Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's1 Use these seven techniques...
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Transcript of Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's1 Use these seven techniques...
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 1
Use these seven techniques for structuring effective sentences:
• Use lists.
• Emphasize new and important information.
• Choose an appropriate sentence length.
• Focus on the “real” subject.
• Focus on the “real” verb.
• Use parallel structures.
• Use modifiers effectively.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 2
Use these five guidelines for creating effective lists:
• Set off each listed item with a number, a letter, or a symbol (usually a bullet).
• Break up long lists.
• Present the items in a parallel structure.
• Structure and punctuate the lead-in correctly.
• Punctuate the list correctly.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 3
Use modifiers effectively
• Distinguish between restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers.
• Avoid misplaced modifiers.
• Avoid dangling modifiers.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 4
Choose the right words and phrases
• Select an appropriate level of formality.• Be clear and specific.• Be concise.• Use inoffensive language.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 5
Select an appropriate level of formality
Use a level and tone appropriate for
• your audience
• your subject
• your purpose
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 6
Informal writing can cause two problems:
• It tends to be imprecise.
• It can be embarrassing.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 7
Use these seven techniques for writing clearly and specifically:
• Use the active voice and the passive voice appropriately.
• Be specific.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon.
• Use positive constructions.
• Avoid long noun strings.
• Avoid clichés.
• Avoid euphemisms.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 8
Use the active and passive voice appropriately
Use the active voice unless
• the agent is clear from the context
• the agent is unknown
• the agent is less important than the action
• a reference to the agent is embarrassing, dangerous, or in some other way inappropriate
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 9
Use these three techniques for writing specifically:
• Use precise words.
• Provide adequate detail.
• Avoid ambiguity.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 10
Avoid unnecessary jargon for four reasons:
• It can be imprecise.• It can be confusing.• It is often seen as condescending.• It is often intimidating.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 11
Be concise
• Avoid obvious statements.
• Avoid filler.
• Avoid unnecessary prepositional phrases.
• Avoid wordy phrases.
• Avoid pompous words.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 12
Follow these six guidelines for avoiding sexist language:
• Replace the male-gender words with non-gender-specific words.
• Switch to a different form of the verb.
• Switch to the plural.
• Switch to he or she, he/she, s/he, or his or her.
• Address the reader directly.
• Alternate he and she.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 13
Follow these five guidelines for using the people-first approach:
• Refer to the person first, the disability second.
• Don’t confuse handicap with disability.
• Don’t refer to victimization.
• Don’t refer to a person as “wheelchair bound” or “confined to a wheelchair.”
• Don’t refer to people with disabilities as abnormal.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's 14
Use these seven techniques in preparing text for translation:
• Use short sentences.• Use the active voice.• Use simple words.• Include a glossary.• Use words that have only one meaning.• Use pronouns carefully.• Avoid jokes, puns, and culture-bound
references.