| Weak | Punchy | |------|--------| | There is a problem with the plan. | The plan has a problem. | | It was her habit to arrive late. | She habitually arrived late. | | The point is that we need money. | We need money. | 3.1 Start Strong – Front-Load Your Sentences Put the most important word near the beginning.
| 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. revising your prose for power and punch pdf
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. | Weak | Punchy | |------|--------| | There
If a sentence uses make, do, have, give, take + an abstract noun, change the noun into a verb. 2.2 Destroy the Passive Voice (Most of the Time) Passive hides the actor. Active drives the sentence. | She habitually arrived late