Plain English - How
General Principles
The fewer words the better.
Organise your writing.
Edit your writing.
Keep sentences short.
Keep subject, verb and object together
Prefer the active voice
Be personal.
Keep it positive
- Prefer positives to negatives.
- Avoid double negatives.
- Recoil in horror from triple negatives.
Definitions
Enumerations
- Break into subparagraphs:
- Branch right, not left:
Singular versus plural
Provisos
Bad habits
Shall
And/or
For the avoidance of doubt
Including, without limitation
The Counterparty may, but shall not be obliged to
Numbering
Style
- Use strong verbs, instead of modified weaker ones. Prefer "bellowed" to "Shouted loudly".
- Avoid wimpy writing: Avoid "almost", "seems to".