Strike the but

There are two occasions in my English class in which I recommend that students "strike the but" from their writing. The first is when I take notice of a tendency to begin sentences with conjunctions.

"If the tone is informal, fine. But don't overuse conjunctions at the start of a sentence. It can add rhythm, sure, but there are a lot of other fresh ways to do that."

See? Strike the but in the example above, and the meaning stays the same. Some would even argue that the message is more clear. Fewer words =  less clutter.

Then there is the lesson on the semi-colon or the dash. Conjunctions do the job when one has two independent clauses to marry, but a semi-colon or a dash might add some style.

For example:
Jujubee baked a cake, but she forgot to add the baking powder.

Strike the but and try these options for variety:

Jujubee baked a cake; she forgot to add the baking powder.

Jujubee baked a cake--she forgot to add the baking powder.

On the other hand, if you strike the but and leave a comma to do its job, watch out!

Jujubee baked a cake, she forgot to add the baking powder.

"Help! Save me!" called the comma. "I can't handle the weight of two sentences on my own!"

Between the but that was struck and the comma in need of better-fitting britches, that sentence is a mess. 

There are other conjunctions to strike--I won't deny that. And, or, so, and yet offer striking opportunities galore, but none provide the long-lasting smile than "striking the but" in a room of goofy eighth graders does.