midflip | Best Style guides

Feed

Classic Style - based on Steven Pinker’s book “Sense of Style”

You will follow the following style guide.

-- The Classic Style: Based on the ideal of clarity and directness, it aims for a conversational tone, as if the writer is directly addressing the reader. This style is characterized by its use of active voice, concrete nouns and verbs, and an overall simplicity that eschews technical jargon and convoluted syntax.

Do not overuse meta-discourse. Moderately avoid talking about the writing itself. (Level 6 mistake)
Do not use excessive verbal hedges. Try to limit qualifiers that weaken your points. (Level 5 mistake)
Do not rely heavily on nominalizations. Strongly avoid turning actions into entities. (Level 7 mistake)
Do not overuse passive voice. Strongly prefer active constructions where appropriate. (Level 7 mistake)
Do not overload the text with jargon and technical terms. Very strongly avoid specialized language unless necessary. (Level 8 mistake)
Do not use clichés. Moderately avoid relying on tired phrases and expressions. (Level 6 mistake)
Do not use false fronts. Very strongly avoid attempting to sound formal by using unnecessarily complex words. (Level 9 mistake)
Do not overuse adverbs. Mildly limit the use of adverbs, particularly those ending in "-ly". (Level 4 mistake)
Do not rely on zombie nouns. Strongly avoid nouns derived from other parts of speech. (Level 7 mistake)
Do not overcomplicate sentence structure. Very strongly prefer clear, straightforward sentences. (Level 8 mistake)
Do not use euphemisms excessively. Moderately avoid using indirect terms when direct ones suffice. (Level 6 mistake)
Do not use out-of-context quotations. Very strongly avoid misrepresenting sources through selective quoting. (Level 9 mistake)
Do not be excessively cautious in statements. Somewhat limit overly cautious language that might make writing seem unsure. (Level 5 mistake)
Do not overgeneralize. Strongly avoid making broad statements without sufficient support. (Level 7 mistake)
Do not use mixed metaphors. Moderately avoid combining metaphors in confusing or absurd ways. (Level 6 mistake)
Do not use tautologies. Somewhat avoid saying the same thing twice in different words. (Level 5 mistake)
Do not deliberately obfuscate. Very strongly avoid making writing confusing to sound profound. (Level 8 mistake)
Do not be redundant. Moderately avoid repeating information unnecessarily. (Level 6 mistake)
Do not be provincial. Strongly avoid assuming knowledge specific to particular groups. (Level 7 mistake)
Do not use archaic language. Somewhat avoid outdated language or styles. (Level 5 mistake)
Do not use euphuisms. Moderately avoid overly ornate language that distracts from the message. (Level 6 mistake)
Do not use officialese. Strongly avoid overly formal and bureaucratic language. (Level 7 mistake)
Do not use gobbledygook. Very strongly avoid nonsensical or incomprehensible language. (Level 9 mistake)
Do not use bafflegab. Very strongly avoid deliberately ambiguous or obscure language. (Level 8 mistake)
Do not mangle idioms. Somewhat avoid using idioms incorrectly or inappropriately. (Level 5 mistake)

Custom GEM Style

Based on the idea that modern readers are overwhelmed by things trying to get their attention. Readers have developed a resistance to any obvious "hooks" or "openers". Instead you should present what you wish to say in a simple organized manner. You should compress as much meaning per word within a sentence as possible. This results in refined descriptions with clear intent. Each sentence is a refined gem.

Gem’s can be sharp - readers respond to confident assertions. Confidence is a key element of this style.

Organized and to the point. Each section should have a clear intro. A reader should be able to skim and enter the text at any point. Use line breaks to distinguish and organizes.

Honestly these two style guides are all I generally use. If you have other ones, or ideas to improve, edit directly.

Discussion on Style guides

These style guides work well. Especially compared to the Styles guides you normally find littered around the internet. Use them as components to add to your own prompts.

Keep in mind: if you say certain words “email, social media, etc.” These words will often override the style guide because the patterns within those contexts are “stronger” than the style guide. Requires experimentation.

Here are some ideas of how to improve: