Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version Tektronix Network News Daemon (B 2.10.2 based); site tektronix.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!decvax!tektronix!moiram From: moiram@tektronix.UUCP (Moira Mallison ) Newsgroups: net.singles,net.flame Subject: Re: Intelligence? Message-ID: <5476@tektronix.UUCP> Date: Mon, 8-Jul-85 12:37:41 EDT Article-I.D.: tektroni.5476 Posted: Mon Jul 8 12:37:41 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 11-Jul-85 00:27:02 EDT References:<503@unc.UUCP> <541@unc.UUCP> Reply-To: moiram@tektronix.UUCP (Moira Mallison ) Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 22 Xref: watmath net.singles:7690 net.flame:11044 > > How much practice does it take to ask yourself, "What is the single, > central purpose behind this paragraph | section | chapter | subroutine? > How difficult is it to change sentences from passive to active voice > in cases where passive voice is not required? > How much practice is required to write "use" instead of "utilize"? > Or "now" instead of "at this point in time"? > Especially considering that lists of these and other common > verbal atrocities are readily available. > > I admit the difficulty in writing spell-binding or humorous prose. > But almost anyone can learn to write adequately merely by mechanically > following the few simple rules which can be found in Stunk & White's > tiny paperback, "The Elements of Style". > > Frank Silbermann It does take practice for these considerations to come naturally. Sort of like calculus problems :-). Moira Mallison tektronix!moiram