User:Wronkiew
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Thoughts on Language and Presentation
- The word actually in general usage almost always means absolutely nothing. In those cases in which it adds meaning to the sentence, the sentence can usually be reworked to eliminate it, while improving the readability of the sentence.
- Readers find it difficult to read a sentence with more then two commas. Sentences with too many commas can generally be split with ease.
- In many articles the strings " - " and "--" stand in for the em dash "—", a typographical feature that Wikipedia allows. You can enter it by typing —.
- Subjects of sentences should ideally have been introduced earlier in the article. In many cases an unintroduced subject indicates the need for an additional sentence. For example, this is what not to write:
[subject1] googled [subject2]. [subject3] also googled [subject2].
instead, write something like this:
[subject1] googled [subject2]. [subject2] was also googled by [subject3].
- The verbs use, are/is, and have add less to a sentence than more active verbs. Replacing use with utilize does not improve a sentence. This example replaces had and used with more active verbs:
He had a screwdriver so he used it on the bolt.
He carried a screwdriver so he pulled it out and tightened the bolt.
Feel free to knock any of these points on my talk page.
