User:Judicata

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I'm entering some text here primarily so there will be some sort of user page. Like others, my interests vary greatly. My job involves a great deal of writing so grammar, style, and usage interest me (believe it or not). My other interests include law, open-source software, (more technically, free software), rhetoric, philosophy, liberalism, libertarianism and indie rock (whatever that means).

Some writing principles I try to follow:
1. Prefer active voice over passive voice. Sometimes, though, the passive voice is better.
2. Economize words. Don't say something in 50 words when you can say it in 10.
3. Write to communicate - not to show off. Don't use big words or long sentences to show you're smart. You will not sound smart. You will sound like someone trying to sound smart.
4. Make your writing speakable.
5. Don't be afraid to begin a sentence with "and" or "but." Elementary school teacher perpetuate a myth to the contrary, probably to help students form complete sentences. These words are fine at the beginning of a sentence -- just don't overdo it.
6. When you see the word "of," try to remove it. There is usually a better way to word the sentence.

Know the difference between:
"that" and "which" ("which" is NOT a more formal "that");
"your" and "you're"
"their" "there" and "they're"
"its" and "it's"