Writing Rules or Writing Rocks!
(brief part writing guidelines)
Theory ThingsWilliam Wieland
Correct Chord (You may omit the 5th of root position chords.)
Sonorous Spacing — Octave or Less between S - A and A - T
Soprano — Lyrical Melody (mostly stepwise) on the treble staff
    (avoid ledger lines for a Reasonable Range)
Alto — Nearest Note (often the same tone) between soprano and tenor (can go below middle C)
Tenor — Nearest Note (often the same tone) between alto and bass (can go above middle C)
Bass — Articulates the harmony (often leaps) on the bass staff
    (avoid ledger lines for a Reasonable Range)
NO Perfect Parallels or parallel dissonances (P4 is the exception)
In authentic and deceptive cadences, resolve scale degree 7 to 8 and scale degree 4 to 3.
Resolve chord 7ths down by step.
Do NOT double active tones, i.e. the leading tone, altered tones or 7ths of 7th chords.
Use second inversion triads sparingly — only 4 types are allowed.
vii°6
 
( NO vii° or vii°6
4
 )  — usually double the bass
Part Writing Tips
More Voice-Leading Guidelines (for the fastidious)
Humor (or Wisdom)
Grading Rubric