From Wikipedia, “E-Prime (short for English-Prime) operates as a version of the English language that excludes all forms of the verb “to be” (be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being), or the contractions of “to be” (‘m, ‘s, ‘re; e.g., I’m, he’s, she’s, they’re).”
I wrote my book using E-Prime guidelines.
As a writer, it forces you to use rich, active verbs and thus avoiding the generalizations and oversimplifications that the use of “to be” brings. It also drives for clearer writing, as a subject will always perform the actions one writes about, which reduces dogmatic statements and its misunderstandings and conflicts.
Kellogg and Bourland describe that the misuse of the verb “to be” too often leads to creating a “deity mode of speech,” allowing “even the most ignorant to transform their opinions magically into god-like pronouncements on the nature of things.”
This exercise proved very challenging, fun, and useful to me. I hope you enjoy it too.
Please let me know in the comments or contact form if you found anything particularly interesting about this writing style, both good and bad.
Daniel Rubiolo 