Fixing the Flaws in the Ten Principles of Clear Writing
http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pcs/newsletter/archive/mar2008/pcsnews_mar2008_principles.php

Yaffe, Philip
IEEE PCS
2008

Abstract:

More importantly, most lists of ten principles of clear writing are not really principles at all, but rather tips and technique. Understanding why you are doing something, i.e., the benefit you will gain, helps ensure that you will actually do it and do it consistently. Too often, when we are told only what to do, we follow the instruction half-heartedly, inconsistently, or not at all.