This tool is one of the toughest because it requires you to be cognizant of every word you use in a sentence. It also brings to mind one of the best pieces of advice from Strunk & White's Elements of Style, "Every word counts."
If you can master just these two tools, you'll find that what happens between the beginning and end of a sentence falls into place so much more easily. I have to admit that Tool 4 is tough and is probably one that I should pay more attention to in my own writing.
The problem with writing an article about Clark's tools is knowing where to stop. Each seems more brilliant than the last. Consider Tool #17, "The Number of Elements." Sounds dull? Go read it. Clark explores the power of the number of elements in a sentence demonstrating why writing can be magic.
Clark explains relatively simple issues such as the weakness of adverbs, the power of strong verbs and the active vs. passive tense, but he also branches off into esoteric realms such as understanding when repeating a word is a tool of power or simple laziness, or knowing how to move up and down "the ladder of abstraction." The latter tool is a philosophical tract explaining why some writing is clear, powerful, and elegant while other can best be called babbling.
I'd continue, but I'm going back to the site to get smarter and become a better writer.
Article comments
1 - Disgusted
With errors like this:
It also brings to mind one of the best pieces of advice from Strunk & Whites Elements of Style, "Every word counts."
I suggest you go re-read those tools. There are several errors in this piece, and why, pray tell, would one begin the article with random italics?
2 - Chelsea Snyder
I for one enjoy random italics.
3 - mschannon
Dear Disgusted,
My goodness, what a rash and nasty sort art thou. Hast thou forgotten to take one's pill's today?
First of all, my good man, it's "errors such as this" not "like." The misuse of the word "like" shows,I'm afraid to say, a rather poor level of education. And, other than the lack of of the apostrophe in White's, I don't see any error. I fully admit that is a dreadful, inexcusable lack of editorial oversight.
Chelsea, my dear, you are sweet about random italics. I too find them amusing, but I fail to understand the use of "random" as an adjective in describing the first word of the article. I do think, sir--or madam, you meant something else.
I must confess, I haven't a fucking clue why Writing is italiized.
In Decaf Veritas
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
You misspelled Poynter. It's spelled with an "i."
Sheesh.
5 - Scott Butki
Matthew: You're kidding, right? It is Poynter in this case.
6 - mschannon
Matthew's dylexic. His wit is also so dry it floats away before anyone can figure it out.
Methinks, he was making a pun. Pointer--Tools for writing?
Or, he was just drunk. It used to happen to me before I found...
In Decaf Veritas
7 - Snarkattack
Why do people joke about taking and not taking their meds regularly? *pouts* Given the pain it causes, I don't see what's so amusing about it, sigh.
Taking them regularly is overrated: I do so and am still blotto, to make a writing-related pun...
8 - mschannon
Snark, Good grief, never meant to insult. Well, I meant to insult Disgusted, but taking pills is just your body's way of saying, "something's broken, fix it."
In Decaf Veritas
9 - -E
Congrats, this article was picked for one of this week's Ed Picks. Keep up the good work.
10 - Snarkattack
No Mark, I know you mean no harm, I was outwardly musing over the phrase and its usage in everyday communication. In the meantime, I humbly await the fixing that the damn meds are supposed to do!
11 - mschannon
Snark--you and me both!