The Manager's Pocket Guide to Effective Writing

USE SHORT SENTENCES— THE RULE OF TWENTY

Look at any piece of writing, and if you see more than three lines of typing without a period or semi-colon, chances are you’ll start getting confused. More than twenty words in a sentence leads to reader confusion. So reread what you’ve written, note with a wavy line in the margin where you see lengthy sentences, and go back to revise them. There are several ways to trim excess writing fat: cut prepositional phrases, look for restatements that add nothing to your writing, and, avoid the passive voice.

Cut prepositional phrases such as: along the lines of, as of this date, at the present time, and in the event that; instead, use like, today, now, and if. Locate a prepositional phrase, and ask yourself if ...