Rules for Better Writing-2
以下的这些英文写作语法要点都是实实在在的。不过作者用很幽默的手法 - 每一个要点的写法都正好犯了要点所指的错误。 我喜欢这种办法， 因为这要比干巴巴的要点更容易让人记住， 何况还兼带着会心一笑。各位可以自己看看句中的错误。我给有些加了标志和注释
20. The passive voice is to be ignored.
-Avoid passive voice. They sound uncertain.
在学术文章中被动语气用得多些。 但是一般的叙述，被动语显着“被动“， 一种没有底气的感觉。
21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
-Eliminate commas that are not necessary.
写长句会让人读到喘不过气来， 所以加逗号是给人喘气的。 可加多了， 便只顾了喘气忘了句子。
22. Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice.
-Never use a big word when a common one would be sufficient.
这一条千真万确。大词滥用只会显得浅薄或者卖弄， 或者无知也不一定
23. Kill all exclamation points!!!
-Avoid using exclamation points.
感叹号是儿童的象征。成年人在写作时大呼小叫会被人当儿童对待
24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.
-Use words correctly, regardless how others use them.
25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth shaking ideas.
-Understatement is usually a better way to put forth bright ideas.
当然谦虚是美德。 不知当今的美国文化这一条是否还有出路。 不过谦虚多不会错
26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
-Use the apostrophe in its proper place and omit it when it is not needed.
apostrophe is the sign '.
27. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
-Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated that you should say explain in your own words.
我们中文的写作很讲究引用。 所以写英文时需慎重。
28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it correctly.
-Keep in mind to resist hyperbole because many people can not use it correctly.
hyperbole读做hyper-bou-lee, 指的是说许多的假大空，没有实质。 像是文革的文章。 美国商业中这种假大空也不少见
29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.
-Puns are for children, not grown readers.
Puns是指‘play on words’, 对于creative writing 挺好。 但是essay 中， no.
30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.
-Do your best to avoid colloquialism.
俗语用于正式文章中显得没学问
31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
-Usually a mixed metaphor will cause confusion, you should avoid to use it even if it sounds good.
中文写作长于比喻描写。 在英文essay 写作中， 再美的比喻也不好用
32. Who needs rhetorical questions?
-Rhetorical questions are unnecessary in writing.
写作中反问句给人一种居高临下，故弄玄虚的感觉。
33. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
-Exaggeration is much worse than understatement.
吹牛皮得有个限度
