Plain English - How
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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
Numbering
Style
- Use strong verbs, instead of modified weaker ones. Prefer "bellowed" to "Shouted loudly".
- Avoid wimpy writing: Avoid "almost", "seems to".