The Elements of Style · Chapter III

Elementary Principles of Composition

1. 8. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic.
2. 9. As a rule, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence, end it in conformity with the beginning.
3. 10. Use the active voice.
4. 11. Put statements in positive form.
5. 12. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
6. 13. Omit needless words.
7. 14. Avoid a succession of loose sentences:
8. 15. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form.
9. 16. Keep related words together.
10. 17. In summaries, keep to one tense.
11. 18. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.