warning · Section 6: Descriptive writing
Rule 6.5: Make sure that each paragraph has only one topic
Each paragraph in descriptive text must cover exactly one topic. The topic sentence — usually containing a key word and/or a connecting word or phrase — states that topic, and every other sentence in the paragraph must relate to it; do not combine two or more distinct topics in the same paragraph.
What a checker looks for
Usually a deviation, and context can excuse it.
- Identify the topic sentence of each paragraph, then check whether every subsequent sentence in that paragraph still relates to that same topic; flag paragraphs where a sentence introduces an unrelated topic.
- Flag a paragraph that cannot be summarized by a single topic statement because it actually covers two or more distinct subjects.
What this rule does not cover
- A paragraph may cover several related sub-points as long as they are all part of one larger, singular topic — this is not a violation.
How to fix it
Split the paragraph at the point where the topic changes, and give the new paragraph its own topic sentence introducing the new subject.
Constraints on the fix
- Relocate off-topic sentences to an appropriate paragraph rather than deleting the information they contain.
Examples
Not STE: The Instrument Landing System (the system) on the aircraft shows data that helps the pilot during the approach to the runway. This system shows the pilot the deviations from the localizer course and the glideslope path. This data about deviations from the localizer course and glideslope path comes from two VHF transceivers. These transceivers transmit this data to Air Traffic Control.
STE: The Instrument Landing System (the system) on the aircraft shows data that helps the pilot during the approach to the runway. This system shows the pilot the deviations from the localizer course and the glideslope path. This data about deviations from the localizer course and glideslope path comes from two VHF transceivers. These transceivers transmit this data to Air Traffic Control.
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 1-6-6.
This page is commentary and does not reproduce the standard. About this rule pack.