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Archiver > TMG > 2001-05 > 0989456264


From: "Darrell A. Martin" <>
Subject: RE: [TMG] ibid and op cit
Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 20:35:56 -0500
References: <3AF96E53.BC266B2B@datasys.net>
In-Reply-To: <NCBBIGMOGLNOAMBJFIJLIEBOCEAA.martyr@charter.net>


At 09:05 PM 5/9/01 -0400, Marty Ryerson wrote:
>[snip]
>And *my* patron saint of style, E.B. White, said, "Omit needless words" (or
>was he quoting Strunk?). <g>
>
>Marty

Hi, Marty:

One of *my* favorite books is "ShrinkLits" by Maurice Sagoff. The *Preface*
to the book, of all things, is:

"Omit needless words!"
Said Strunk to White.
"You're right,"
Said White,
"That's nice
Advice.
But Strunk,
You're drunk
With words --
Two-thirds
Of those
You chose
For that
Fiat
Would fill
The bill!

Would not
The thought
-- The core --
Be more
Succinct
If shrinked
(Or shrunk)?"

Said Strunk:
"Good grief!
I'm brief
(I thought)
P'raps not ...
Dear me!
Let's see ...
Okay!
Just say
'Write tight!'
No fat
in that!"

"Quite right!"
Said White,
"Er -- I mean 'Quite!'
Or, simply, 'Right!' "


Darrell A. Martin
a native Vermonter currently in exile in Addison, Illinois


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