Mark Twain's Writing Guide

The following guidelines are given in Mark Twain's satirical essay, "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses"

Any writer, but especially students trying to write acceptable essays or other prose for a grade, would do well to follow these rules.
 Mark Twain
  1. A tale shall accomplish something and arrive somewhere.
  2. Episodes of a tale shall be necessary parts and shall help develop it.

*  *  *  *  *

  1. Crass stupidities shall not be played upon the reader [as "sophistication" or "scientific truth"] by either the author or the people in the tale.
  2. Events shall be believable.

*  *  *  *  *

    The author shall:
  1. Say what he is proposing to say, not merely come near it.
  2. Use the right word, not its second cousin.
  3. Eschew surplusage.
  4. Not omit necessary details.
  5. Avoid slovenliness of form.
  6. Use good grammar.
  7. Employ a simple and straightforward style.
Resources on Mark Twain:
This page is maintained by Dan Berger and is part of his Guidelines for Lab Reports and other prose.