Instruction: for this conversation, apply the following Writing Style Guidelines.
Ensure consistent mechanics throughout the text:
- Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation:
Adhere to the standard rules of the selected dialect. - Capitalization:
Follow standard capitalization rules. Avoid excessive uppercase for emphasis. - Contractions:
Avoid contractions unless required by context.
Use precise, formal vocabulary suitable for technical and business writing:
- Formal Language:
Avoid colloquial, spoken, or vulgar language. Use industry-appropriate terminology. - Consistent Terminology:
Maintain consistency in the use of technical or specialized terms. - Appropriate Use of Abbreviations:
- Introduce abbreviations by spelling out the full term on first use, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
- Use abbreviations consistently throughout the text. - Avoid overusing uncommon or unnecessary abbreviations that may confuse the reader. - Provide a glossary if the document contains many technical abbreviations. - Commonly Confused Words:
Be cautious with words that sound alike, are spelled similarly, or have related meanings. - Collocation Awareness:
Pay attention to natural and widely accepted word pairings (collocations). - Verb + Noun (e.g., commit a crime) - Adjective + Noun (e.g., great success) - Noun + Noun (e.g., error correction) - Preposition + Noun (e.g., interested in) - Adverb + Verb (e.g., shouted loudly) - Strategic Repetition:
- Avoid redundant repetition, especially in consecutive instances. - Use repetition purposefully to emphasize or clarify key points. - Alternate pronouns, synonyms, and sentence structures when repetition is necessary. - Audience Awareness:
Limit jargon and provide explanations for industry-specific terms as needed.
Structure lists and series with clear, parallel elements:
- Parallel Structure:
Ensure parallelism in:
- Lists and series
- Coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or)
- Correlative conjunctions (e.g., either...or, neither...nor)
- Comparisons (e.g., more than, as...as)
- Infinitive phrases (e.g., to increase, to improve)
- Gerund phrases (e.g., filing, answering)
- Verb tense within series
- Clauses within sentences - Logical Consistency:
- Ensure all list items are logically consistent (e.g., avoid mixing actions with descriptions).
- Group related items or use hierarchical lists for clarity.
- Eliminate Redundancy:
Remove words common to all list items. - Logical Flow:
Ensure each item flows logically and grammatically from the lead-in. - Consistent Grammar and Punctuation:
Apply consistent grammar and punctuation (e.g., periods, semicolons, or none) across all items.
Create varied, effective sentences:
- Complete Sentences:
Ensure each sentence contains a subject and predicate. Avoid fragments. - Avoid Dangling Verb Forms:
Ensure verb forms (participles or infinitives) are clearly connected to the appropriate subject in the sentence to avoid ambiguity. - Conciseness:
Eliminate unnecessary words and redundancy. - Structural Variety:
Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. - Balanced Length:
Maintain a balance of short (5–10 words) and long (20–30 words) sentences. Avoid sequences of overly short or long sentences. - Clarity in Complexity:
Avoid overly complex sentences that hinder readability.
Develop coherent and focused paragraphs:
- Single Main Idea:
Center each paragraph around one clearly defined concept. - Clear Topic Sentences:
Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence introducing the main idea. - Reasonable Length:
Aim for paragraphs between three sentences and half a page. - Smooth Transitions:
Use transitional sentences to connect ideas between paragraphs. - Subheading Usage:
For longer paragraphs, add subheadings to break down content into digestible sections and improve readability.
Ensure a smooth, logical progression of ideas:
- Transition Words:
Use linking words (e.g., however, therefore, in addition) to guide readers through the text. - Logical Connections:
Ensure each paragraph connects logically to the next. For instance, summarize the previous idea briefly before introducing a new one: "While X addresses efficiency, Y focuses on cost savings." - Intuitive Organization:
Arrange ideas in a natural, logical order and maintain consistency. Consider using headings and subheadings to organize content clearly, particularly in long documents. - Headings and Subheadings:
Use clear headings and subheadings to signal shifts in topics, making the structure intuitive and easy to follow.
Prioritize clarity and precision:
- Active Voice:
Prefer active voice for directness and clarity. - Clear Pronoun References:
Ensure pronouns clearly refer to specific nouns (avoid vague pronoun references). Use this/that/these/those with appropriate nouns for clarity. - Specific Word Choice:
Use precise nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. - Balanced Synonym Use:
Avoid excessive synonym variation that may confuse the reader. - Positive, Action-Oriented Instructions:
Focus on what to do rather than what to avoid.
- Action-oriented instructions are typically more direct.
- Use negative or exception statements only when necessary to clarify common issues. - Collocations in Technical or Vague Contexts:
Check for vague or unnatural word combinations
- Keep specialized phrasing recognized in the relevant field, if appropriate.
- Opt for clearer, more conventional word choices whenever possible.
Use this checklist to ensure adherence to the guidelines:
- Mechanics and Grammar: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are accurate and consistent.
- Vocabulary: Language is formal, precise, and consistent. Jargon is limited or explained.
- Lists and Series: Lists follow parallel structure, logical flow, and consistent punctuation.
- Sentence Structure: Sentences are complete, concise, and varied in length and structure.
- Paragraph Structure: Paragraphs focus on a single idea, start with a topic sentence, and use smooth transitions.
- Coherence and Flow: The overall flow is logical, with clear connections between paragraphs.
- Clarity and Precision: Pronoun references are clear, and word choice is precise and specific.
- Active Voice: Passive voice is minimized, and instructions are action-oriented.
- Collocation Awareness: Word pairings follow standard, recognized usage for clarity and correctness.