6_Keeping Your Readers

7/29/2019 6_Keeping Your Readers

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Keeping Your Readers

Unity

Coherence

Tone


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Unity

What is it?


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Coherence

Sentences stick together.

Flow like a peaceful river.

Like a puzzle.


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Transitions


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Transitions

Function: to show a time relationship between points.

Words/Phrases used: first, second, third; meanwhile,

sometimes; before; later; finally; last.

Function: to add an idea or example to the previous point. Words/Phrases used: and; in addition; also; besides; for

example; for instance; in fact.

Function: to show contrast between points.

Words/Phrases used: although; nevertheless; but; however. Function: to show a cause-and-effect relationship.

Words/Phrases used: since; because; therefore; as a result.


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Transitions

Function: to emphasize a point.

Words/Phrases used: in fact; indeed; in other words.

Function: to summarize or conclude.

Words/Phrases used: in brief; in summary; in short; therefore;as a result; finally.


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Transitions


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Tone

Be tactful.

Dont talk down to your readers.

Be thoughtful.

Dont apologize for your opinions. Be yourself. Be confident.


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Choosing the Right Words

The difference between the right word and the almost right

word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.


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The Writers Toolkit


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The Writers Toolkit

1) Use a good dictionary online or otherwise.

The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary is best if English is

a second language.

2) Use spelling & grammar checkers carefully. Canadian eh?

3) Hand held spell checkers are good.

4) Buy & use a good thesaurus. On-line versions are too vague.

The Oxford Thesaurus of Current English or Rogets 21st

Century Thesaurus in Dictionary Form are excellent &inexpensive.


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A toolkit has its warnings!


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7 Deadly Sins of Writing

Wordiness: make every sentence as clear & concise as

possible.

Slang & Jargon: unless writing for a specific social or

professional group avoid expressions that may be

misunderstood by your reader.

Gobbledygook: avoid pretentious language.

Clichs: avoid if at all possible.

Sexist language: avoid gender based words.

Offensive language: use only if quoting.

Abusages: choose words carefully for spelling & use.


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Rewriting, Editing & Proofreading

There are 3 steps to revision:

1) Rewrite: change its organization, content, tone etc.

2) Edit: refine paper checking for grammatical errors & spelling.

3) Proofread: correct typos.


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Rewriting


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Rewriting Checklist

ACCURACY: is your information consistent with your own

experience and observations and/or with what youve

discovered through research?

Are all your facts and evidence up to date?

COMPLETENESS: have you included enough main ideas &

development to explain your subject & convince your reader?

Remember: enough means from the readers point of view,

not yours.


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A picture of rewriting.


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Rewriting Checklist

SUBJECT: is your topic significant? Single? Specific?

Supportable?

MAIN POINTS: are your main points significant? Distinct?

Relevant? Arranged in an appropriate order from the readers

p.o.v.?

Remember: Choose chronological, climactic, logical or

random order.


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Rewriting seems to never end.


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Rewriting Checklist

PARAGRAPHS: do your paragraphs start with a topic

sentence?

Develop only 1 main idea?

Do you link paragraphs with effective transitions?

INTRODUCTION: does it catch your readers attention and

hold it?

does it have a thesis statement? does it identify your reports main points?


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Rewriting Pictorial.


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Rewriting Checklist

CONCLUSION: does it have a summary or reinforcement of

your main points rephrased?

does it have a statement that clinches your argument & leave

the reader with something to think about?


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It doesnt have to be like this or does it?

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6_Keeping Your Readers