List of Rules
Updated as of: November 12, 2014
List of Rules
Week by Week
Class No 1, August 27
E1
Don't write great text. Just write. Then revise it until it is great.
E2
Bury attribution for quotes.
#16
Use definite, specific, concrete language.
Class No 2, September 3
#17
Omit needless words.
E3
Keep sentences short.
E4
Keep paragraphs short.
Class No 3, September 10
Z1
Simplify.
E5
Opt for the simpler word.
E6
Obey the format.
Class No 4, September 17
E7
If you create a question in the reader's mind, answer it.
E8
Quote when the exact words quoted are of interest.
#19
Express coordinate ideas in similar form.
Class No 5, September 23
E3A
But use longer sentences when there is a good reason. Good reasons include:
- To include context or specifics that aren’t important enough to merit a separate sentence.
- To create variety that is pleasing to the ear.
E9
Avoid conclusoriness.
#14
Use the active voice.
Class No 6, October 1
E10
When doing news-type writing, write such that your story could be cut off after any paragraph and still be complete.
E11
Attribute information. (Maintain credibility and do not parrot. Unless it is an opinion piece, do not inject your opinion.)
E12
Bury however.
Class No 7, October 8
W17
Do not inject opinion.
E13
Avoid invective.
Class No 8, October 15
E14
Be smooth with links. (Avoid "click." If possible, avoid "here" and "website.")
E15
Avoid mystery links. (A reader should know what's on the other side of the link before clicking it.)
Class No 9, October 21
E16
Use plural pronouns and plural possessive determiners only for plural referents. (Do not use "they," "them," or "their" in the singular.)
E17
Avoid sexism and awkwardness in pronouns and possessive determiners referring to abstract or hypothetical persons. (Do not use "he" to refer to someone who might be a woman or "she" for someone who might be a man. Avoid awkward disjunctive constructions such as "he or she" as well as non-words such as "s/he.")
Class No 10, October 29
E18
When writing in a new genre, prepare yourself by reading great examples.
PS1
Plan your intro and outro. Your beginning doesn't have to be dramatic or clever, just purposeful. It could be "Hello, I'm ____," or "Today I'm going to tell you ..." It's the same with endings. After offering a brief summary or bottom-line assessment, you might say something similar to the following: "Thank you." "I've enjoyed speaking with you." "Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions." The key is to end cleanly and strongly.
PS2
Record and review. Make an audio or video recording of your speech and review it. You likely will be able to see all kinds of things that you are unaware of when you were in the moment.
Class No 11, November 5
PS3
For slideshows, avoid using text in a way that will allow your audience's attention to wander.
Class No 12, November 12
Z2
Dejargonize.
Z3
Don't assume the reader knows.
By writer and by number
EEJ's Rules
E1
Don't write great text. Just write. Then revise it until it is great.
E2
Bury attribution for quotes.
E3
Keep sentences short.
E3A
But use longer sentences when there is a good reason. Good reasons include:
- To include context or specifics that aren’t important enough to merit a separate sentence.
- To create variety that is pleasing to the ear.
E4
Keep paragraphs short.
E5
Opt for the simpler word.
E6
Obey the format.
E7
If you create a question in the reader's mind, answer it.
E8
Quote when the exact words quoted are of interest.
E9
Avoid conclusoriness.
E10
When doing news-type writing, write such that your story could be cut off after any paragraph and still be complete.
E11
Attribute information. (Maintain credibility and do not parrot. Unless it is an opinion piece, do not inject your opinion.)
E12
Bury however.
E13
Avoid invective.
E14
Be smooth with links. (Avoid "click." If possible, avoid "here" and "website.")
E15
Avoid mystery links. (A reader should know what's on the other side of the link before clicking it.)
E16
Use plural pronouns and plural possessive determiners only for plural referents. (Do not use "they," "them," or "their" in the singular.)
E17
Avoid sexism and awkwardness in pronouns and possessive determiners referring to abstract or hypothetical persons. (Do not use "he" to refer to someone who might be a woman or "she" for someone who might be a man. Avoid awkward disjunctive constructions such as "he or she" as well as non-words such as "s/he.")
E18
When writing in a new genre, prepare yourself by reading great examples.
Strunk's Rules
#14
Use the active voice.
#16
Use definite, specific, concrete language.
#17
Omit needless words.
#19
Express coordinate ideas in similar form.
White's Rules
W17
Do not inject opinion.
Zinsser's Rules
Z1
Simplify.
Z2
Dejargonize.
Z3
Don't assume the reader knows.
EEJ's Public Speaking Rules
PS1
Plan your intro and outro. Your beginning doesn't have to be dramatic or clever, just purposeful. It could be "Hello, I'm ____," or "Today I'm going to tell you ..." It's the same with endings. After offering a brief summary or bottom-line assessment, you might say something similar to the following: "Thank you." "I've enjoyed speaking with you." "Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions." The key is to end cleanly and strongly.
PS2
Record and review. Make an audio or video recording of your speech and review it. You likely will be able to see all kinds of things that you are unaware of when you were in the moment.
PS3
For slideshows, avoid using text in a way that will allow your audience's attention to wander.
Copyright 2014 Eric E. Johnson. Konomark - Most rights sharable.