P A R T
F I V E
Style A sentence or passage doesn't have to contain overt errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation in order to be considered faulty. The other parts of this book deal with relatively straightforward problems: What's the right way to spell a word, should a break take a colon or a semicolon, where should a certain sentence element be positioned in order for it to be unambiguous. This part moves onto less firm ground, looking at issues such as how to avoid clumsy constructions, disorganized paragraphs, insensitive phrasings—in short, that great intangible realm known as style. Some of the considerations addressed in the following sections are mechanical, such as the conventions governing the role of italics and capital letters in titles and headings. On other issues, however, the rules disappear. There is no single "best" style: Aside from the matter of personal tastes, different writing strategies will be appropriate for different genres, goals and audiences. Still, it is undeniable that some writers communicate more clearly, convincingly and compellingly than others. The following discussions include guidelines and suggestions on how to achieve a style that works.
265