No comma, however, should separate a noun from a restrictive term of identification.

writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.

Follow this rule whatever the final consonant.

Use a dash only when a more common mark of punctuation seems inadequate.

Restrictive clauses, by contrast, are not parenthetic and are not set off by commas.

Nonrestrictive relative clauses are parenthetic, as are similar clauses introduced by conjunctions indicating time or place. Commas are therefore needed. A nonrestrictive clause is one that does

Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation.

Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides, then, therefore, or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required.

"Write in a way that comes naturally," "Revise and rewrite," "Do not explain too much," and the rest; above all, the cleansing, clarion "Be clear."