how to write good

so, i have sent the link to my "frequently emailed family and friends" and am feeling encouraged.  thanks for the feedback.  the "bestest sister" has presumably not checked her emails or forgotten her password and "busiest brother" has me on his "to do list".  as kelly would say "no offence but...."

i spent last night looking for "the book" notes and on going through my papers found this bit of trivia you may or may not have seen. 

the simple but often forgotten rules of english:-

1. avoid alliteration. always
2. prepositions are not words to end sentences with
3. avoid cliches like the plague
4. parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary. (what about the - dash -?)
5. it is wrong to ever split an infinitive
6. one should never generalize
7. contractictions aren't necessary
8. elimate quotations.  as ralph emerson once said "i hate quotations. tell me what you know"
9. comparisons are as bad as cliches
10. don't be redundant; don't use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous
11. be more or less specific
12. understatement is always best
13. exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement
14. one word sentences?  eliminate
15. who needs rhetorical questions?

i break most of the rules and you will note that the use of capitals at the beginning of a sentence is not mentioned above (i did not leave it out, promise). writing and emailing my friends in lowercase has just become a habit.  it helps me separate business and pleasure and makes things quicker for me.  i know it irritates a lot of people.  you? 

miss jones, my english teacher at "that school" is not on my mailing list........yet.  she may one day be proud of me!!