Conventions of Composition Rule 215 Practice

1. Weak: Ebony is tall.

Better: Ebony can reach over the backyard gazebo without standing on her toes.

Explanation: Tall can mean a lot of different things, so more specific works better to allow the reader to know how tall.

2. Weak: Lola and Lucy have a lot of pets.

Better: Lola and Lucy have a dog, a cat, a hamster, three fish, a turtle, and a boa constrictor.

Explanation: One person's a lot might not be the same as another person's idea of a lot.Specific details make the sentence more clear.

3. Weak: Nan and Maverick didn't want to eat at a restaurant.

Better: Nan and Maverick complained that restaurant food would be too rich, causing them to get sick.

Explanation: The specifics demonstrate the point better than the generics.