I don't know why I make resolutions, given a history of general disregard for their importance. Nevertheless, I hereby resolve to use more complex sentences in my blog and to stop sounding like I have no native grasp of the English language. One of my pet peeves in others is the use of pointless abbreviations (UR2L33T, for example) and yet, instant messaging and blogging have degraded my own use of the language as deplorably. Towards this end, I feel it may be necessary to pay closer attention to the diction that I employ in these posts. Having not had a real writing-intensive class in over a year, I find myself victim to the following lazy habits. With constant prodding, I should be able to tighten my language and hopefully sound more intelligent and coherent.
I've been using more empty modifiers and pointless hyperbole in recent writings. This is worrisome; words like "extremely", "absolutely" and "really" should be reserved for when the situation is extreme or absolute. "Really" needs to be erased absolutely from my future vocabulary. I know enough English to conceive of specific and accurate modifiers. Furthermore, hyperbolic comparisons have crept into my linguistic rut and taken up residence. While the odd, odd simile perpetuates my image as being only partially stable mentally -- something I don't mind, stale comparisons and outright exaggeration only cripples readability.
Overuse of parenthetical phrases is also a problem. Parentheses, ellipses and dashes usage will be severely limited henceforth. A parenthetical notation is the lazy man's way of including an idea in a sentence without the necessary transitional phrases. While I will confess to all accusations of laziness, I can't allow my writing to suffer that same fate; it's unacceptable.
I do not claim to have more than these two flaws in my writing. That would be both arrogant and false. However, fixing these seems like a reasonable goal for the next few months. Should I slip up, as I have undoubtedly done so in this post, please correct me. It would be very helpful.
Thank You.
--C.
[Edit: Spelling could also use some work]