error · Section 6: Descriptive writing
Rule 6.3: Write short sentences — maximum 25 words in descriptive text
In descriptive writing, use a maximum of 25 words per sentence. Descriptive text is permitted a higher word count than procedural text because its subject matter is inherently more complex, but any sentence over the limit must still be split into shorter sentences.
What a checker looks for
A clear deviation from the rule.
- Count the words in each sentence of descriptive text and flag any sentence with more than 25 words.
- Within a flagged sentence, identify coordinated clauses joined by 'and,' 'which,' or a list of commas as likely split points.
What this rule does not cover
- This 25-word limit is specific to descriptive text; do not apply it to procedural instruction steps, which have their own (lower) sentence-length limit.
How to fix it
Split the over-length sentence at a natural clause boundary into two or more sentences of 25 words or fewer, adding a key word or connecting word (rule 6.2) between them to preserve the logical link.
Constraints on the fix
- Preserve every technical fact from the original sentence — do not shorten by deleting content.
Examples
Not STE: A smartphone is a cellular telephone that has an integrated computer and many other functions, such as an operating system, internet browsing as well as the ability to run software applications.
STE: A smartphone is a cellular telephone that has an integrated computer and many other functions. It includes an operating system and an internet browser, and it can also operate software applications.
Word limit
| Maximum words | Applies to | Excludes |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | descriptive-writing | — |
Related rules
Where this fits in AI governance
A rule a checker can test is a rule a model can be held to. The same discipline, on the governance side of this site.
- Explainability
Descriptive writing rules exist so that a description can be verified against the thing described. The same demand, made of a model. - Misinformation and confabulation
The register entry for text that reads correctly and is not. - Output validation guardrails
A controlled language is a checkable output constraint. This is the control that treats model output as something to be checked rather than trusted.
Source
ASD-STE100 Issue 9, Section 6 - Descriptive writing, page 1-6-4.
This page is commentary and does not reproduce the standard. About this rule pack.