Writing seminar

1. Writing seminar • Paragraph structure • Sentence structure • Words • Punctuation and mechanics

2. Paragraph structure • Topic sentences • Important, but easy to forget. • Paragraph development • Exemplification: instances that support the topic sentence • Narration: series of events to tell the reader what happened • Process: how something works or how an action is carried out • Comparison and contrast: similarities or dissimilarities to another thing, process, or state • Cause and effect: tracks the development of one situation or event out of another. • Definition: describes the meaning and scope of important terms. • Analysis: presents evidence and causal links to explain how something works.

3. Paragraph structure • Transitional devices • Words and phrases that provide transitions among sentences by invoking • Cause and effect: consequently, therefore, as a result • Sequence: furthermore, in addition • Comparison or contrast: similarly, also, however, in contrast • Example: for example, for instance, specifically

4. Paragraph structure Linking old and new information A and B. B and C. C and D. Example: Every semester after final exams are over, I'm faced with the problem of what to do with books of lecture notes. They might be useful some day, but they just keep piling up on my bookcase. Someday, it will collapse under the weight of information I might never need.

5. Sentence structure A description of the important terms may possibly be provided by the writer. (13 words) Passive versus active voice The writer may possibly provide a description of the important terms. (11 words) Nominalizations: Turning verbs into nouns The writer may possibly describe the important terms. (8 words) Unnecessary words or phrases (double hedging, extra articles) The writer may describe important terms. (6 words)

6. Sentence structure Avoid comma splices, join independent clauses with semicolons • Semicolon, not a comma, is used to link to independent clauses- i.e., there is a complete sentence on either side of the semicolon. Parallelism: Parts of a single sentence with the same function should have the same structure: • Poor parallelism: One of the most important problems faced by exobiologists is how to devise and agreeing upon tests to detect life. • Improved parallelism: One of the most important problems faced by exobiologists is devising and agreeing upon tests to detect life.

7. Sentence structure Misplaced modifiers Avoid interrupting the sentence structure by placing modifiers between the subject and the verb. Dangling modifiers A modifier whose connection to the sentence is implied, but not made explicit is said to dangle. This is often a problem when writing in the passive voice. Dangling: Using a wing-ruler, wing chord was measured for each bird. Corrected: Using a wing-ruler, I measured the wing chord of each bird.

8. Words Vague language many, some, about, etc.- be explicit or leave them out Technical terms use terms that will make it easier for your audience to understand what you are writing about. Which/That Which is non-restrictive and preceded by a comma, that is restrictive, not preceded by a comma. Non-restrictive: Bats, which have wings, are similar to birds. (implies all bats have wings) Restrictive: Bats that eat insects echolocate more than other bats. (implies that only some bats eat insects)

9. Punctuation and Mechanics Commas after introductory elements Commas separate elements in a series The final comma is optional, but omitting it can create confusion: • Omitted: Contemporary physics is still exploring neutron stars, black holes and the penetration of electrons through potential barriers. • Included: Contemporary physics is still exploring neutron stars, black holes, and the penetration of electrons through potential barriers. Use semicolons for elements of a series that include commas: Italicize titles of journals, books, newsletters, and manuals; letters, words, terms, and equation symbols; foreign words; and names of specific vessels.

10. Punctuation and Mechanics Commas between coordinating modifiers Modifiers are coordinate if they modify the same word. You can test for coordination by inserting an and between the modifiers. If the description still makes sense the modifiers are coordinate. Example: Ebola viruses are known as filoviruses for their long, filamentlike appearance.

11. This modifier splits the subject from the verb Use of “Rebel” links to “civil war” in previous sentence Excellent use of topic sentence Episode IV: A NEW HOPE It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR, an armored space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet. Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy.... Linking old and new information This modifier does not split subject and verb, but it isn’t directly next to what it modifies (Princess Leia) Modifier is not dangling, also links old and new information

12. For next week • Work in Groups of 2-3 • Read examples I have provided and come prepared to discuss the following questions: 1) How do the authors develop their paragraphs? E.g., what type of development do they use? Do they link old and new information? Do they use passive or active voice? • What do you like about their writing? 3) What do you dislike about their writing? 4) Find three sentences that could be improved. Come to class these sentences written down and a revision the sentence that you think would fix the problem.