Conventions of Composition Rule 219

Rule: Get to the point, using clear wording. Avoid the awkward.

Examples:

Awkward: The reason that I am happy is because I have won a scholarship to Georgetown University.

Better: I am happy because I have won a scholarship to Georgetown University.

Awkward: His main purpose that he talks about to Jordan in the past five years is about getting Daisy back.

Better: For the past five years, he has worked to get Daisy back.

Practice revising sentences to eliminate awkward phrasing:

1. When I want to buy apples to make pie, which I really like, for dessert, I go to one of the stores that's near my house not the ones that are farther away.
2. Some teachers but not most of the students think that all holidays when they get called should be announced in advance.
3. I wanted to have a Greek salad with my dinner, which Taavi thought was strange since I was eating sushi.

Resources for further explanation of awkward wording:

Skidmore College's Awkward Sentences

BYUI's Awkward Sentences

Omniglot's 5 Types of Awkward Wording to Avoid