Editor's Bugaboos in Writing

When clients send me documents for editing, I always warn them that not all editors are created equal. We don't agree on every element. We have individual quirks, mainly in our notions of what constitutes good/bad creative writing. If the writing must follow a particular style guide, then that is the reference I'll use in editing. However, left to my own preferences and in ambiguous situations where style guides conflict, these elements I will usually flag as needing elimination or rewriting:

* the verb to be
* sentences beginning with "there [to be]"
* passive construction
* avoidable ellipses and dashes

"Why?" braver clients whine. Depending on what kind of a day the editor is having, the response may range from "because I say so" to an explanation that using strong, action verbs and sentences causes clearer, more colorful, exciting or readable writing. If the document under scrutiny is for business, ellipses and dashes have no business in the text, anyway. Academic writing is another animal entirely with its own restrictions and formats. My thesis chair described that form of writing as "constipated".