("smile happily"), or the adjective that states a known fact("tall skyscraper"). Most first drafts can be cut by 50 percent without losing any information or losing the author's voice.

Simplify, simplify.

Chapter 4 Style
You lose whatever it is that makes you unique. Readers want the person who is talking to them to sound genuine. Therefore a fundamental rule is: be yourself
Writers are obviously at their most natural when they write in the first person: to use "I" and "me" and "we" and "us".
Style is tied to the psyche, and writing has deep psychological roots.
Sell yourself, and your subject will exert its own appeal. Believe in your own identity and your own opinions. Writing is an act of ego, and you might as well admit it. Use its energy to keep yourself going.

Chapter 5 The Audience
You are writing for yourself. Don't try to visualize the great mass audience. There is no such audience -- every reader is a different person. Don't try to guess what sort of thing editors want to publish or what you think the country is in a mood to read. Editors are readers don't know what they want to read until they read it. Besides, they're always looking for something new.
Work hard to master the tools. Simplify, prune and strive for order.
Never say anything in writing that you wouldn't comfortable say in conversation.

Chapter 6 Words
Such considerations of sound and rhythm should be woven through everything you write. If all your sentences move at the same plodding gait, which even you recognize as deadly but don't know how to cure, read them aloud.
Remember that words are the only tools you've got. Learn to use them with originality and care. And also remember: somebody out there is listening.

Chapter 7 Usage
What is good usage? One helpful approach is to try to separate usage from jargon.
Good usage consists of using good words if they already exist to express myself clearly and simply to someone else.