Plain English - How: Difference between revisions

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 26: Line 26:
====For the avoidance of doubt====
====For the avoidance of doubt====
====Including, without limitation====
====Including, without limitation====
====The Counterparty may, but shallot be obliged to====


====Numbering====
====Numbering====

Revision as of 16:55, 23 April 2016

General Principles

The fewer words the better.

Keep sentences short.

Keep subject, verb and object together

Prefer the active voice

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 shallot 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".