The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.

To air one's views gratuitously, is to imply that the demand for them is brisk.

A drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.

Remember, it is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is a common occurrence in all writing, and among the best writers.

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

The surest way to arouse and hold the attention of the reader is by being specific, definitive, and concrete. The greatest writers - Homer, Dante, Shakespeare - are effective largely because they deal in particulars and report the details that matter. Their words call up pictures.

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.