Conventions of Composition Rule 219
Conventions of Composition Rule 219
Rule: Get to the point, using clear wording. Avoid the awkward.
Examples:
Awkward: The reason that I am happy is because I have won a scholarship to Georgetown University.
Better: I am happy because I have won a scholarship to Georgetown University.
Awkward: His main purpose that he talks about to Jordan in the past five years is about getting Daisy back.
Better: For the past five years, he has worked to get Daisy back.
Practice revising sentences to eliminate awkward phrasing:
- When I want to buy apples to make pie, which I really like, for dessert, I go to one of the stores that's near my house not the ones that are farther away.
- Some teachers but not most of the students think that all holidays when they get called should be announced in advance.
- I wanted to have a Greek salad with my dinner, which Taavi thought was strange since I was eating sushi.
Resources for further explanation of awkward wording:
Skidmore College's Awkward Sentences
BYUI's Awkward Sentences
Omniglot's 5 Types of Awkward Wording to Avoid