{"id":88097,"date":"2022-12-31T18:41:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-31T22:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=88097"},"modified":"2023-01-03T10:46:36","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T14:46:36","slug":"rules-for-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/rules-for-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"Rules for Writing: What to Know (& When to Break the Rules)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Which writing rules should you follow? Which ones may you break\u2014and when should you break them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The editing process includes applying writing \u201crules\u201d to your piece, but Ann Handley emphasizes that the rules are secondary to your purpose<\/a> and that you can always break the rules if it suits your piece. She does, however, list a few rules that you’d be wise to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn about these rules for writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Rules for Writing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Handley offers a wide array of rules for writing that you may follow at your own discretion. She specifies that the rules you learned in school don\u2019t necessarily apply to writing as a brand. <\/strong>Sentence fragments, one-sentence paragraphs, splitting infinitives, and ending sentences in prepositions are all fair game for your writing as long as they’re used strategically and don\u2019t interfere with the reader\u2019s ability to understand what you\u2019re saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Breaking the rules of writing can be a tricky proposition. As with most rules, you must understand the rules of writing to break them well<\/a>. The reason we have the rules is to make language easier to understand, so, if your rule-breaking muddles the meaning of your writing, you should correct them. However, intentional, controlled rule-breaking can add style and personality to your writing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some specific rules for writing that Handley advises you to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n