In Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace, Joseph Williams discusses and explains how to write in a clear and concise manner. Williams emphasizes the proper use of subjects, action verbs, voice and tone to show writers how to write with clarity. He begins lesson three focusing on actions, specifically expressing the importance of strategically utilizing subjects and action verbs (29). The clarity of a writer’s work directly affects how readers respond to it (28). Williams emphasizes two fundamental practices, appoint the “main characters’ subjects” and ensure that the subjects express action verbs (29). By doing so, the writer ensures the use of active sentences, rather than passive ones; and also, increases the readability of the sentence. Williams
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Writers seeking clarity in their writing must understand the importance of naming characters as subjects in their writing (47). Williams expresses that by failing to name and clearly identify the characters and subjects of the sentences, writers due a great disservice to the readers and negatively affect the clarity of their writing (47). Clearly identify all simple characters and stay as specific as possible when reconstructing missing characters (50). Per Williams, writers will encounter some instances where they must incorporate abstractions as virtual characters; they can do this by constructing them as subjects of verbs (51). Additionally, while writers must write primarily in active voice, writers must also know when to use passive voice effectively. Williams explains that writers should use passive voice when the writer: does not now the source of the action, wants to focus on a specific character, of if the information appears complex and unfamiliar (55-56). Williams further explains that writers write in passive voice to avoid writing in first person, although a writer’s use of metadiscourse occurs sometimes 57-58). Stylistically, Williams also warns writers to avoid compound noun phrases and instructs writer to use professional, yet understandable language
Writers seeking clarity in their writing must understand the importance of naming characters as subjects in their writing (47). Williams expresses that by failing to name and clearly identify the characters and subjects of the sentences, writers due a great disservice to the readers and negatively affect the clarity of their writing (47). Clearly identify all simple characters and stay as specific as possible when reconstructing missing characters (50). Per Williams, writers will encounter some instances where they must incorporate abstractions as virtual characters; they can do this by constructing them as subjects of verbs (51). Additionally, while writers must write primarily in active voice, writers must also know when to use passive voice effectively. Williams explains that writers should use passive voice when the writer: does not now the source of the action, wants to focus on a specific character, of if the information appears complex and unfamiliar (55-56). Williams further explains that writers write in passive voice to avoid writing in first person, although a writer’s use of metadiscourse occurs sometimes 57-58). Stylistically, Williams also warns writers to avoid compound noun phrases and instructs writer to use professional, yet understandable language