The authors first present ten principles of effective composition, and then scrutinize three extended paragraphs, suggesting with remarkable specificity how to improve them.

Includes bibliographical references.

Foreword / Mary Ann Caws -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Part I : Strategies -- 1. Use concrete subjects and verbs -- 2. Avoid too many adverbs and adjectives -- 3. Avoid jargon and bombast -- 4. Avoid redundancy -- 5. Use transitions to link sentences and ideas -- 6. Vary sentence structure -- 7. Use parallel structures for coordinate elements -- 8. Place modifiers properly -- 9. Place the most dramatic material at the end of sentences -- 10 Make sure that every pronoun has a clear antecedent -- Part II : Passages -- A. The First Paragraph -- B. The Second Paragraph -- C. The Third Paragraph -- Conclusion -- Epilogue -- Turning point / Steven M. Cahn -- The Universe and Dr. Cahn / Victor L. Cahn -- About the Authors.