Language that does not obstruct.
WHAT CLARITY REQUIRES
Short sentences Ordinary words Specific statements Active phrasing Consistent terminology
WHY SHORT SENTENCES
Long sentences require holding several things in mind while reading.
WHAT TO AIM FOR
One idea per sentence.
WHAT TO AVOID
Words chosen to sound technical Long words where short ones exist Abstraction where a concrete statement is possible
WHY TECHNICAL-SOUNDING LANGUAGE FAILS
It obscures meaning and it does not impress the reader, who wants to finish.
WHAT TO PREFER
Saying what happens.
WHAT CONSISTENCY REQUIRES
The same term for the same thing, every time.
WHY
Readers assume different words mean different things.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A list of terms and their agreed usage.
WHAT TO AVOID
Synonyms for variety.
WHY
Variety is a virtue in prose and a defect in technical writing.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT AMBIGUOUS WORDS
Replace them.
WHAT AMBIGUITY LOOKS LIKE
Words that could refer to several things Pronouns whose referent is unclear Instructions that could be read two ways
WHAT TO TEST
Whether a sentence could be misread.
WHY
If it can be, it will be.
WHAT TO REMOVE
Words that add nothing Qualifications that weaken without informing Repetition of what was already stated
WHAT TO KEEP
Anything the reader needs to act.
WHAT TO READ
The document aloud, or have someone else read it.
WHY
Awkward and unclear passages are audible.
