Don't go overboard on lists and outlines. With the inten-tion of complying with the law as closely as possible mimicking legal language. While it may make a policy sound more authoritative, it can also rob it of its effectiveness by discouraging the uninitiated reader. One way of humanizing a legal policy is by referring directly to the people involved and the actions they should take. Use active voice where possible.
Many writers use the passive voice to sound more authorita-tive and impersonal.
But using only the passive voice can make a policy sound unnecessarily dull and pompous. Always revise your first draft. It is only by going over what you have written two or three times that all unnecessary words can be eliminated. A table of contents and documentation format, which address accrediting, licensing, and regulatory requirements were illustrated. Accreditation standards were referenced and a pre-survey checklist was provided to highlight specific areas needing policies and procedures.