Elements of Style: Classic Edition (2018)

The three essentials of effective writing in the English language are: purity, perspicuity, and precision.

Perspicuity denotes clear expression of thoughts conveyed in unequivocal language, so there is no misunderstanding of the thought or idea that the writer wishes to express. Ambiguous words, words of double meaning, and words that might be construed in a sense different from that intended should be avoided. Perspicuity requires a style that is clear and concise.

Precision requires concise and exact expression, free from redundancy–a style that is clear and simple enough so that the reader can immediately comprehend the meaning of the writer's words.

—Never use a long word where a short one will do. —If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. —Never use the passive where you can use the active. —Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or jargon if you can think of an everyday English equivalent to use instead. —A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?

a parenthetic expression is preceded by a conjunction, write the first comma before the conjunction, not after it. ☺ He saw us coming, and unaware that we had learned of his treachery, greeted us with a smile