Parallels Strunk & White's Elements of Style. Who knew there was so much similarity between writing code and writing prose?

Omit needless words.

Write in a way that comes easily and naturally to you, using words and phrases that come readily to hand.

It is always a good idea to reread your writing later and ruthlessly delete the excess.

Avoid the elaborate, the pretentious, the coy, and the cute. Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able.