fowlers' five rules of drafting

a) Prefer the familiar word to the far fetched (familiar words are readily understood). (b) Prefer the concrete word to the abstract (concrete words make meaning more clear and precise). (c) Prefer the single word to the circumlocution (single word gives direct meaning avoiding adverb and adjective). (d) Prefer the short word to the long (short word is easily grasped).

**FOWLERS' FIVE RULES OF DRAFTING** According to Fowler, “anyone who wishes to become a good writer should endeavour, before he allows himself to be tempted by more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous and lucid.” The principle referred to above may be translated into general in the domain of vocabulary as follows: (a) Prefer the familiar word to the far fetched (familiar words are readily understood). (b) Prefer the concrete word to the abstract (concrete words make meaning more clear and precise). (c) Prefer the single word to the circumlocution (single word gives direct meaning avoiding adverb and adjective). (d) Prefer the short word to the long (short word is easily grasped). (e) Prefer the Saxon word to the Roman (use of Roman words may create complications to convey proper sense to an ordinary person to understand). (f) Always prefer active voice to the passive voice in the drafting of documents Thanks