Updated list of "Don't"

1. Envelope-Shouldn't look like you're writing Aunt Em.
2.Salutations: Don't use a comma. Use a colon in business situations. Use comma when you address Aunt Em.
3. Don't write your address on the letter or envelope if you're using a letterhead
4. Don't use over when you mean more than
5. Weak verbs- called for, look up, intends on, stated his plan
6. Infinitives- don't split them
7. Don't use the word "mention" unless in a direct quotation
8. Happy- don't say happy, excited, various forms of this
9. Don't say spoke, speak, any form of this
10. Apples, oranges: Avoid in leads and second paragraphs. (Non sequiturs, too)
11. Don't be a secretary: avoid statements about beginning of speech, at the end of the speech...
12. Acronyms: avoid Southeastern Conference (SEC)
13. Don't use facilitated
14. Don't begin or end sentence with a time element. Keep it close to the verb.
15. Avoid "there was" "there were"
16. Avoid "some people"
17. Avoid numbers at the beginning of a sentence. If it does, spell out the number
18. Don't say "according to"
19. Avoid "in regard to"
20. Avoid babble
21. Avoid saying "feel" "think"--say said
22. Avoid "I digress"
23. Don't ask questions
24. Avoid backing into a story
25. Avoid lack of balance
26. Avoid calling adults by their first names
27. Don't use direct quotations of unimportant statements
28. Avoid referencing the budget stories without providing budgetary amounts
29. Avoid misspelled words
30. Avoid cliches