**Rule 1** Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. **Rule 2** Never use a long word where a short one will do. **Rule 3** If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. **Rule 4** Never use the passive where you can use the active. **Rule 5** Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. **Rule 6** Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.