blog 1 ppt
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Writing CorrectlyA miniature guide to huge success
Focus on
Punctuation – easiest area for errors
Jargon – use proper language
Being concise – express a lot through a little
Making it clear – abandon ambiguity
Punctuation
Apostrophe rule 1
Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed (1).
Examples:
• isn't • You're right.• She's a great teacher.
Punctuation
Apostrophe rule 2
Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession (1).
Examples:
• one boy's hat • one woman's hat • one actress's hat
Punctuation
Apostrophe rule 3
To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe (1).
Examples:
• the Changs' house • the Joneses' golf clubs • the Strauses' daughter
Punctuation
Apostrophe rule 4
Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item (1).
Examples:
• Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
• Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
• Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Jargon
Jargon – specialized or technical language used within a particular group, organization, or field (2).
Useful when all know language
Confusion and frustration if unfamiliar
Jargon
Simple rules to follow when using jargon.
Use only when certain that audience will understand it
Use sparingly to convey expertise and gain audience confidence
Define jargon terms for audiences
Never use to mask information or to confuse audience (2)
Be concise
Main objective is to express information in as little words as possible (2).
Avoid unnecessary modifiers
No: The report doesn’t require any particular deadline.
Yes: The report doesn’t require a deadline.
Reduce descriptive clauses
No: The reaction, which was recently identified, was
not the only catalyst.
Yes: The recently identified action was not the only catalyst.
Be concise
Avoid dummy subjects
No: It is the decision of the board that the project be terminated.
Yes: The board decided to terminate the project.
Avoid strings of prepositional phrases
No: The condition of the patient was documented in the patient profile written by the nurse on duty during the after-hours shift.
Yes: The after-hours nurse documented the patient’s condition in the patient profile.
Be concise
Avoid nominalizations
No: The role of the project manager is the supervision of employees.
Yes: The project manager supervises employees.
Avoid excessive information
No: In response to your query of February 28, 2007, our primary microscopes do have digital imaging capabilities.
Yes: Our primary microscopes do have digital imaging capabilities.
Make it clear
Ensures document is not ambiguous (2).
Use pronouns clearly
No: The engineers provided models as long as they were available.
Yes: The engineers provided models as long as the models were available
Use modifiers clearly
No: The lab equipment was returned to the factory where it had been developed three years earlier by parcel post.
Yes: The lab equipment was returned by parcel post to the factory where it had been developed three years earlier.
Make it clear
Clarify ambiguous statements
No: Architects require more exact measurements than plumbers.
Yes: Architects require more exact measurements than plumbers do.
Order words thoughtfully
No: Over the budget looked the IT supervisor.
Yes: The IT supervisor looked over the budget.
References
1) "Apostrophes | Punctuation Rules." Grammar and Punctuation | The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp.
2) Dorbin, Sidney, Christopher Keller, and Christian Weisser. Technical Communication in the Twenty-First Century. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall. Print.