Jenn Barrett

“It is an old observation that the best writers sometimes disregard the rules of rhetoric. When they do so, however, the reader will usually find in the sentence some compensating merit, attained at the cost of the violation. Unless he is certain of doing as well, he will probably do best to follow the rules. After he has learned, by their guidance, to write plain English adequate for everyday uses, let him look, for the secrets of style, to the study of the masters of literature.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements Of Style

“The writer who has a definite meaning to express will not take refuge in such vagueness.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style

“Flammable. An oddity, chiefly useful in saving lives. The common word meaning "combustible" is inflammable. But some people are thrown off by the in- and think inflammable means "not combustible." For this reason, trucks carrying gasoline or explosives are now marked FLAMMABLE. Unless you are operating such a truck and hence are concerned with the safety of children and illiterates, use inflammable.”
― E.B. White, The Elements of Style

“ Prestigious. Often an adjective of last resort. It's in the dictionary, but that doesn't mean you have to us it.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style