William Strunk, Jr.

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.

If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!

Omit needless words.

A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.

It is worse to be irresolute than to be wrong.

Make definite assertions. Avoid tame, colorless, hesitating, non-committal language.

Vigorous writing is concise.