Good writing is lean, clean, and easy to read

Great read. Another resources that helped me was George Orwell's essay [1].

I think the following rules will cover most cases:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.

3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.

5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

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[1] https://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/politics/english/e_poli...

I'm surprised to see no mention of the classic style guide by William Strunk and E.B. White, The Elements of Style (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style), here. Mostly because its best-known rule is Strunk's famous admonition: "Omit needless words."

I shall add my favourite bugbear to this wise list

Don’t reach out; contact.

I agree, especially for signage.

Although don't most university's encourage the opposite?

Also short comments seem unconstructive online.

This is great! I read this immediately after writing and sharing a blog post on HN

Tell that to Arundhati Roy.