The document provides guidelines for structuring effective sentences and writing clearly. It recommends using lists, emphasizing important information, choosing an appropriate sentence length, focusing on the subject and verb, using parallel structure, and using modifiers effectively. It also gives tips for choosing words, using formality appropriately, writing specifically, avoiding jargon and filler, and addressing issues like inclusiveness. The overall aim is to provide a set of best practices for constructing sentences that are clear, concise, and easy for readers to understand.

1. Use these seven techniques
for structuring effective sentences:
• Use lists.
• Emphasize new and important information.
• Choose an appropriate sentence length.
• Focus on the “real” subject.
• Focus on the “real” verb.
• Use parallel structure.
• Use modifiers effectively.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 1

2. Use these five guidelines
for creating effective lists:
• Set off each listed item with a number, a
letter, or a symbol (usually a bullet).
• Break up long lists.
• Present the items in a parallel structure.
• Structure and punctuate the lead-in correctly.
• Punctuate the list correctly.
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3. Use parallel structure:
• Use the same grammatical form for coordinate
elements in a sentence.
– all clauses either active or passive
– all verbs either indicative or imperative
– all nouns preceded by the same article
• Parallel structure creates a recognizable pattern
and makes a sentence easier to follow.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 3

4. Use modifiers effectively:
• Distinguish between restrictive and
nonrestrictive modifiers.
• Avoid misplaced modifiers.
• Avoid dangling modifiers.
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5. Choose the right words and phrases:
• Select an appropriate level of formality.
• Be clear and specific.
• Be concise.
• Use inoffensive language.
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6. Select an appropriate level of formality:
There are three levels of formality:
• informal
• moderately formal
• highly formal
Use a level and tone appropriate for your
• audience
• subject
• purpose
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7. Informal writing can cause two problems:
• It tends to be imprecise.
• It can be embarrassing.
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8. Use these seven techniques
for writing clearly and specifically:
• Use the active and passive voice appropriately.
• Be specific.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon.
• Use positive constructions.
• Avoid long noun strings.
• Avoid clichés.
• Avoid euphemisms.
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9. Use the active and
passive voice appropriately:
Use the active voice unless
• the agent is clear from the context
• the agent is unknown
• the agent is less important than the action
• a reference to the agent is embarrassing,
dangerous, or in some other way
inappropriate
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10. Use these three techniques
for writing specifically:
• Use precise words.
• Provide adequate detail.
• Avoid ambiguity.
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11. Avoid unnecessary jargon for four reasons:
• It can be imprecise.
• It can be confusing.
• It is often seen as condescending.
• It is often intimidating.
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12. Be concise:
• Avoid obvious statements.
• Avoid filler.
• Avoid unnecessary prepositional phrases.
• Avoid wordy phrases.
• Avoid fancy words.
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13. Follow these six guidelines
for avoiding sexist language:
• Replace the male-gender words with non-gender-
specific words.
• Switch to a different form of the verb.
• Switch to the plural.
• Switch to he or she, he/she, s/he, or his or her.
• Address the reader directly.
• Alternate he and she.
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14. Follow these five guidelines
for using the people-first approach:
• Refer to the person first, the disability second.
• Don’t confuse handicap with disability.
• Don’t refer to victimization.
• Don’t refer to a person as “wheelchair bound” or
“confined to a wheelchair.”
• Don’t refer to people with disabilities as abnormal.
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15. Use these seven techniques
in preparing text for translation:
• Use short sentences.
• Use the active voice.
• Use simple words.
• Include a glossary.
• Use words that have only one meaning.
• Use pronouns carefully.
• Avoid jokes, puns, and culture-bound
references.
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