| 6.
Help your reader follow your writing. |
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Use sub-titles
and short paragraphs. Use numbered points to organize information.
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Use examples to illustrate
your points. |
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Use words like — “so,
that means, on the other hand” — to help your reader follow
the information. |
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Use parallel construction
for comparable ideas. For example — begin all items in a list
with the verb (as we have done in this list). |
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| 7.
Use basic punctuation like commas and periods. |
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A sentence that needs several
commas or a semi-colon usually includes more than one idea. Breaking
it up into two (or more) sentences will make it easier. |
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Brackets can be used for
explanation or examples. Dashes can be used for emphasis. Avoid using
brackets or dashes to introduce a new idea into the middle of a sentence.
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If a point form list includes
single ideas, there is no need for punctuation after each point. While
it is grammatically correct to use semi-colons, they are confusing
to new readers. |
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Avoid using a hyphen to
break up a word at the end of a line. Instead, use a ragged right
hand margin for the text. |
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