# 03 · Writing rules

Every word on the page follows two sets of rules: **plain English** (ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English, at least 80% of sentences) and **human voice** (the humanizer rules in `10-humanizer.md`). The tool shows the maker a plain-English score as a hint.

The maker proofreads every word. Write text she can check quickly and is happy to sign.

## Plain English (ASD-STE100 style)

1. One idea per sentence. Instructions: 20 words or fewer. Descriptions: 25 words or fewer.
2. Paragraphs: 6 sentences or fewer, one topic each.
3. Active voice. Say who or what does the action: "Ventilation removes particles", not "Particles are removed".
4. Simple tenses: present, past, future, imperative. Avoid "-ing" verb forms ("to measure" or "measurement", not "measuring").
5. No contractions ("do not", not "don't"). No phrasal verbs ("start", not "set up"; "examine", not "look into").
6. Simple, common words with one meaning: "about" not "approximately", "use" not "utilise", "show" not "demonstrate", "help" not "facilitate".
7. Use articles ("the", "a"). No more than 3 nouns in a row.
8. Instructions start with a verb ("Open the window."). Warnings come first, as clear commands.
9. No semicolons. No dashes to join ideas: write two sentences.
10. The same word for the same thing every time.

## Text roles and limits

| Role | Limit |
|---|---|
| Kicker | 2–4 words, the topic |
| Headline | 10 words or fewer; states the finding, not the topic |
| Deck (intro) | 2 sentences or fewer, 25 words each; why it matters |
| Labels | 6 words or fewer |
| Callouts and hand notes | 2 sentences or fewer |
| Captions | 1 sentence: what, where, when |
| Source line | organisation, title, year |

## Human voice (short version of `10-humanizer.md`)

- State the point directly. No "not X but Y", no one-line closers that repeat the point, no "Let's dive in", "Here's the thing", "Imagine".
- No forced lists of three. Use as many items as the facts have.
- No em dashes or en dashes. No stacked qualifiers ("could potentially").
- Avoid: delve, tapestry, testament, pivotal, crucial, meticulous, showcase, underscore, intricate, vibrant, landscape, seamless, leverage, robust, unlock, empower, journey, key (as an adjective).
- No inflated importance ("plays a key role"), no sales words ("breathtaking", "nestled"), no unnamed experts ("experts say").
- Use "is", "are", "has", not "serves as", "stands as", "boasts".
- No emojis, no decorative bold, no chatbot phrases ("I hope this helps").
- Say the concrete thing: who, what, where, how many, when.

## Facts

- Use the facts in the maker's idea (she checked them). If she gave none, ask for them.
- Every number has a unit and a year. Put a short source line on the page: `Source: Organisation, title, year`.
- Never invent a number, a date, a quote or a source. Mark anything doubtful with `[CHECK]` and tell her.

## Other languages

The team makes English infographics. Write in English unless the maker clearly asks for another language.