following
suggestions are given to aid in the choice of words:

1. CHOOSE SIMPLE ENGLISH WORDS and avoid what is called "fine writing."
Young writers and newspaper writers are greatly given to this offense
of fine or bombastic writing. Examples:

FINE WRITING SIMPLE STYLE
Was launched into eternity Was hanged
Disastrous conflagration Great fire
Called into requisition the services Sent for the doctor
of the family physician
Was accorded an ovation Was applauded
Palatial mansion Comfortable house
Acute auricular perceptions Sharp ears
A disciple of Izaak Walton A fisherman

2. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GENERAL AND SPECIFIC TERMS. In some cases
general words may be used to advantage, but more often specific
words should be used, since they call to the mind a definite image.
Compare these sentences:

The _high color_ of his face showed his embarrassment.

His _crimson_ face showed his embarrassment.

He was a _large_ man.

He was a _fat_ man.

He was a man of _large frame_.

He was a _tall, heavily proportioned_ man.

He was a man _six feet four inches tall_ and _heavy_ in proportion.

It was an _impressive_ building.

It was a building of _impressive size_.

It was a building of _impressive beauty_.

His _fault_ was robbery.

His _crime_ was robbery.

3. AVOID OVER-STATEMENT OF FACTS. The use of words that are too
strong is a fault especially characteristic of Americans. Examples:

Poor: The concert was _simply exquisite_.

Better: The concert was _very good_.

Poor: She was _wild_ over the mistake.

Better: She was _much annoyed_ by the mistake.

4. AVOID HACKNEYED PHRASES; expressions that have been worked to
death. Examples:

His paternal acres.

The infuriated beast.

The gentle zephyrs of springtime.

Was gathered to his fathers.

The blushing bride was led to the hymeneal altar.

Applauded to the echo.

EXERCISE 83

_For each of the following expressions devise the best simple English
expression that you can:_

1. Individual was precipitated.
2. Tendered him a banquet.
3. At the witching hour of midnight.
4. The devouring element was checked.
5. Piscatorial sport.
6. Pedal extremities.
7. Fraught with tremendous possibilities.
8. Amid the plaudits of the multitude.
9. Caudal extremity.
10. Passed to his long home.
11. Dissected th