The ABC’s of Writing

Adelita G. Cantu, PhD, RN

Why Writing is Important to Profession

Writing/communicating effectively prerequisite for advancement

On job descriptions-oral and written communication the most important elements (reflects directly on the company)

Patients consider a “good nurse” because of his or her ability to communicate well

I will only do writing on charts

often informal shorthand notation not the type of writing

that requires critical thinking

think about how writing influences the following: support from

administration reimbursement publishing higher education

Which one is it?

There adverb speaks to a location at or in that place “It is over there, not

here”. pronoun when used

to introduce a clause or sentence

“There are many tales about the place.”

Their adjective take the place of

nouns for readability speaks to an

individual, belonging to an individual

used to indicate possession or the agent or recipient of an action

“The team won their first title”.

Examples

All of the employees on the unit believed that (their, there) actions were medically necessary.

(There, their) now, don’t cry. (There, their) is a method to (their, there)

madness. Both the doctor and the nurse documented

(their, there) actions during the surgical procedure.

Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding “’s”

Follow this whatever the final consonant Charles’s friend Burns’s poem the witch’s malice

Exceptions: ancient proper names ending in “es” and “is” Jesus’ for conscience’ sake for righteousness’

sake

Pronominal possessives

Hers, its, theirs, yours, & ours have no apostrophe

Common error is to write “it’s” for “its” or vice versaThe first is a contraction, meaning “it is”

the second is possessive (It’s, its) a wise dog that scratches (it’s, its)

own fleas.

Omit Needless Words

the question as to there is no doubt but

that used for fuel purposes he is a man who in a hasty manner this is a subject that Her story is a strange

one the reason why is that

whether no doubt or doubtless

used for fuel he hastily this subject Her story is strange

because

The fact that…

The fact that is an especially debilitating expression. It should be revised out of every sentence in which it occurs.

owing to the fact….since (because) in spite of the fact that….though (although) call your attention to the fact that….remind you I was unaware of the fact that….I was unaware that

(did not know) The fact that he had not succeeded….his failure

Words & Expressions Commonly Misused

All right. Properly written as two words all right Among. Between. When more than two things or

persons are involved, among is usually called for: “The money was divided among the four players.” When, however, more than two are involved but each is considered individually, between is preferred: “an agreement between the six heirs.”

And/or. A device, or shortcut, that damages a sentence and often leads to confusion or ambiguity.

Words & Expressions Commonly Misused

First of all, would an honor system successfully cut down on the amount of stealing and/or cheating?

First of all, would an honor system reduce the incidence of stealing or cheating or both?

Words & Expressions Commonly Misused

Anybody or anyone. Should be written as one word. As good or better than. Should be corrected by

rearranging the sentences. My opinion is as good or better than his. My opinion is as good as his, or better (if not better).

As to whether. Whether is sufficient Being. Not appropriate after regard as…

He is regarded as being the best dancer in the club. He is regarded as the best dancer in the club.

Words & Expressions Commonly Misused

But. Unnecessary after doubt and help I have no doubt but

that He could not help

but see that

I have no doubt that

He could not help seeing that

Words & Expressions Commonly Misused

Case. Often unnecessary In many cases, the

rooms lacked air conditioning

It has rarely been the case that any mistake has been made.

May of the rooms lacked air conditioning.

Few mistakes have been made.

Words & Expressions Commonly Misused

However. Avoid starting a sentence with however when the meaning is “nevertheless.” The roads were almost

impassable. However, we at last succeeded in reaching camp.

The roads were almost impassable. At last, however, we succeeded in reaching camp.