● Declarative sentences make a statement or convey information. This type of sentence is punctuated with a period.

● Interrogative sentences pose a question and request information. In all cases, this sentence form ends in a question mark.

● Imperative sentences offer a command or a request. Either a period or exclamation point can work for this type of sentence.

● Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions. They are used to express surprise, fear, anger and other similar feelings. This sentence form usually ends with an exclamation point.

Sentence structure varies with all four ... [Find out more ...]

• What Are Clauses and Phrases?

  Clauses and phrases are essential elements in constructing sentences. The most basic sentence consists of a single (independent) clause. More complex sentences may contain multiple clauses, including clauses contained within clauses. Clauses may be independent or dependent. ● Independent clauses are those that could stand as a sentence by themselves, ... [Find out more ...]

• What Are Conjunctions?

  Conjunctions form a basic part of speech in the English language. A simple definition of a conjunction is that it joins two parts of a sentence. Conjunctions can be used to link words, phrases, clauses, and sentences into one sentence. When conjunctions are used in a sentence, they can take ... [Find out more ...]

● Independent clauses are those that could stand as a sentence by themselves, although they may be used in connection with other clauses in a longer sentence. Independent clauses can be joined together with a conjunction.

● Dependent clauses are those that would be awkward or nonsense if used alone. They must be used with an independent clause to form a complete sentence. A subordinate conjunction is frequently used to introduce a dependent clause.

Clauses can take on different roles in a sentence. A noun clause fulfills functions identical to a noun in a sentence. An ... [Find out more ...]

• What Are Conjunctions?

  Conjunctions form a basic part of speech in the English language. A simple definition of a conjunction is that it joins two parts of a sentence. Conjunctions can be used to link words, phrases, clauses, and sentences into one sentence. When conjunctions are used in a sentence, they can take ... [Find out more ...]

• What Are Verbs and Adverbs?

  Verbs and adverbs are two basic parts of speech in the English language. Both types of words are fundamental components of sentence structure. A verb is a word that shows action or a state of being. Verbs form the heart of a sentence. Every sentence requires one or more verbs ... [Find out more ...]

Here are some plain English writing tips to help you write more clearly and concisely:

Identify Your Audience

Think about why the reader wants to read your writing. Also identify people who will be interested in your writing, even if they are not directly affected. Write to everyone who is interested. And keep in mind your average readers’ level of understanding and comprehension.

Write in Active Voice

Voice is the form a verb takes to indicate whether its subject acts or is acted upon. When the subject of a verb does something (acts), the verb is in the active voice. When the subject of a verb receives the action (is ... [Find out more ...]

• Effective Writing Principles and Techniques

  Effective writing is much more than just knowing how to write and writing with correct grammar. It is writing that responds to the needs and interests of your readers. There are several guiding principles that can make your writing more effective. These describe the most crucial effective writing techniques. Consider ... [Find out more ...]

• How to Write in Plain English

  Good writers write in plain English to bring their writing to life. Plain English writing speaks directly to the audience and helps them to better grasp the meaning of the written text. Active voice, everyday words and short sentences are the distinguishing features of plain English. One characteristic of plain ... [Find out more ...]

One characteristic of plain English writing is the use of active voice. Sentences using an active voice are built on strong verbs. This tightens sentences and gives it a natural flow. Using an active voice helps readers to understand sentences quicker because this is how a person thinks and breaks down information. Sentences written in a passive voice require more mental steps to understand. Passive voice is not bad in all instances, but it should be used sparingly.

Personal pronouns are another feature that strengthens writing ... [Find out more ...]

• What is Plain English Writing?

  Plain English writing is a flexible and efficient writing style designed to be brief, clear and free of technical terminology. This writing style is commonly used in official government communication, including laws. Sir Ernest Arthur Gowers was credited for bringing the plain English to life. Gowers was a distinguished British ... [Find out more ...]

• Plain English Writing to Write Clearly and Concisely

  Plain English (sometimes referred to as plain language) is a generic term for communication styles that emphasize clarity, conciseness and the avoidance of technical language. Here are some plain English writing tips to help you write more clearly and concisely: Identify Your Audience Think about why the reader wants to ... [Find out more ...]

Sir Ernest Arthur Gowers was credited for bringing the plain English to life. Gowers was a distinguished British civil servant who was asked by the British Treasury to write a guide to show government officials how to avoid pretentious and excessively elaborate writing. He completed a writing guide and published it as “The Complete Plain Words” in 1954. Gowers’ writing guide has remained in print since its original publication.

The push to use plain English writing in the United States began in the 1970s. Congress passed The Paperwork Reduction Act in 1976 to condense and simplify the language used in ... [Find out more ...]

