nd sought the meaning in the dictionary, considering
whether it had a shade of meaning which added anything important to
his vocabulary. This done, he wrote sentences, many sentences,
employing his new words in various ways, until their use became
instinctive. On this foundation alone, he built his career as a
national writer. There was nothing extraordinary about this start and
the ultimate result. Literally thousands of Americans have qualified
themselves for one branch or another of the writing profession by what
they learned to do in military service. Too, an ability to "organize a
good paper" has been a large element in the success of most of the men
who have moved from the military circle into top posts in the
diplomatic service, in education or in industrial administration. Had
they been capable only of delegating this kind of work, their powers
would never have been recognized.

As a practical matter, it is better to concentrate on a few elementary
rules-of-thumb, such as are contained in the following list, than to
bog down attempting to heed everything that the pedants have said
about how to become a writer.

The more simply a thing is said the more powerfully it influences
those who read. Plain words make strong writing.

There is always one best word to convey a thought or a feeling. To
accept a weaker substitute, rather than to Search for the right
word, will deprive any writing of force.

Economy of words invigorates composition.

To quote Carl Sandburg: "Think twice before you use an adjective."

It is better to use the adverb because an adverb enhances the verb
and is active, whereas the adjective simply loads down the noun.

On the other hand, it is the verb that makes language live. Nine
times out of ten the verb is the operative word giving motion to
the sentence. Hence, placing the verb is of first importance in
giving strength to sentence structure.

In all writing, but in military writing particularly, there is no
excuse for vague terminology or phrases which do not convey an
exact impression of what was done or what is intended. The
military vocabulary is laden with words and expressions which
sound professional but do not have definite meaning. They vitiate
speech and the establishment would gladly rid itself of them if a
way could be found. Men fall into the habit of saying
"performed," "functioned" or "