Want to produce powerful purposeful prose? Business writing, too – I just couldn’t resist a touch of alliteration.

Here are some great tips from Mike Duerksen, who blogs at NonprofitPR, and shared this 18-point checklist with readers on Ragan.com.

Before finalizing any copy, ask yourself the following questions: Did I …

• Consider my reader’s perspective?

• State clearly the purpose of my document/article?

• Write an interesting opening?

• Write with a “you” focus where appropriate? [This is especially important for nonprofit copywriting.]

• Write concisely?

• Avoid bureaucratic jargon?

• Use transitions within and between paragraphs?

• Use interesting headings that explain the section to follow?

• Use parallel sentence structure in sentences and lists?

• Write in active voice?

• Use action verbs?

• Make verbs agree with their subjects?

• Make pronouns agree with their antecedents?

• Check for tricky singulars (neither, either, everyone, etc.)?

• Use gender-free construction?

• Check for typographical errors?

• Double-check the opening?

• Make it visually appealing through layout and white space?

Check out http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/44329.aspx for this article and many others that will help you with writing, editing and more.