Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
shelves used to store printed items
blunder
consortium
bookcase
complex
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Noun Quiz Answer
Dictionaries   TOEIC   TOEFL   GMAT   SAT   GRE   MCAT   PCAT   ASVAB   Interviews
Tests   Grammar   Articles   Stories   Shop   Services   Lesson Plans   Community
Home   Start your FREE email English course now!   Audio Lessons
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving...



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
What does this quote mean? 'From quiet homes and first beginning, Out to the...' | "amount to" or "amounts to"?
Message Author
Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving... Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:32 am  Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving...		  
Hi, I have one question about this review.

Quote:
Whether you write an occasional professional letter or a daily newspaper column, William Zinsser's On Writing Well should be required reading. Simplicity is Zinsser's mantra: he preaches a stripped-down writing style, strong and clear. He has no patience for excess (most use of adjectives and adverbs, he writes, just adds clutter) or tired phraseology (for instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving those "future archaeologists" most often found "stumbl[ing] upon the remains of our civilization"). He recommends that all writers of nonfiction read their work aloud (don't commit something to paper that you wouldn't actually say) and write under the assumption that "the reader knows nothing" (not to be confused with assuming the reader's an idiot). In addition to the chapters on the expected--usage, audience, interviews, leads--Zinsser also focuses on such trouble spots as science and technical writing, business writing, sports, and humor.

Can you explain the bold portion for me ? I don't understand it.
What do "outlaw," "leads," "archaeologists," "remains of our civilization" imply ?
sympathy
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 08 Dec 2007
Posts: 91
Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving... Sat Jan 05, 2008 17:43 pm  Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving...		  
The way I perceive the meaning of the sentence, tired phraseology is simply writing cliche phrases and the quoted sentence "stumbling upon the remains of our civilization" is just an example of one.

But I could be totally wrong ^^
Thanos
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 08 Dec 2007
Posts: 12
English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Learn how to explore English words! Subscribe to free email English courseDo you know how to use the relative pronoun?
Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving... Sat Jan 05, 2008 18:08 pm  Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving...		  
Can you make it clearer ? I still don't get the meaning of the sentence. And what does "leads" here mean ?
I thought it means "example." Is that right ?
sympathy
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 08 Dec 2007
Posts: 91
Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving... Sat Jan 05, 2008 18:38 pm  Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving...		  
According to Bartleby a lead can be :
Quote:
7a. The introductory portion of a news story.
b. An important, usually prominently displayed news story.

So that can be a sound explanation as it relates with writing for newspapers.
Still, I am only guessing, maybe someone else can enlighten you a bit further.
Thanos
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 08 Dec 2007
Posts: 12
Display posts from previous:   
What does this quote mean? 'From quiet homes and first beginning, Out to the...' | "amount to" or "amounts to"?
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving... All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
'The success of the Eric Canal spurred an area of canal building.' Help! • Punctuating 'in fact'... • what does the phrase 'the low din' mean? • meaning of "go out on the toe" • usage of "offer somebody resistance" • Plural or singular in this case? Apples vs apple. • when do I use "had"? • when do I use "may" and "might" • forename vs. first name • what does "flimsiest of pretext" mean? • relative clause... • Championship vs Competiton • Phrase "the monarchs have come here in the Fall" • During studying? • Difficult preposition "under" • the usage of the preposition 'to' • Terms for marks on the face • Politically incorrect? • Question about passage: For instance, he'd like to outlaw all leads involving...

Discover English-test.net
Heavy rain clouds? • Assassinate versus Slain • Diligent about your thoughts? • meaning of disburse • What are your favorite pizza toppings? • TOEIC test: Vocabulary Words: List of Nouns • TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Noun Game • Define nurse, guarantee, relationship, subscription, dealer • Definition of crush, guard, separate, bullet, orbit, wound, particular, occupy, school, ship • Free ESL Quiz Online: Responses (1) • Students worksheets: Business Buzzwords through the Seasons

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Provided by phpBB ©2001-2008 phpBB Group
Subscribe to FREE email English course written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail