Main point

• What is most important to the reader?

• What draws attention?

Sentence

The subject and its action should be clear and close.

Use non-verb verbal only when the action is the focal point

Unless intentional, put the sentence’s main point as soon as possible. Avoid cognitive load. Don’t ask the user to “Stay Put.”

“Stay put” like “Given…” is ok, provided the context was built on the previous sentences, and is clear by now

However, sometime it’s good to hint the reader what next: “Before x. After y”. On “before”, the reader anticipates what comes after

The Reader knows a lot. Don’t waste time to iterate

Meaningful, tangible way. Don’t use formal or enterprise language

The main info should not be slipped as background or context (relative, subordinate)

Single idea or thought

Make sure that subordinates and adjuncts are not part of the main point. Anything that can be dropped grammatically should not include the main point

What is the head word in each clause or phrase?

What is the predicate?

Is there predicative adjunct (here, stupid, part of the predicate of them all):\

“At breakfast on Thursday she bored them all stupid with flying tips she’d gotten out of a library book called Quidditch Through the Ages.”

Phrase

Look for the head word