Many first-rate correspondents seem to get along with a second-rate vocabulary, as regards the num ber of words in it, evidently because such a vocabulary is sufficient for their needs. Their thinking is so clear and direct, and they deal so much in plain state ments of fact that they do not need to employ unusual words in expressing their meaning. As a rule, the fewer and the shorter the words necessary to express the thoughts, the better is the thinking for business purposes.
Accuracy of expression requires close discrimina tion in regard to the meaning of ordinary words. Dictionary definitions are not sufficient. Often the frequent use of a word to express a disagreeable meaning causes that word to carry with it an unpleas ant association. The word "conspicuous," for ex ample, is so often used in connection with events or things or persons that make an unfavorable impres sion that this word has to be carefully used if it is to make a favorable impression, altho neither a dictionary nor a book of synonyms would indicate that this word may possess a disagreeable significance. We are therefore inclined to speak of marked rather than con spicuous success. This example simply illustrates the fact that words have current significance which the correspondent should be able to sense accurately. Frequent use of a good dictionary of synonyms will prove valuable to the writer who wishes to acquire the ability to express fine shades of meaning.
5. Simplicity in diction.—Many of the more mod ern masters of style in literary English, like Steven son, Lincoln and Emerson—and even earlier clasNc English authors like Bunyan, Addison, Steele and Defoe—show a marked tendency toward simplicity in diction and an almost fastidious carefulness in the choice of words. • The results of clear thinking are nearly always expressed with admirable simplicity of diction. It has already been said, in a preceding chapter, that Abraham Lincoln's letters and speeches are models of direct style for the business correspond ent.
Generally, preference should be given to short, Anglo-Saxon words, but this does not mean that longer words are not to be preferred when they are required for exact expression of the thought. Clear ness is the most essential requirement. Constant ef fort on the part of the correspondent to make his language simple helps him greatly to think clearly and deeply.
Anglo-Saxon diction is preferable even when the addressee is fully capable of understanding Latinized diction, because it always gives an impression of greater sincerity on the part of the writer, and be cause the thought of the writer can be interpreted more quickly if it is conveyed in short, vivid words.
The longer words, while they often permit finer shad ing of thought, tend to challenge credibility because they are associated with hair-splitting discriminations. Such forms of expression are suitable for legal con tracts and, of course, should be used even in business correspondence when necessary, but few business letters require them. When short words are used, no greater number of words is required than when less simple diction is employed. On the contrary, fewer words are required, because the thought is clearer and therefore more condensed in its expression. Short words and concise expression go together. Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is a good illustration of this.
6. Sentence subject of considerable importance in business English is that of sentence structure. The business correspondent should not only be able to distinguish between groups of words that form a complete thought (or a sentence) and groups that do not, but he should also be able to understand clearly all the various relationships that exist between the words, phrases and clauses of which sentences are composed. The main problem in con structing a sentence is to show clearly the right re lationship of the parts of the sentence. This requires a logical subordination of ideas—the proper expres sion of coordinate and subordinate relationships. It is well always to keep in mind the fact that there are numerous connectives in addition to the words "but" and "and." Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that each one of these connective words is designed to indicate a somewhat different kind or degree of re lationship from that indicated by any other connec tive.
A thoro sense of the logical relationship of ideas within a sentence is the prerequisite to the construe tion of effective sentences. An increased ability to express these relationships accurately is the main re sult of a study of rhetoric. Almost any one, no mat ter how well he may write, can improve his style by studying a good treatise on the kinds of sentences and the varieties of their structure. Mastery of the technic of good sentence structure is a distinct asset in the art of letter-writing.