• How to Write in Plain English

  Good writers write in plain English to bring their writing to life. Plain English writing speaks directly to the audience and helps them to better grasp the meaning of the written text. Active voice, everyday words and short sentences are the distinguishing features of plain English. One characteristic of plain ... [Find out more ...]

• Plain English Writing to Write Clearly and Concisely

  Plain English (sometimes referred to as plain language) is a generic term for communication styles that emphasize clarity, conciseness and the avoidance of technical language. Here are some plain English writing tips to help you write more clearly and concisely: Identify Your Audience Think about why the reader wants to ... [Find out more ...]

Most people become so involved in the ‘how’ of writing that they forget what it is they want to communicate. Not knowing the purpose of what you are writing only make writing more difficult. The process itself is not what is difficult; it is your mind that makes writing complicated. Developing your effective writing skills can make writing much easier and more productive.

Take the time to choose a subject matter that is either of interest to you ... [Find out more ...]

• Effective Writing Tips to Write Effectively

  There are many benefits to write effectively. It is a lot easier to communicate your thoughts, feelings and emotions through effective writing. So how do you achieve this effectiveness? What should you look for when you write? Here are some writing tips to help you write more effectively. Be Clear ... [Find out more ...]

• Five Basic Rules of Effective Writing

  Effective writing is a writing skill that can be mastered through practice. You just have to understand a few basic rules. Here are five effective writing rules that can help you write more effectively. Know Your Topic Whatever you decide to write, do some research on the topic. It will ... [Find out more ...]

Know Your Topic

Whatever you decide to write, do some research on the topic. It will help you familiarize with the topic and generate writing ideas. It also provides information for your writing that is worthwhile to your readers.

Organize Your Thoughts

It is always helpful to create an outline of what you want to say first. When you are clear about what you want to say, it is much easier for you to write. You just need to find the right words to express them clearly in your writing. When you have well-organized ideas, you will find you ... [Find out more ...]

• Effective Writing Tips to Write Effectively

  There are many benefits to write effectively. It is a lot easier to communicate your thoughts, feelings and emotions through effective writing. So how do you achieve this effectiveness? What should you look for when you write? Here are some writing tips to help you write more effectively. Be Clear ... [Find out more ...]

• How to Develop Writing Skills to Write Effectively

  Developing your effective writing skills is easier than you think. In many cases, you can make significant improvement by applying simple adjustment to your individual writing process. To start off, you must remove yourself from the whole process of writing, thus being able to actually figure out what it is ... [Find out more ...]

Be Clear About What You Want to Say

Before you write, spend a little bit of time to think about what exactly it is that you want to say to your audience. There is no need to think about the words at this point. You are just formulating the purpose of your writing. When your mind is not clear about what you are writing, it is easily reflected in your writing. Your readers will find your writing confusing, and that makes your writing less ... [Find out more ...]

• Five Basic Rules of Effective Writing

  Effective writing is a writing skill that can be mastered through practice. You just have to understand a few basic rules. Here are five effective writing rules that can help you write more effectively. Know Your Topic Whatever you decide to write, do some research on the topic. It will ... [Find out more ...]

• Writing Tips to Improve Your English Writing Quickly

  Knowing how to write well in English is certainly a useful skill to have. Many people think mastering English writing is difficult. Hence, they give up after trying for a little while. Don’t lose hope! Here are some writing tips that will help you improve your English writing tremendously in ... [Find out more ...]

Many people write without considerations of their audience. When we hear the word “audience”, we usually think of movies or television shows. But every form of communication has an audience, and it is most important that writers must understand their audience. And write at the reading and comprehension level of the intended audience. Yet even some very smart individuals are not effective writers because they are not writing for their audience.

Say, For example, an instruction ... [Find out more ...]

• Five Basic Rules of Effective Writing

  Effective writing is a writing skill that can be mastered through practice. You just have to understand a few basic rules. Here are five effective writing rules that can help you write more effectively. Know Your Topic Whatever you decide to write, do some research on the topic. It will ... [Find out more ...]

• Five Writing Tips to Become a Better Writer

  Becoming a better writer does not happen overnight. It takes a lot of discipline and dedication. Improving oneself as a writer is something that has to be done on daily basis. Practice is the key to become a better writer. However, there are a few things every writer can do ... [Find out more ...]

• How to Improve Your English Writing Skills

  Regardless of how well-educated you are, you are not going get the respect you deserve unless you write well in English. English writing does not necessarily have to be prose, poetry, or essays. Good English writing can be basic means of communication such as formal and informal letters, official directives, ... [Find out more ...]

• Writing Well in the English Language Can Be Tricky

  The English language is a very tricky language to master. Learning to read and understand English may be easier than most think. However, learning to writing well in the English language can be very challenging. It could take many years, even decades, of practice in order to be proficient in ... [Find out more ...]