William Safire, author, conservative political columnist, and White House speechwriter for President Nixon, died on Sunday at the age of 79.
He wrote, “nattering nabobs of negativism” for Vice President Agnew, which has to be one of the greatest all-time alliterative put downs.
As a remembrance to him, take a look at some of his comical yet instructive “Great Rules for Writing.”
Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don’t start sentences with a conjunction.
The passive voice should never be used.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
A writer must not shift your point of view.
Don’t overuse exclamation marks!!
Avoid clichés like the plague; seek viable alternatives.
As an intelligent man, may he have used his time in life to explore the merits of Jesus Christ, and have trusted Him as his one and only Savior,the only source of wisdom.
"For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. . . .So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:3-4, 12, KJV)
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