A document may be technically and grammatically correct, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is well-written. Your writing will be more effective if you consider the following principles:

Consider your audience

Know who your readers are and put yourself in their shoes. Think about how they will read your writing and how they will benefit from or react to it. Use words familiar to your readers and avoid unnecessary or potentially confusing jargon. For example, many terms used by PLNU faculty and staff may not be familiar to students and the outside community.

Be clear and concise

Be as clear as possible, but don’t repeat your ideas. You want your writing to be comprehensible and precise. Be as accurate and complete as possible. Include what is important, no more and no less.

Use an appropriate tone

The tone you adopt affects how your audience will respond because it communicates your attitude about the subject and the reader. Your tone will be determined by your content. For example, an annual report will have a more formal tone than a student event flyer.

Use active rather than passive voice

The active voice is generally preferred because it is more direct and clear. Passive voice is appropriate only when it is important to draw attention to the thing acted upon or when you want to de-emphasize the subject.

In active voice, the subject clearly performs the action: The president gave an inspirational commencement speech.

In passive voice, the subject is acted upon and may be unclear: An inspirational commencement speech was given. (By whom?)

Use short, simple words and avoid wordiness

Write and rewrite for brevity. Short, simple, straightforward words are usually the most effective way to communicate your message, while wordiness slows down the pace and can distract from your message.

Use specific and concrete language

This will give your writing interest, as well as richer, more significant content. Always opt for a detail over an abstraction.

Not: The student loved the class.

But: The student hung on every word the professor said and raved about the class to all of her friends.

Avoid clichés.

Avoid overused, unoriginal phrases. Look for a new way to say it.

Strive for sentence variety

Varying the structure, length and complexity of your sentences will help to keep your writing interesting. Make sure sentences link together coherently by using transitional words such as "first," "next" and "finally." When possible, try to combine short, choppy sentences into a more flowing one.

Use Parallel Structure.

Sentences, headings and lists should be balanced using parallel sentence structure. When multiple ideas exist in one sentence, they should be expressed in similar style and form.

Parallel Verbs

Not: The student likes writing papers, reading novels, and to give speeches.

But: The student likes writing papers, reading novels, and giving speeches.

Parallel Adverbs

Not: Professors should grade student papers fairly, thoroughly, and in a positive manner.

But: Professors should grade student papers fairly, thoroughly and positively.

Parallel Clauses

Not: New PLNU students are encouraged to get involved in campus activities, told that they should attend New Student Orientation, and to get to know their professors.

But: New PLNU students are encouraged to get involved in campus activities, to attend New Student Orientation, and to get to know their professors.

Parallel Lists

Not: Please take me to the bank, grocery store, post-office, and also stop by the library.
But: Please take me to the bank, grocery store, post-office and library.