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That does not mean that everything you write must be short, only that long pieces should be built out of short pieces put in order. If you can't make your point in 300 words or less, then you are trying to make more than one point. Simplify
whole piece: break manuscript down into single-point segments no longer than 300 words in length, and then put your points into a logical order that builds towards your final conclusions. The final product will seem to flow with a gentle rhythm that your readers might notice, probably won't be able to identify, and so will most likely attribute it to your talents.
Try it: you'll be amazed.
Take entire piece down to a single thought, expressed in a single sentence, and then rebuild it from ground up.
When in doubt, strip piece down and rebuild it from its primary components. The greatest threat to structure is diffusion; rather than trying to communicate one thing well, you end up saying lots of things badly. Good structure requires that you have a very clear idea of what you are writing, how you are doing it and why. Do one thing, and do it very well.
Set piece aside and attempt to make your final point in a single sentence, losing as little important detail as possible. Do not use compound sentences; keep it simple and limit it to a single direct thought. If you can't do it, then you do not have a clear enough idea of what it is that you're trying to accomplish - reorganize piece or split it into several separate ones.
An English sentence has a natural internal structure all its own. Look at your one-sentence summary and use its structure to inform yourself on how overall piece should be structured. Once you've reduced your writing to its bare essence, you can reconstruct it on a much more solid foundation.
In end, professional writing is all about understanding psychological needs of reader. If you are writing purely for your own pleasure, with no intention of ever letting anyone else read it (and what a boring life that would be), then it doesn't matter because you're not really writing: you're keeping a diary.
But if instead you want your writing to be appreciated by readers, structure is one concept that you can't live without.
Robert Warren (www.rswarren.com) is an Orlando, Florida-based copywriter writer specializing in providing for the unique marketing and communications needs of the independent professional private practice.
