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Keep your own list of writing principles; add to it throughout semester:
- OUTLINE!
- Economize phrasing. Remove unnecessary words and phrases – remove any word that is not doing work for you.
- If a longer word and a shorter one say the same thing, use the shorter word.
- Locate action in verbs rather than in nouns.
- Avoid using nouns as adjectives, especially strings of nouns.
- Use your spell-checker.
- Use active voice rather than passive voice.
- Be familiar with the Expressions to Avoid list.
- Lead your sentence or paragraph with your most important or newsworthy word or item.
- Avoid having too many words between subject and verb.
- Be aware of topic and stress positions.
- Avoid jargon.
- Each unit of discourse should be about one thing. Each sentence, each paragraph, each section...
- Pay attention to logical flow of ideas.
- Use proper tense, proper grammar, proper punctuation.
- Proof, and proof again: spelling, grammar… all the things we learned in grade school.
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