Short sentences and simple sentence structure

The basic principle of STE is to make texts easy to read and understand. Thus, you must write short sentences and use simple sentence structure.

In STE, there are different rules for how to write sentences for procedures (Section 5) and for how to write them for descriptive text (Section 6).

Rule 4.1 Write short and clear sentences.

Write short, clear sentences that give specific information.

In procedures, give short, clear instructions and address the reader directly.

Example:

Non-STE: To remove the cover assembly (9), first remove the four screws (10) that attach the cover (11) to the housing (12), and then, after taking the cover (11) off the housing (12), remove the preformed packing (13) and throw it away.

STE: A. Remove the cover assembly (9) as follows:
1. Remove the four screws (10) that attach the cover (11) to the housing (12).
2. Remove the cover (11) from the housing (12).
3. Remove and discard the preformed packing (13).

In descriptive writing, make sure that each sentence has only one topic. Then, in the sentences that follow, gradually give information to develop that topic.

Example:

Non-STE: The side stay assembly has two folding toggles hinged together and attached with hinges between the main gear strut and the side stay bracket.
(This sentence contains two topics which are connected by the underlined conjunction “and”. To make this information clearer, you can write a new sentence for each topic.)

STE: The side stay assembly has two folding toggles. The folding toggles are attached together with hinges. These togglesare also attached with hinges between the main gear strut and the side stay bracket.

Make sure that your text is not abstract and that it clearly shows how to do a task or how a system operates. Be specific. Do not give vague, general information.

Examples:
Non-STE: Different temperatures will change the cure time.
(This is an abstract sentence because it is not specific. It does not tell the reader how to decrease the cure time.)
STE: Increase the temperature to decrease the cure time.
(This sentence tells the reader exactly what to do to decrease the cure time.)
Non-STE: No leaks permitted.
(This sentence is not very helpful. It does not tell the reader what to do.)
STE: Make sure that there are no leaks.
(This sentence directly tells the reader what to do.)