Choose a publication or presentation style appropriate to the subject and audience. Correct spelling, punctuation, and pronunciation DO matter. Carefully choose and place words to enhance communication and prevent confusion. Use parallel construction for compound elements, comparisons, and lists. Develop sentences that are clear, concise, and complete, containing both a subject and a verb.
Ensure paragraphs are coherent and begin with a topic sentence.
Begin all reports and presentations with a focused introduction, flow from one major idea to another in the body, and end with a meaningful summary or conclusion. Limit the number of major points you want to make to three or four. This section contains links to a web page containing a few of the more common errors and sub-standard usages that you should look for and correct during the editing process. Avoid the lack of subject-verb agreement. See Blair , sect.