Writing Etiquette

There are many rules that have been drilled into my head about things that you should never do as a writer. First you have your basic rules that usually revolve around grammatical expectations such as avoiding run- on sentences, making sure the subject and the verb agree, using proper punctation, etc. Then you have more advanced expectations in terms of the fluidity of your writing, the format of your writing, introductory and conclusive sentences and expectations for writing prose and style.

I think these rules are both necessary and helpful in writing. There is a certain degree of structure and formality that is necessary for readers to understand the writer and to be able to discern what point they are trying to make. For a reader to have to struggle to understand what the writer is saying and then venture to understand what the writer is writing about would be an unnecessary battle.  That said, I think there are certain situations where these rules can be tossed out the window for the sake of creativity and expression. However, the majority of the time, it is necessary for writing to follow rules to improve understanding and comprehension.