your inviolable rules of writing

[RickStain]

If we're being that particular, do you need "total"?

 

[azom]

Unanswered and consecutive. They're not the same. Sometimes they are; usually, they're not.

 

[crimsonace]

When you get beat in a game, you lose. When you're hanging out at a gentlemen's club, the women are loose. Know the difference.

Don't use any form of the verb "be," which is the gateway to passive voice.

"That" can be omitted 99% of the time.

Don't capitalize words because you think they're important. If it's not a proper title, don't capitalize it. Don't capitalize random words. (my high school students LOVE to capitalize every subject, class and position, e.g.: the Junior class will be hosting a fundraiser. Students will circulate the Math classes. "It's a great idea," Class Sponsor Jenny Poinbait Said.

Unless it's a long attribution, a person said the quote, not said a person the quote. "Jablome said," not "said Jablome."

 

[HanSenSE]

And can we please stop saying "xxx yards of total offense"? "xxx total yards" will suffice. Thanks.

Those are different things. Kick and punt return yards aren't offense.

You could also say "Podunk had xxx yards from scrimmage."

Just use total yards. Why "from scrimmage"? Still using unnecessary words. I don't think the reader is going to think that if you say Missouri had 481 total yards that you are including return yards. Total yards is passing and rushing yards. Check the box score. Anything else and you would say "all-purpose yards."

Point to BDC99. I was thinking of a way to separate yards on offense from return yards.

 

[Versatile]

And can we please stop saying "xxx yards of total offense"? "xxx total yards" will suffice. Thanks.

Those are different things. Kick and punt return yards aren't offense.

You could also say "Podunk had xxx yards from scrimmage."

Just use total yards. Why "from scrimmage"? Still using unnecessary words. I don't think the reader is going to think that if you say Missouri had 481 total yards that you are including return yards. Total yards is passing and rushing yards. Check the box score. Anything else and you would say "all-purpose yards."

Point to BDC99. I was thinking of a way to separate yards on offense from return yards.

You don't even need the "total," because BDC99's point is right.

 

[BDC99]

Yes, you definitely could drop total but I think it is useful so the reader doesn't wonder if you meant rushing or receiving. Either way is fine with me.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

Unless it's a long attribution, a person said the quote, not said a person the quote. "Jablome said," not "said Jablome."

Along the same lines.

Said is almost always better than says.