The next step in learning to write, is to learn to compose a something longer than a sentence whether it is an essay, a proposal, an article, a story or a novel.  Professor Strunk and E. B. White propose 10 Principles of Composition in the Elements of Style, which we reproduce again here:

1. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic.
2. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence; end it in conformity with the beginning.
3. Use the active voice.
4. Put statements in positive form.
5. Omit needless words.
6. Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
7. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form.
8. Keep related words together.
9. In summaries, keep to one tense.
10. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

As we have said so many times before: Get the Book!

We have, presumptuously, added some hard-earned rules of our own, many based on the wisdom of Professor Strunk and Mr. White.

 Design

A basic design underlies all writing.  Determine what kind piece you intend to write before you start writing and stay with it.  Casual essays are rambles.  Love letters are outpourings. Blogs are opinions or rants & raves.  Articles (journalism) are supposed to be about truth and integrity but rarely are.  Memos are persuasive, descriptive or informative writing.

The best design is no design but that is impossible 

Most designs are not clearly defined.  Find one or find your own and stick to it. 

 Paragraph

We live in a media driven world of bits and (computer) bytes, and (sound or text) bites.  The paragraph remains the unit of composition, barely.   Use one paragraph for each topic.  Begin with a topic sentence; a concise, comprehensive statement to indicate where the paragraph is going.  Develop it with supporting sentences.  End it with a conclusion in conformity with the beginning.   Avoid single sentence paragraphs or a succession of loose sentences (except if they are set off visually).

Screen readers are often intimidated by long blocks of text, it is sometimes necessary to break up a paragraph into smaller chunks or bites.

 Active Verbs

The active voice is more vigorous than the than the passive voice.  Active verbs direct the reader to the task at hand.  Passive verbs don’t get to the point as quickly. 

Good writing is vigorous and passionate

Passive verbs include any form of the verb to be.  Despite what you may have been taught, it is not necessarily wrong.  Avoid, but not necessarily omit, the passive voice.  It is sometimes indispensable. 

Put some teeth into your writing; make it meaningful, real and human

 Positive Form

The positive form contributes to the reader's comprehension.  The negative form obscures your message.

 Omit Needless Words

If a word is not absolutely necessary, it doesn't belong.  Twain said: Eschew Surplusage.  And he meant it. 

Every word is an extra word until proven otherwise.

Economical writing is easier to understand and makes it easier to keep the reader's attention.  Verbiage is an abundance of words without necessity or meaning.  If Twain, Strunk & White and Zinsser have not dissuaded you, unnecessary words are not acceptable.

 Modifiers

Broadly speaking, adjectives modify a noun or pronoun and adverbs modify a verb, adjective or other adverb.  Exercise restraint in the use of either one.  If you choose to use, use them correctly and avoid misplaced and dangling modifiers.

Adverbs

Adverbs should be avoided, some more than others. You can easily create an adverb from a verb or an adjective by the addition of -ly, try not to use them.

The adverb is the enemy of the verb

Or so it has been said.  Find another way to say it.  Use a stronger verb. 

"Don't ever use Tom Swifties," he said prohibitively

Said, replied and other short verbs work well on their own.  No need to embellish them.

Bad Adverbs

Respective and respectively are used unnecessarily more often than any other words in the language.  Usually found in legal documents, they have no place anywhere.  Definite and definitely are 2nd in the competition for adverbs used unnecessarily.  Add to that list; necessarily and inevitably, irresistibly, incidentally and actually.  They do more harm than good.

Adjectives

Others feel the adjective is the enemy of the noun.  In any case, use adjectives sparingly.

 Do Not Announce Your Intentions

Do not use any of the following phrases to announce what you are going to do next:

• That said;
• I might add;
• It should be pointed out;
• It is interesting to note,

Or any of the thousands of other similar terms.  Just do it.

 Tense

Whatever tense your piece is written in, it should remain consistent throughout the piece.

 Use Specific Language

Stay away from vague or elegant and high-sounding phrases that add texture and tone but may confuse the reader.  The more specific the word, the more information it conveys.  The more abstract the word the less it tells the reader.

Avoid the obvious, the gratuitous and the pretentious

 Avoid Hedgewords

Hedgewords (seems, probably, perhaps, possibly, might) are a way out; avoid them.  Although occasionally useful they are rarely ever necessary.

 Eliminate Jargon

Avoid jargon when you can.  If unavoidable, do your best to translate it into real terms after it is introduced, as graciously as possible.

 Avoid Lingo and Slang

Lingo and Slang are difficult to capture in written form and even harder to read.  Nothing can spoil your credibility than talking like an inner city gang member. 

Ya know what I'm sayin?  

 Double Negatives

Double negatives have no place anywhere.

I don’t have nothing to say. 

 Consistent Design

Express similar ideas in similar fashion.  The position of the words suggests their logical relationship.  State your case and bring your reader along to its logical conclusion. 

 Use Analogies for Illustration

Used properly, analogies are an excellent tool for explaining difficult concepts.  Use them sparingly.

 Vary the Tone

Try to vary your tone to break the boredom and the drone. Often called elegant variation, experiment with different words and sentence structures.

 Voice

Voice is the distinctive style or manner of expression of an author or a character in a book.  It is far too large and important a subject to be dealt with here.  Find your own voice. 

 Chatter

Our lives are filled with endless chatter: meaningless words crowding the air and the airwaves, print and electronic media.  Catchy marketing phrases, rap and rock lyrics and endlessly repeated advertising slogans are pounded into our heads intended to brainwash our over assaulted minds.  Don't let your writing add to the din. 

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