Writing Effectively

Writing Effectively

Overview • How can you make your writing effective and powerful? • What is the three-part structure? • What are common style and substance errors? Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Overview • What is voice? • What is subject-verb agreement? • What are the proper uses of pronouns? • What are the basic of e-mail protocol? Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Quick Write • Why is effective writing important in almost any field? • Why would a pilot, a computer engineer, or a biologist need to be able to write effectively? Write down your thoughts and then share with a partner or discuss with the class Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Effective and Powerful Writing • Follow the process you’ve learned—the basic checklist—and work on your style • Styleis how you communicate through the words you choose, the order in which you place them, and their level of formality Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Tone • One element of style is tone. Controlling your tone in writing means picking the right words • Words are a lot like fruits and vegetables: Some are like sweet like apple slices, and some are as hot as chili peppers Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Clarity • Clarity lets the reader understand your meaning quickly • One of the enemies of clarity is jargon • Jargon is specific or technical language used by people within a specialty or cultural area • Using jargon simply to try to seem smart is unfair to readers and may confuse them Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Continuity • Effective writing holds together in a natural way—it has continuity • Every part of the writing piece works toward the goal of communicating meaning clearly and quickly • Understanding the three-part structure of a paper will help your writing’s continuity Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Three-Part Structure of Papers Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Paragraphs • A paragraph presents a single major idea or point • Atopic sentenceannounces your intent for a single paragraph • Transitions are words, phrases, or sentences that bridge gaps between ideas or paragraphs Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Paragraphs and Transitions Topic Sentence Paragraph Transitions Topic Sentence Paragraph Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Subject – noun/pronoun Predicate – action/verb Sentence Fragments Most sentences have: A sentence fragment is a piece of the sentence that comes before it or the sentence that follows Example: We were ready to go, but couldn’t find James anywhere. Until we looked behind the bleachers. He was sitting there tying his shoes. Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphics courtesy of Clipart.com

Run-on Sentences Our van was overheating the muffler smoked (no comma) Our van was overheating, the muffler smoked (improper use of comma) Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

To Fix Run-On Sentences • Divide the sentence in two • Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction • Use a semicolon or a colon • Use a semicolon and a transitional phrase Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Choosing Words • Strive for originality and accuracy • Avoid clichés—expressions that people use to add color to writing • They’ve lost their impact because of overuse • Choose correct words—many words in the English language look and sound similar but have completely different meanings Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Common Clichés Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Voice Active Voice Passive Voice Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Recognizing Passive Voice The blue ribbon was givenby the awards committee to Holly. The gift was received by Tom. Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Changing Passive to Active Put the actor (doer) before the verb or Drop the part of the verb that ends in –ed or –en or Choose a different verb or Eliminate form of to be verb Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Subject-Verb Agreement • Agreementmeans that the subject and verb are the same number • The word numberrefers to singular or plural • For example, The boy eats the candy bar (singular subject, singular verb form)—or The boys eat the candy bars (plural subject, plural verb form) Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Compound Subjects • If two nouns are joined by and, they usually take a plural verb • If two nouns are joined by or, nor, or but, the verb agrees in number with the subject nearestit • Use a singular verb for a compound subject that is preceded by each or every Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Compound Subjects • Use a singular verb for a compound subject whose parts are considered a single unit • Use a singular verb with collective nouns (and noun phrases showing quantity) that are treated as a unit • But, use a plural verb when a collective noun refers to individual items Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Pronouns • A pronounis a word that replaces a noun • The noun that a pronoun refers to or replaces is the antecedent • Personal pronouns can be first person, second person, or third person • Pronouns can also be singular or plural Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Pronouns Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Pronouns • Pronouns must agree in person and number with their antecedents • With a compound subject joined by and, use a plural pronoun • When parts of an antecedent are joined by or or nor, make the pronoun agree with the nearest noun Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Pronouns: Example Sentences • John and Steve should have raised their hands • John or Steve should have raised his hand • Neither my parents nor my sister hasstayed on her diet (awkward)—verses: • Neither my sister nor my parents havestayed on their diet(better) • Instead of: Everyone should bring his or her book to class • Use: All students should bring their books to class Chapter 2, Lesson 2

E-Mail • Effective writing is still an essential part of composing e-mail • Your teachers and future employers will expect you to communicate electronically with skill and forethought • E-mail is notas private as you might think—the e-mail network is subject to other people’s monitoring Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Three Advantages of E-Mail Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Disadvantages of E-Mail • An inaccurate, hastily written e-mail can feed as many fires as it extinguishes • Too many copies of e-mails can clog the server network and can end up in the wrong hands • E-mail leaves an electronic trail, and power surges can make your work vanish Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Six Rules of E-Mail Protocol Rule #1: Be clear and concise Rule #2: Watch your tone Rule #3: Be selective about what messages you send Rule #4: Be selective about who gets the message Rule #5: Check your attachments and support material Rule #6: Keep your e-mail under control Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Professional E-Mail • Use appropriate greetings and closings • State your purpose at the beginning of the message • Write in brief, clear paragraphs • Give your readers a clear call to action—tell them what you want them to do Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Professional E-Mail • Put your phone number at the end of your message • Always thank the receiver • Avoid “cc-ing” (courtesy copy) a large group • List “cc” recipients alphabetically to avoid hurt feelings or political issues Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Safe E-Mail Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Safe E-Mail • Never give your password to anyone, even close friends • Don’t open, download, or answer e-mails from senders you don’t recognize • Never give out personal information on the Internet without the supervision of a parent or guardian Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Review • To make your writing effective and powerful, follow the basic checklist and work on your writing style • Controlling your tone in writing means picking the right words • Clarity is the quality of clearness that lets the reader understand your meaning quickly • Effective writing holds together in a natural way—it has continuity Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Review • In most cases, you’ll organize your draft in a three-part structure—an introduction, a body, and a conclusion • Transitions help move your reader from one idea to another • You should avoid sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and clichés Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Review • Use active voice to make your writing clearer and more direct • Follow the rules for subject-verb agreement and pronouns • E-mail has three great advantages: it’s fast, it can get to huge numbers of people at little expense, and it’s paperless Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Review • These advantages can backfire, so be careful • Follow the six rules of e-mail protocol • Never give out your password or personal information over e-mail or the Internet—protect yourself from unsafe e-mail Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Summary • How can you make your writing effective and powerful? • What is the three-part structure? • What are common style and substance errors? Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Summary • What is voice? • What is subject-verb agreement? • What are the proper uses of pronouns? • What are the basics of e-mail protocol? Chapter 2, Lesson 2

Next • Done—how to write effectively • Next—speaking effectively Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Writing Effectively