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Chapter 20: Technical Definitions

Editing for Readable Style: A Review

Editing for Clarity

Editing for Clarity

Efficient writing has one meaning only, allows for one interpretation. The first requirement of efficient writing, then, is clarity.

A clear sentence conveys your exact meaning on the first reading.

It signals relationships among its parts.

It emphasizes the key idea.

The following suggestions will help you edit for clarity.

Avoid ambiguous phrasing.
Avoid ambiguous pronoun references.
Avoid ambiguous punctuation.
Avoid telegraphic writing.
Avoid ambiguous modifiers.
Unstack the modifying nouns.
Arrange words for coherence and emphasis.
Use active voice often.
Use passive voice selectively.
Avoid overstuffed sentences.

Pearson

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