My ten principles

Here are ten clear-writing principles I teach my students:

1. Use effective, readable typefaces and type sizes.
   
2. Keep sentences and paragraphs short.
   
3. Use headings to create obvious, large-scale organization.
   
4. Use moderate enumeration and tabulation for small-scale organization.
   
5. Use concrete nouns as subjects; use concrete verbs.
   
6. Prefer active voice to passive.
   
7. Avoid unnecessary Latin, formal words, and jargon.
   
8. Cut unnecessary words.
   
9. Punctuate correctly.
   
10. Test documents on the intended audience before finishing them.

Coming posts will expand on each one.