I have been looking for some help regarding a linguistics problem and would like some help solving, finding the information I am looking for.

I took two linguistics courses in college as electives many years ago, graduated in 1987. The college I went to was Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago Il. and the professor's name was Richards/Richardson. A "strange" professor and yet very brilliant in his teachings. In one of the courses that I took he posted on the board a "mathematical" formula for speaking/writting a sentence properly. There were 10 steps that were part of the sentance but not all had to be used. There had to be certain steps to make a proper sentence flow. I have lost the notes from the class and was wondering if anyone knew of what I am asking and could either post in this tribe or send it to me. This formula that he used made writting or speaking a sentance flow and was easier to understand than the usual verb, noun, adverb way of teaching how to write that is taught in school.

Any help will be appreciated.

David