u sing r eader -o riented l anguage chapter 8. o verview in this presentation we’ll discuss why we...
TRANSCRIPT
OVERVIEW
In this presentation we’ll discuss why we Use Active Voice Use specific, unambiguous language Use only words that readers need Use simple words Use positive language Use technical terminology consistently and
appropriately Use gender free language
USING ACTIVE VOICE
You will be able to keep your writing in the active voice by Keeping the actor in the subject position Keeping the actor near the beginning of your
sentence Keeping the actor close to the action Keeping the action in the verb Using the imperative mood with an implied “you”
USING SPECIFIC LANGUAGE
Is Clear Is Precise Eliminates questions
your readers might have
Includes details and examples (“such as” and “for example”)
Is unclear Is always imprecise Often contributes to
questions from the reader
Specific Language Vague Language
AVOIDING MISPLACED MODIFIERS
Misplaced modifiers appear to modify the wrong referent.
Our manager suggested to the vice president that we register for the class in San Francisco.
Is the vice president in San Francisco? Do we go to San Francisco to register? Is the class in San Francisco?
To eliminate the ambiguity, place modifiers as close to the referent as you can.
AVOIDING DANGLING MODIFIERS
Dangling modifiers have no referent in the sentence.
Trying to put out the fire, the fire extinguisher broke.To link to other Web sites and topics, the green keywords
should be clicked on.
To identify dangling modifiers, you can often look for passive voice construction.
AVOID FAULTY WORD CHOICE
Stacked nouns Vague words/words with double meanings Redundancies Unnecessary words Inflated words Gender-specific words Negative language Culturally inappropriate language
AVOID USING “STACKED NOUNS”
Noun stacks occur when you use 3 or more nouns back-to-back
The consultant suggested the manager allow time for a fitness center member evaluation. Are the members evaluating the fitness center? Is the fitness center evaluating the members? Is the manager evaluating the members of the
fitness center? Is someone else evaluating the fitness center
members?
Where possible, avoid using a noun to modify a noun
To revise noun stacks, you can usually insert a prepositional phrase
AVOID USING VAGUE WORDS
Avoid using words with more than one meaning (usually a literal meaning and a figurative/conventional meaning)
We were held up at the bank.The seventh graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s
“Hamlet” in the school auditorium on Friday. Parents are invited to attend this tragedy.
USE TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY APPROPRIATELY
Only if your readers have detailed knowledge of the topic
Only for expert readers Consistently use jargon, when you use it
AVOID REDUNDANCIES
Two words have the same meaning, combined by “and” Thought and
consideration Totally and
completely Figure 8.1, page 222
Words that imply other words End result Very unique Absolutely free
Figure 8.2, page 223
Doubled Words Redundant Modifiers
AVOID USING UNNECESSARY WORDS
Eliminate any words not absolutely necessary to convey your meaning and purpose Replace them with specific words (“phrase for a
word”) Eliminate them completely
As a matter of fact, there is an old warehouse that the emergency relief groups can use to house the hurricane victims at this point in time.
The emergency relief groups can now use the old warehouse to house the hurricane victims.
Figure 8.3, page 225 Figure 8.4, page 227
AVOID USING INFLATED WORDS
Eschew Obfuscation! Resist the temptation to use words you
wouldn’t normally use “if you wouldn’t say it, don’t write it” or “just
because you can, doesn’t mean you should” Figure 8.5, page 228
AVOID USING GENDER-SPECIFIC WORDS
Use words that are inclusive, not exclusive Use words that don’t promote stereotypes or
gender roles
AVOID USING NEGATIVE LANGUAGE
Tell readers what something is, instead of what it is not
Tell readers what to do, rather than what not to do
Focus on solutions, rather than problems
USE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE
Avoid idioms (expressions whose meaning is different from the standard/literal meaning of the words they contain [sum is greater than the parts])
Use workplace and technical language with which international readers will be familiar (metric measurements, for example)
Avoid localisms (phrases understood by only people living in a specific area)
Avoid brand names Avoid metaphors and allusions
USE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE (CONTINUED)
Explain any language you must use than an international audience might misunderstand
Write simple, clear, complete sentences (relatively short sentences containing only one idea)
Avoid abbreviations, contractions, and acronyms
When referring to disabilities, focus on the disability rather than the person, and avoid using non-PC terms, such as handicapped), page 232