In writing, what is critical to avoid for clarity?

• A. Concise and direct sentences
• B. Overusing adjectives and adverbs
• C. Run-on sentences
• D. Alliteration

Answer: (C)

Run-on sentences are critical to avoid in writing for the sake of clarity because they can confuse the reader and obscure the intended message. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are improperly connected without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions, leading to a lack of clear structure. This can make it difficult for readers to follow the writer's thoughts, as the ideas become jumbled together without necessary breaks or transitions.

Clear writing often relies on well-formed sentences that allow readers to process information effectively. By keeping sentences appropriately structured, writers can convey their ideas more straightforwardly. While the less preferred options may contribute to unclear writing, run-on sentences specifically pose a unique challenge as they can lead to misinterpretation and fatigue for the reader due to their complexity and lack of pacing.