Tips for good writing

• Read your papers aloud. If you can't read a sentence without gasping for breath, it is too long. Moreover, listen to yourself. Do the sentences sound like something you would say in public?
• Avoid passive voice. (For example: "It was decided..." Who made the decision?) Also shun the verb "to be." Use active verbs instead. They make sentences more lively.
• Don't start a sentence with the words "What," as in "What I'm arguing is..." because it usually means you'll use the verb "to be."  You can write the sentence better without this construction.  ("I argue that...)  Of course, use "What" if the sentence is a question.  ("What is going on?" she asked.)
• Likewise, don't start a sentence with the word "Which" unless it is a question, as in "Which is why the president signed the bill."  You may see this construction in the popular press, but it is incorrect, since the sentence doesn't properly contain a subject.
• Don't internalize knowledge. From your readings, you will have become very familiar with a certain subject and its jargon. Don't assume that your readers know as much as you do. If you use specialized terms or expressions, provide short definitions of them.
• When you use pronouns such as "this" and "it," make sure they clearly refer to the appropriate nouns. Consider these sentences: "The motor in the first French automobile evolved well before its introduction in America. This proves the hypothesis offered by F.W. Langweilig." What does the "its" refer to? The "motor" or the "automobile?" And what does "This" refer to? In other words, be careful when you use such pronouns.
• Remember that "it's" means "it is."  Don't use "it's" instead of the possessive "its."  Know the difference.
• Please proofread papers and use spell-checkers, dictionaries, etc. Check for correcting typing and spelling errors.
• I encourage you to make your colleagues read and edit your drafts before submitting it..
• Avoid using the same words (especially verbs and nouns) in the same sentence or paragraph. Employ different words to provide variety and interest. Utilize a thesaurus if necessary.
• Technically, you should not use split infinitives. (For example, "to boldly go...")

•  When you find yourself writing a sentence with lots of commas and clauses,consider breaking it up into two shorter ans simpler sentences.