Writing Readers-Oriented Sentences & Paragraphs

Focus on Actors and Actions

In most writings you can find actors playing a role in the event of the sentence.

Make the actors the subjects of your sentences.

Put the actions in verbs.

Principle 1

Make the actors the subjects of your sentences.

Actor = Subject : We expected to begin the new uniform policies immediately.

Actor (not =) subject: Our expectation was to begin the new uniform policies immediately.

Quiz = Alexander’s dream was to conquer the world. – Does it have actor = or no = subject? Re-phrase it in the other way that it is not.

No Actor

In some sentences, the actor doesn’t appear in the sentence.

Actor (not =) Subject: During the same conference, the proposal was executed.

Actor = Subject: During the same conference, the planning commission decided to execute the proposal.

Quiz = The meeting was held as scheduled but hardly anyone attended.

Use People as Subjects Whenever Possible

People (not =) Subject: The new sports program although passed, was rejected hastily later on.

People = Subject: Parliament passed the new sports program, but was hastily rejected later on.

Quiz = In spite of the request, the proposal was not complied with.

Use the Active Voice

Passive: As announced earlier, the prescription drug card program will be eliminated effective at the end of the year.

Subject = Object of action

Active: The executive committee (subject = actor) must file the papers (object) that contains the business proposal.

Quiz = Write a sentence in passive voice and identify the subject and object of action.

Put the Action in Verbs

Readers expect to find the action of a sentence expressed in verbs. Many writers bury the action in nouns.

Action in noun: The committee must order an execution of the plan as ordered.

Action in verb: The committee must execute the plan as ordered.

Quiz = Frame a sentence that has action in noun and then rephrase it to have action in verb.

Keep the Actor and Action Separated

Actor and Action separate: Often managers make a fool of themselves in front of subordinates and cannot execute simple plans.

Actor and action together: ???????

Principle 3

Put the most important information at the end.

Put unfamiliar technical terms at the end. Example: ????

Principle 4

Tie your sentences together. – You should be in a position to understand how your sentences relate to each other. However, your readers might not.

Put old information near the beginning of a sentence, and then new information. Maintain this order.

The first sentence in a paragraph should introduce the topic.

Use Transition Phrases

Transitions are words, phrases, and even sentences that connect one idea or sentence to another.

Transitions indicate relationships of time, cause and effect, space, addition, comparison and contrast.

Example: Therefore, however etc

Repeat and re-state key words or phrases.

Example: ??????

EXERCISE

Exercise 1 – 6 (190 – 193) in Chapter 7 (Do not have to turn in)

Start working on the exercise in class and finish it off by next class period.

Finish a thorough read of Chapter 7 and 8