"When first dealing with resonance forms, it’s useful to have a set of guidelines that describe how to draw and interpret them. The following rules should be helpful: … Individual resonance forms are imaginary, not real. … Resonance forms differ only in the placement of their π or nonbonding electrons. … Different resonance forms of a substance don’t have to be equivalent. … Resonance forms obey normal rules of valency. … The resonance hybrid is more stable than any individual resonance form."