Revising Your Prose For Power And Punch Pdf -

Keep this guide beside you. Use the checklist. Read aloud. And remember: — William Strunk Jr. Now go revise with power and punch. End of guide. For personal use. Last updated: 2025. If you'd like, I can also reformat this into actual PDF layout instructions (margins, font choices, heading styles) so you can export it cleanly. Just let me know.

Delete every -ly word. Then see if the sentence loses meaning. If yes, replace the verb. 2.4 Hunt Down These Empty Phrases Cut these automatically: revising your prose for power and punch pdf

| Weak | Punchy | |------|--------| | She ran quickly. | She sprinted. | | “No,” he said angrily. | “No,” he snapped. | | He spoke softly. | He murmured. | Keep this guide beside you

| Weak | Punchy | |------|--------| | At the end of the long road, a house stood. | A house stood at the end of the long road. | | After much deliberation, the jury reached a verdict. | The jury reached a verdict after much deliberation. | The last few words of a sentence resonate most. End on a strong, concrete word—not a preposition or weak adjective. And remember: — William Strunk Jr

This guide provides a systematic revision process. Follow it to transform limp, wordy sentences into crisp, forceful ones. 1.1 The Energy Principle Strong verb + specific noun = power. Weak verb + vague noun + adverb = fluff. 1.2 The Economy Principle Cut every word that does not earn its place. If a sentence works without a word, delete it. 1.3 The Rhythm Principle Vary sentence length. Short sentences punch. Long sentences flow. Use both. PART 2: THE SURGICAL CUT – ELIMINATE WEAKNESS 2.1 Kill the “Zombie Nouns” (Nominalizations) Turn abstract nouns back into verbs.