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Style advice for technical writing. Dr. Arnett WRIT 3140. Advice from plainlanguage.gov analyze your audience(s) address separate audiences… separately. http://skinnydip.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hipster.jpg. http://unrealitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/the-golden-girls.jpg. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Advice from plainlanguage.gov
• analyze your audience(s)• address separate audiences…
separately• get to the point quickly•state the purpose, state the main point, and omit background info
Advice from plainlanguage.gov
• analyze your audience(s)• address separate audiences…
separately• get to the point quickly•state the purpose, state the main point, and omit background info
• use “you” / imperative voice
Advice from plainlanguage.gov
• analyze your audience(s)• address separate audiences…
separately• get to the point quickly•state the purpose, state the main point, and omit background info
• use “you” / imperative voice• use active voice and active verbs
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. It had an unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, it would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. It had an unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, it would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
lack of end focus
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. It had an unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, it would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
lack of end focus
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. This car’s flaw was its unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, it would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
lack of end focus partially fixed
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. This car’s flaw was its unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, it would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
lack of end focus partially fixed
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. This car’s flaw was its unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, this weak neck would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
lack of end focus partially fixed
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. This car’s flaw was its unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, this weak neck would rupture. Spilled gas would cause a fire.
lack of end focus partially fixed
The Ford Pinto is a deeply flawed car from the 1970s. This car’s flaw was its unreinforced gas tank filler neck. If a rear-end collision occurred, this weak neck would rupture, spill gas, and start a fire.
lack of end focus fixed
Avoid nonsense antecedents.
antecedent = the thing a pronoun refers to
pronoun = a word that substitutes for a noun
The Norton Antivirus website updates your virus protection software automatically, once a week. This protects your computer from new viruses.
The Norton Antivirus website updates your virus protection software automatically, once a week. This protects your computer from new viruses.
vague pronoun reference
The Norton Antivirus website updates your virus protection software automatically, once a week. This update protects your computer from new viruses.
vague pronoun reference fixed
Match pronoun cases.
case = the form of a word that shows its relationship to other words in the sentence
singular/plural (I, he, we, they)subjective/objective/possessive (I, me, mine)relative (that, which)interrogative (who, whose, whom)indefinite (everybody, nobody)
It’s common for 26-year-olds to be more mature than they were at 19.It’s common for a 26-year-old to be more mature than she was at 19.
pronoun case mismatch fixed
Change nominalizations into nouns or verbs.
nominalization = a verb, adjective, or other part of speech that’s been turned into a noun
-tion, -ure, -ability, -ness, -ity, -ance, -ence, -ing, -ment
Charles experienced the development of unhappiness due to performance difficulties at his location of employment.
Charles experienced the development of unhappiness due to performance difficulties at his location of employment.
nominalizations
Use active voice verbs, if appropriate.
active voice = verb form where the subject of the verb is performing the action
passive voice = verb form where the subject of the verb receives the action
p.v. = “to be” verb + past participle
40 mL of hydrochloric acid was added dropwise to 1 L of water.
no change needed
Use passive voice when• the actor is implied, unknown, or
unimportant• the audience expects passive voice• passive voice creates end focus
Avoid misplaced modifiers.
misplaced modifier = a modifying word or phrase that’s attached to the wrong object
Avoid dangling modifiers.
dangling modifier = a modifying word or phrase whose intended object isn’t in the sentence
After careful research and an in-depth analysis, the criteria below will be used to make a decision.
After careful research and an in-depth analysis, the criteria below will be used to make a decision.
After careful research and an in-depth analysis, the criteria below will be used to make a decision.
dangling modifier
After careful research and an in-depth analysis, we will use the criteria below to make a decision.
dangling modifier fixed
The solution will change color if stirred vigorously.
If you stir the solution vigorously, it will change color.
Stir the solution vigorously to change its color.
dangling modifier fixed
A sufficient number of bats live in the cave at this point in time to begin and commence making a significantly noticeable dent in the mosquito population.
A sufficient number of bats live in the cave at this point in time to begin and commence making a significantly noticeable dent in the mosquito population.
wordy phrases
Enough bats live in the cave now to start making a noticeable dent in the mosquito population.
wordy phrases fixed
Use common words to explain your meaning.
“fancy” words and phrases fixed
utilize useeffectuate doterminate end
http://www.stcwdc.org/avoid_jargon.shtml
When a crippled golfer uses the X-14 putter, he should assume an open stance.
discriminatory language
When a disabled golfer uses the X-14 putter, she should assume an open stance.
discriminatory language fixed
You can use gender-specific language, but don’t make sexist assumptions.
Seventy percent of the businesses surveyed are feeling the effects of a sluggish economy.
vague, imprecise wording fixed
Take care when lifting elderly people out of cars. Old folks have fragile bones, and seniors can also have sensitive feelings.
Take care when lifting elderly people out of cars. Old folks have fragile bones, and seniors can also have sensitive feelings.
inconsistent wording
Take care when lifting senior citizens out of cars. Senior citizens have fragile bones and can also have sensitive feelings.
inconsistent wording fixed