Follow These and Write Better
- Choose a suitable design
- Use the active voice
- Put statements in positive form
- Use definite, specific, concrete language
- Omit needless words
- Place yourself in the background
- Write naturally
- Write with nouns and verbs
- Revise and rewrite
- Do not overwrite
- Avoid qualifiers
- Do not affect a breezy manner
- Use orthodox spelling
- Do not explain too much
- Do not construct awkward adverbs
- Avoid fancy words
- Avoid dialect
- Avoid mixing languages
- Prefer the standard to the offbeat
My students should read this book, Elements of Style. They will be better for it. I know I am.