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Style guides can’t teach you what not to write. If you can’t see what could be missing, how do you know you’re making any sense? Holding yourself to a standard
by DiscourseFan 1y ago
Style guides can’t teach you what not to write. If you can’t see what could be missing, how do you know you’re making any sense?
Holding yourself to a standard doesn’t mean it’s a meaningful one.
- Spivak 1y agoI just used that as an example because it's free, high quality, a good reference, and goes beyond what you would expect out of a style guide and is closer to a textbook on technical writing. So just replace it with your preferred technical writing manual—although a lot of them tend to call themselves style guides or manuals of style. Either way, it's an avenue of learning to write that ignores, I would say, all the artistic aspects of writing. Inasmuch as you can say anything "isn't an art."
- DiscourseFan 1y agoI believe you are confusing verbosity with artistry, and ability with precision. A good writer knows when to smother their creation.