Write It Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults

Name: Write It Right: A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults
Author: Ambrose Bierce

By Ambrose Bierce

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About This Book

The author offers a compact prescriptive manual aimed at improving precision in prose by listing common solecisms and misused words, explaining correct senses, and proposing clearer alternatives. Organized as a blacklist of faults with brief illustrative examples followed by corrective comment, it favors concrete examples over technical exposition, balances rules with allowances for taste and colloquial uses, and stresses meaning and exactness of word choice. It includes guidance on etymology, syntax, and style, warns against lazy or inflated diction, and encourages restraint while acknowledging the author's own fallibility.

About the Author

Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American writer, journalist, and Civil War veteran, known for his sharp wit and cynical perspective on life. His most famous work, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," is a poignant exploration of time and perception, often regarded as a classic of American literature. Bierce's writing spans various genres, including short stories, essays, and satirical pieces, with notable collections such as "Fantastic Fables" and "Can Such Things Be?" His unique style and dark humor have left a lasting impact on American literary heritage, making him a significant figure in the realm of 19th-century literature.