Dos and don'ts of writing

Whatever you write — an essay, an email, an article, a report — some rules almost always apply. These are the universal dos and don'ts of good writing.

Do

• Do know what you are trying to say. Before you write, decide your one point. If you are not sure what it is, the reader will not be sure either.
• Do write for your reader. Imagine the person reading it. What do they already know? What do they need to know? Write to them.
• Do show, don't tell. Prefer concrete detail over abstract summary. "The room was cold" tells; "her breath steamed" shows.
• Do use strong, specific words. Prefer the precise word over the vague one. "Sprinted" is stronger than "went quickly."
• Do write plainly. Clear beats clever. If a simpler word works, use it. Jargon and long words hide weak thinking.
• Do edit. Your first draft is not your final version. Revise for clarity, then proofread for errors.

Don't

• Don't write to fill space. Every sentence should earn its place. Cut whatever does not.
• Don't hide in jargon or passive voice. "Mistakes were made" avoids saying who. When the doer matters, name them.
• Don't over-explain. If the reader can infer it, leave it out. Trust the reader.
• Don't bury your point. Put the important thing early. Do not save the point for the third paragraph.
• Don't pad with adjectives. "Very," "really," "extremely" usually add noise. Cut them and let the noun and verb work.
• Don't stop at the first draft. A draft is not done just because it is written. Good writing is rewritten.

The one-line rule

Make it clear, then make it interesting, then make it short — in that order. Clarity always comes first.

Checklist

• I know the one point I am making.
• I wrote for a specific reader.
• I showed details instead of summarizing feelings.
• I used specific, plain words.
• I cut padding and needless adjectives.
• I revised and proofread.