Strunked

Scope and Content

I have invented a new word. As 'xerox' and google' have become acceptable verbs, I propose that 'strunk' be added.

strunk

Verb 1) identify violations of plain English style, rules of usage or principles of composition. 2 firmly quash the offending verbiage.

This blog will focus on verbosity - needless use of words which violate plain English style.

"He wrote he was going to revert back to his prior method - and was immediately strunked." Or
"Joe reduced it down to its bare essentials - and got strunked"

Each was strunked because of violating plain English style: one does not revert back; one reverts. One does not reduce down; one reduces.

I have taken the liberty to appoint myself as 'official strunker' of needless words - words which add nothing to sentences but which people use all of the time in their writing. Offenders will be strunked.

Opportunities to strunk occur daily - in newspapers, magazines, on websites, in blogs, on radio and television. It's everywhere and must be stopped!!!!! The violation will be identified and mercilessly strunked. A correction will be made.

Shall we begin.