TIPS
FOR CLEAR, EFFECTIVE WRITING
q
Use short words rather than long ones.
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Avoid unfamiliar words.
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Be sure each word conveys its precise meaning.
Use your dictionary and thesaurus.
q
Use strong verbs; avoid the passive voice.
NO:
The road was built in 1920 by the community.
YES:
The community built the road in 1920.
q
Watch use of qualifying words and phrases.
Check your adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases.
Are they needed? If not,
strike them out. Be especially
alert for long strings of prepositional phrases.
q
Vary sentence length.
Balance long sentences with short ones.
Try not to average more than 20 words per sentence.
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Be straightforward. Rambling
sentences, filled with qualifying clauses, cause the reader to lose the train of
thought. Take the most direct route
between subject, verb, and object.
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Avoid wordiness, jargon, flamboyant words, pompous phrases,
and generalities.
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Organize your work in paragraphs.
Use paragraphs appropriately; do not insert paragraphs simply to make
your paper look balanced.
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Avoid redundancy. Don’t
be afraid to cut.
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Quote only when necessary and only what is necessary.
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Revise your work several times before turning it in.