Write Right - Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

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Clichés, metaphors and similesClichés. A cliché is an overused expression or idea: a phrase or wordthat has lost its original effectiveness or power from overuse. We useclichés because we think they somehow add colour and vigour to ourwriting - but they don't. Expressions such as at one fell swoop and theworld's my oyster would have sounded refreshingly new whenShakespeare first coined them - but not any more.Should we stop using clichés? No. Just think twice before rolling out anover-familiar phrase, and then use it only if you can’t think of a better wayto express what you want to say.Metaphors. A metaphor is an implicit comparison: the application of aword or phrase to somebody or something that is not meant literally butto make a comparison. For example saying that somebody is a snake ora business is a bit of a lame duck is speaking metaphorically.Beware of mixed metaphors! This is the application of 2 or moreinconsistent metaphors to a given situation, for example ‘the leadershiphave gone over the top and taken up fully entrenched positions’ or ‘incoal mines, mice are used as human guinea pigs’. Mixed metaphorscreate confusing imagery and distract the reader from your message.Similes. A simile is a figure of speech that draws a comparison between2 different things, especially a phrase containing the word ‘like’ or ‘as’, forexample ‘she stood like the image of the muse’ or ‘as white as a sheet’.By all means make your writing colourful and imaginative, but knowwhere to draw the line – especially in official documents.McMurphy fell 12 floors, hitting the pavement like a paper bag filledwith vegetable soup.13
Some phrases we could easily do withoutas a matter of fact…at the end of the day…at this moment in time…in the final analysis…in view of the fact that…it should be understood…last but not least…other things being equal…the fact of the matter is…to all intents and purposes…what can only be described as…when all's said and done…that said…with due regard to….14
Page 1 and 2: VI S UE TNI S U
Page 3: The comma……………………
Page 6: Here are some objectives that effec
Page 12 and 13: The sentence and the paragraphShort
Page 16: Foreign wordsSome originally foreig
Page 19 and 20: SlangNew slang flows into the langu
Page 21: PunctuationPunctuation is the use o
Page 25 and 26: The semicolonThe semicolon marks a
Page 27 and 28: The dashWar does not determine who
Page 29 and 30: The full stop‘Where shall I begin
Page 34 and 35: Geographical titles or regions. Fra
Page 36: Pairs and snaresadverse (unfavourab
Page 39 and 40: A hundred words which aresometimes
Page 41: Some rules that aren’t really rul
Page 44 and 45: Past tenseI spoke to him yesterday.
Page 46 and 47: SingularPluralfirst person subject
Page 48 and 49: DW conventionsThis is a quick refer
Page 50 and 51: Signature block 1. Use a signature
Page 52: Recommended readingJoint Service Pu

Write Right - Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

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