Page:NARA Style Guide.pdf/12

 ::: It is her opinion that there are several issues that need to be resolved.
 * She believes that several issues need to be resolved.


 * 1.3.6 Use contractions when appropriate.


 * When appropriate, use contractions to foster a conversational tone. While contractions make text less formal, very few documents are purely formal. (An exception is the wedding invitation, in which even the number of the street address is spelled out.)


 * This office will put forth utmost effort to accommodate the needs of researchers.
 * Better: We'll do our best to accommodate your research needs.
 * It is the hope of everyone at the Hoover Library that researchers have benefited from their visit.
 * Better: We hope you've enjoyed your visit.
 * Note: Be consistent within a given document and avoid informality when informality is inappropriate. Press releases, public announcements, letters to individuals, and information packets are good candidates for using contractions. Official policy statements and directives can be more formal.

1.4 Nouns and pronouns
 * 1.4.1 Use everyday words.
 * Clarity begins with the choice of words. When a writer describes an elevator as a vertical transportation system, or refers to a leak as a moisture event, clarity goes out the door. Rather than using subsequent to, use after.
 * Rather than taking a proactive position vis-à-vis the problematic situation, the writer anticipates the problem.
 * Write to communicate, not to impress. Avoid unnecessarily complicated language used to impress, rather than inform, your audience. That doesn't mean you need to avoid necessary technical terms, if your audience is familiar with them.

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