How to write

Writing clearly–so far as arrangement of words is concerned–is a mere matter of adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs, placed and repeated according to definite rules. Even obscure or illogical thought can be clearly expressed; indeed, the transparent medium of clear writing is not least beneficial when it reveals the illogical nature of the meaning beneath it.

1. Use words in their proper sense.

The following examples are often confused -

“apparent” and “evident”

“conscious” and “aware”

“unnatural” and “supernatural”

“transpire” and “occur”

“circumstance” and “event”

“reverse” and “converse”

“eliminate” and “elicit”

 More examples of The Right Words

Do not use of the same word in different senses. “It is in my power to refuse your request, and since I have power to do this, I may lawfully do it.” Here the second “power” is used for “authority.”

2. Avoid exaggerations.

The boundless plains furnished inexhaustible supplies of corn, that would have almost sufficed for
twice the population.”

Here “inexhaustible” is inconsistent with the rest of the statement “almost sufficed.”  The words
“unprecedented”, “incalculable”, “very” and “stupendous” are often used loosely.

3. Avoid useless circumlocution and “fine writing.”

4. Be careful in the use of “not … and”, “any”, “but”, “only”, “not… or” and “that.”

“I will accept any offer.” Does this mean every, or a single? Use “every” or “a single.”

“I do not intend to help you, because you are my friend. ” As stated, this sentence means “I intend not to help you, and my reason for not helping you is, because you are my friend.” It could mean ”I intend to help you, not because you are my friend (but because you are in need).  If this is the inteneded meaning, ”not” should to be separated from intend.

“I intend to help you, not because you are my friend.” By distinctly marking the limits to which the influence of “not” extends, the ambiguity may be removed.

“Only” is often used ambiguously for alone. “You only advise me to wait.”  As stated, the meaning is
“You only advise, instead of helping” but in similar sentences “you only” is often used for “you alone.”

When “or” is preceded by a negative, as “I do not want sugar or honey.” “or” is used like “and”.

“I do not want sugar and honey” instead of “I do not want either sugar, nor do I want honey.”

The same ambiguity attends “not … and” - “I do not see Thomas and John” is commonly used for “I see neither Thomas nor John” but it might mean, “I do not see them both–I see only one of them.”

5. Be careful in the use of ambiguous words, ie “certain.”

6. Be careful in the use of “he”, “it”, “they” and “these”.

“He told his friend that if he did not feel better in half an hour he thought he had better return.” 

Two distinct uses of it may be noted. “It” when referring to something that precedes, may be called “retrospective;” but when to something that follows, “prospective.” For example ”Avoid indiscriminate
charity: it is a crime,” “it” is retrospective, whereas “It is a crime to give indiscriminately,” “it” is prospective.

The prospective “it” if productive of ambiguity, can often be omitted by using the infinitive as a subject: “To give indiscriminately is a crime.”

7. Report a speech in the First Person, where necessary to avoid ambiguity.

Instead of “He told his friend that if he did not feel better…” write “He said to his friend, ‘If I (or you)
don’t feel better..’”

8. Use the Third Person where the exact words of the speaker are not intended to be given.

9. Omission of “that” in a speech in the Third Person.

Even when a speech is reported in the third person, “that” need not always be inserted before the dependent verb. Instead of “He said that he was upset that his story was not believed,” write, “‘He was upset that his story was not believed.”

10. When you use a Participle implying “when”, “while”, “though” or “that” show clearly by the context what is implied.

It is better to use “men walking” to mean “men when they walk.” If the relative is meant, use “men that walk,” instead of the participle.

  (1) “While he was walking on the road he fell.”
  (2) “Because he was walking on the ice he fell.”          

When the participle precedes the subject, it generally implies a cause:

“Seeing this, he retired.” Otherwise it generally has its proper participial meaning,

“He retired, keeping his emotions in check.” 

 Source: ABBOTT, EDWIN A., M.A., HOW TO WRITE CLEARLY - RULES AND EXERCISES ON ENGLISH COMPOSITION.