Checking for Vague

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Checking for Vague Ambiguous Usage
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Writers are often tempted to use it, this, that,
or which as a kind of shortcut, a quick and easy
way of referring to something mentioned earlier.
Unfortunately, such shortcuts can often cause
confusion. Make sure when you use these
pronouns, that they refer clearly to a specific
antecedent.The following slides illustrate some
examples of vague and/or ambiguous usage.
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Vague

• When they realized the bill would be defeated,
  they tried to postpone the vote. However, it
  failed.

What does it refer tothe bill, the attempt to
postpone a vote on it, or perhaps both?
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Clear

• When they realized the bill would be defeated,
  they tried to postpone the vote. However, the
  attempt failed.

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Vague

• Today has been wonderful I finished my last
  paper, got an A on my drafting final, and
  registered for graduation. Because of this, I
  plan to celebrate.

Does this refer only to the graduation? Or are
all the events reason for the celebration?
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Clear

• Today has been wonderful I finished my last
  paper, got an A on my drafting final, and
  registered for graduation. Because of these
  feats (accomplishments), I plan to celebrate.

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Ambiguous

• She read a review of the book, which confused
  her.

What does which refer to the review or the book?
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Clear

• She read a review of the book, a work that
  confused her.

• She read a review of the book the review
  confused her.

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• If that or which opens a clause that refers to a
  specific noun, put that or which directly after
  the noun, if possible.

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Ambiguous

• We worked all night on the float for the Holiday
  Parade that our club was going to sponsor.

Does that refer to the float or the Rose Parade?
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Clear

• We worked all night on the float that our club
  was going to sponsor for the Holiday Parade.

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• Was this clear?

What does this refer to?