The Intimidating Professor Has A Sense of Humor

The contents of a handout given to us by my grad class prof, which I share now for the good of bloggers everywhere:

Professor Wharton's personal prejudices about writing

Bad writing:

sentences beginning with a demonstrative pronoun (They have nothing yet to demonstrate.)
Example: This was, in fact, an unbelievably interesting idea. [What was?]

interesting
Example: This was, in fact, an unbelievably interesting idea. [To you? Why? Who cares? "Interesting" is only appropriate when talking to an artist whose work you do not like.]

hyperbolic words or phrases
Example: This was, in fact, an unbelievably interesting idea. [Very few things in the world are "unbelievable." The same is true for incredible. These terms are sophomoric. They should be avoided even by freshpersons.]

"in fact", "clearly", and the like
Example: This was, in fact, an unbelievably interesting idea. [No it isn't. Such phrases usually appear where the author is particularly uncertain of the argument.]

a "to be" verb followed by a preposition
Example: The building is of a classical style. [This is just bad writing. I want to thank Professor K. P. Bland for this proscription.]

qualifying words attached to the unqualifiable
Example: The building is very (almost, quite, particularly, etc.) unique. [It is or it isn't. The same is true of the original, the singular, and the pregnant.]

qualifying words that take back what is stated
Example: The building was rather incoherent. [It is or it isn't. With such terms you display your lack conviction {sic} in the validity of your own observations. Avoid words also like slightly, somewhat, etc.]

anthropomorphizing
Example: The building feels good. [How do you know? Did it laugh?]

copyright Annabel Wharton, 2003, and please god let this not be considered plagiarism.