Guide-posts must mark our highways, if we are in earnest about our destination of brevity and clarity. In the specific hints which follow as to what to do and what not to do, there will be no attempt to point the way to literary effects which have entertainment for their sole object. Our effort must be to find a practical and speedy outlet for military information and decision through the most unmistakable channels. But since we must be terse and clear even to entertain, most of the rules of English will apply here. So we must not betray surprise or anguish when we are beset on our way by some old enemies with whom we have wrestled in rhetorics. In meeting them again we shall become the stronger because of the exercise on new and professional ground. The effort to put facts into forceful and compact form now, will create for us such a habit of brevity and clarity that later on we shall have room in our natural language for only such _ideas_ and _decisions_ as are brief and clear. WHAT WE MUST NOT DO AS TO WORDS. 1. Never use a term which depends upon the point of view of the observer, such as _right_, _left_, _in front of_, _behind_, _on this side_, _beyond_, and the like. Any of these directions may be turned askew in nine cases out of ten for the hearer or reader. Use instead _north_, _east_, etc.—the points of the compass—designations which do not change. To give an exact position of a place, state the _number of yards_ it lies _south_, _west_, etc., of a certain point on the map or of a well-known object called _a reference point_. Exceptions.—_Right_ and _left_ may be used in regard to individuals, banks of a stream, and flanks of troops, because their _rights_ and _lefts_ do not change. The right of a man is the side on which his right arm is no matter which way he faces; the right bank of a stream is the right as the observer faces down stream; the right flank of a body of troops is the right as the troops face the enemy. (Troops in retreat are supposed to be facing the enemy. The rear guard in reality is doing so.) 2. Do not use qualifying words such as, _sort of_, _kind of_, _very_, _almost_, _quite_, _exceedingly_, _tremendously_, _somewhat_, _rather_, _nearly_, and the like; For, (a). They lessen force, because they render uncertain ideas which should be definite; and (b). They mean different things to different people. Smith’s _almost_ may achieve; Jones’ _almost_ may scarcely start. 3. Do not use slang. There is usually a word which will express the meaning more truthfully. “Putting it over” may mean complete victory or a sniper’s accurate shot. The phrase is not truthful. 4. Use no abbreviations except A. M., and P. M., and those given in Appendix 9 of our Field Service Regulations.[1] Noon and midnight should be written out fully.