July 16, 2002
Usage refers to grammar, mechanics to punctuation. Both operate at the sentence level. Style refers to the image projected by an entire text (i.e. it operates at the discourse level).
We'll cover the sentence-level issues first, but not because you should consider them first in your writing. Remember: Writing is a multi-step process involving both writing and editing. When writing, go as quickly as possible without concern for usage, mechanics, spelling, or any other technical issues. Get your ideas on paper. When editing, you can consider all of the issues discussed below. With practice, you'll be able to get the grammar correct during writing and focus on larger issues during editing.
Strunk and White (S&W) cover usage and mechanics under their 'usage' section. I'll talk about usage, then style, which means we'll consider S&W's rules out of order.
Usage
verb tense and aspect issues (present tense vs. present progressive) (present tense vs. present perfect) (past tense vs. past perfect)
Where to go for help:
English Grammar for Dummies
Modern American Usage: A Guide
Oxford-Fowler's Modern English Usage Dictionary
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language
Understanding and Using English Grammar
Mechanics
hyphenated phrases
hyphens at the end of a line
numerals
parentheses
quotations
titles
bibliographic reference
in-text citations
Where to go for help:
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Turabian Style Manual
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage
The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications
Merriam-Webster's Guide to Punctuation and Style
other field-specific publications and style guides
Writing
Try to separate writing and editing since each uses a different part of the brain. Attempting to edit while writing stifles writing (and vice versa).
Don't write yourself out.
Make notes to yourself while writing. I MAKE NOTES LIKE THIS, IN ALL CAPS, SO THAT I CAN FIND THEM EASILY. The purpose of writing is to get the ideas on the papr and forget about technikal issues. just try to get stuf down and you can edit later. EDIT LATER
Write to find out what you want to say!
Where to go for help:
The Craft of Research
On Writing the College Applications Essay
Writing for Social Scientists
Rewriting Writing
Style: Toward Clarity and Grace
Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing
Penn Writing Resources Center
Style (and composition)
outline
paragraph
active voice
positive statements
definite language
brevity
vary sentence structure
parallelism
watch verb tense
emphatic last (in sentences, paragraphs, texts) or old then new (aka pragmatics for dummies)
Developing your own style
If you're having trouble with grammar, mechanics, or other more trivial matters, 'developing your own style' may sound a bit ambitious. However, you may find style easier than the other matters in the end. Style isn't something you have to craft; rather, it emerges naturally if you follow the above rules and write earnestly. Don't try to be anyone else. Just write.