Wideman's Principle

Using the "Wideman 3-4-5 Principle"

1. Divide your composition


• Into 3, 4 or 5 major topics
2. Head each topic, and limit content

• To 3, 4 or 5 sub-topics
3. Limit each sub-topic

• To 3, 4 or 5 paragraphs
4. Limit each paragraph

• To only 3, 4 or 5 sentences at the most
5. Limit each sentence

• To no more than 34 or 35 words

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