“Proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style.”

-Jonathan Swift

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Writing…

Plan what you want to say in your letter or report.

Always start with a positive phrase.

Check spelling and punctuation, then send.

Use simple language- avoid ambiguous words.

Writing Contd….

Edit the letter by cutting ruthlessly.

Be kind to other’s eyes (font size, clarity).

Be creative (use tables, graphs).

Use the language you are better at.

Writing Contd..

Avoid using “you” while making any criticism.

Avoid using slang language. Never express your anger and

frustration. Proof read.

Clarity in Writing…

Rs. 1000000000Rs. 10,00,00,000/-Rs. 10 crore.

Trite/Cliche Expressions

One that has been so overused that it has become stale and dull.

Ex: raining cats and dogs and bright as the sun.

Avoid such expressions, they only distract from the power of the written script.

Find the trite expression in each sentence.

Sadder but wiser, Ellen repaid the borrowed money.

The whole situation was rotten to the core.

Roger spotted the mistake as quick as a wink.

Her little brother was as destructive as a bull in a china shop.

ERROR-FREE LANGUAGE

To write an error-free language, learners should be strongly founded in Tenses, Articles, Active/Passive voice, etc.

Examples

1. While I was on holiday my camera was disappeared (disappeared) from my hotel.

2. A. How did you fall? B. I pushed. (was pushed) 3. A woman taken (was

taken) to hospital after her car had collided with a lorry near Mysore yesterday. She went home after the treatment. A police inspector said afterwards:” The woman was lucky. She could be killed.”(She could have been killed).

CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH

Apologising:

I’m sorry. That was my fault. I’m terribly sorry for the delay. Please pardon me for my mistake I really feel bad about what I have

done/spoken. Please forgive me ….I won't speak

like that hereafter.

Response To Apology:

Don't worry, John.I didn’t take it seriously.

That’s all right. Don't do it again. Forget it, Raja.

Expressing a warning:

Watch out Be careful Beware I warn you

ERROR IDENTIFICATION

1. We are discussing about the movie we watched yesterday.

2. Your’s sincerly.3. Yesterday we were watching the

telivision for sometime.4. He explained me the problem.5. A: Where is your father? B: He has gone for shopping.

7. My brother and myself went to Mysore yesterday.

8. Why don’t you refer the book I gave you yesterday?

9. The dog has lost it’s tail.10. A: How often do you go to your

native place?11. B: I use to go twice a year.

Bloopers in Written Communication

Spotted in a toilet of an office: TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

Bloopers Contd…

Seen at a notice board: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR

On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK) .

THE POLICE WERE ATTACKED BY A LARGE GROUP OF ANGRY MOPS.

I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE DOCTOR ONE EAR AGO.

IF I STUDY HARD, I WILL GRADUATE IN 2004 YEARS