MY STE BUDDYASD-STE100 Writing Rules
The Complete Guide to Simplified Technical English Writing Standards
The ASD-STE100 Issue 9 document includes a comprehensive list of 53 writing rules designed to ensure clear, consistent, and accessible technical communication
Rule Categories Summary
📋 General Principles: 12 fundamental writing guidelines
📝 Nouns & Articles: 8 rules for proper noun usage
⚡ Verbs: 8 guidelines for clear action words
👤 Pronouns: 7 rules for inclusive language
🎯 Adjectives & Adverbs: 6 modifier guidelines
🔗 Prepositions & Conjunctions: 5 connection rules
🏗️ Structure: 7 organization principles
✅ Master ASD-STE100 Standards
These 53 rules form the foundation of Simplified Technical English, ensuring your documentation is clear, consistent, and accessible to a global audience.
📚 53 Comprehensive Rules covering all aspects of technical writing
🎯 6 Focused Categories organized for easy reference and implementation
🌍 International Standard recognized across aerospace and technical industries
📚 For complete documentation and official specifications, visit: Official ASD-STE100 Website
📋
General Principles
Fundamental guidelines for clear and effective technical writing
1
Keep sentences short
Aim for 20 words or fewer to ensure clarity and readability. Short sentences are easier to understand and translate.
✓ Good: Check the oil level. Add oil if necessary.
✗ Avoid: Check the oil level and if it is below the minimum mark on the dipstick, add the appropriate grade of oil as specified in the maintenance manual.
2
Use simple sentence structure
Avoid complex or compound sentences that can confuse readers.
✓ Good: Remove the cover. Clean the filter.
✗ Avoid: Remove the cover and clean the filter, but make sure that you do not damage the seal.
3
Use approved words only
Use words from the STE dictionary to maintain consistency.
✓ Good: Use "start" instead of "commence", "initiate", or "begin"
✗ Avoid: Using synonyms not in the approved dictionary
4
Use correct and consistent terminology
Use the same term for the same concept throughout your document.
✓ Good: Always use "control panel" throughout the document
✗ Avoid: Alternating between "control panel", "dashboard", and "interface"
5
Use active voice
Makes instructions clearer and easier to follow.
✓ Good: The technician removes the bolt.
✗ Avoid: The bolt is removed by the technician.
6
Use imperative mood for instructions
Directly tell the user what to do for clear guidance.
✓ Good: Remove the cover.
✗ Avoid: The cover should be removed.
7
Use articles where needed
For clarity and grammatical correctness.
✓ Good: Turn the valve to the closed position.
✗ Avoid: Turn valve to closed position.
8
Use correct verb tenses
Prefer present tense for factual and general instructions.
✓ Good: The system operates at 120V.
✗ Avoid: The system will be operating at 120V.
📝
Nouns & Articles
Rules for proper noun usage and clear subject identification
13
Use singular nouns when possible
Singular nouns are clearer and easier to translate. Use plural only when necessary.
✓ Good: Each bolt must be tight.
✗ Avoid: All bolts must be tight.
14
Avoid noun clusters
Multiple nouns together can be confusing. Use prepositions or restructure sentences.
✓ Good: The cover of the fuel tank
✗ Avoid: The fuel tank cover
⚡
Verbs
Guidelines for clear action words and proper tense usage
21
Use helper verbs correctly
Use modal verbs (can, must, will) appropriately to express obligation, possibility, and future actions.
✓ Good: You must wear protective equipment.
✗ Avoid: You should wear protective equipment.
👤
Pronouns
Rules for inclusive language and clear pronoun usage
29
Use "you" for instructions
Address the reader directly when giving instructions. This makes procedures clearer and more personal.
✓ Good: You must check the pressure.
✗ Avoid: The operator must check the pressure.
🎯
Adjectives & Adverbs
Modifier guidelines for precise and unambiguous descriptions
36
Use adjectives and adverbs carefully
Use modifiers only when necessary for clarity. Avoid subjective or vague descriptions.
✓ Good: Tighten the bolt to 25 Nm.
✗ Avoid: Tighten the bolt very tight.
🏗️
Structure
Organization principles for logical document flow and hierarchy
47
Use parallel structure
Keep similar elements in lists and procedures in the same grammatical form for consistency.
✓ Good: Remove the cover. Clean the part. Install the cover.
✗ Avoid: Remove the cover. Cleaning of the part. Cover installation.
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