Eliminating Sporadic Noise in Engineering Writing

1. Eliminating Sporadic Noise in Engineering Writing This chapter covers: Spelling and spell checkers Punctuation Sentence errors Technical usage Editing

2. Spelling and Spell Checkers Watch out for these . . . it’s vs its there vs their vs they’re affect vs effect principal vs principle your vs you’re And there are more!

3. Commas Introductory-element comma: Although the CHIP House took about US$1 million to develop, producing a duplicate would cost around US$300,000. Nonintroductory element (no comma): Producing a duplicate of the CHIP Housewould cost around US$300,000. Compound-sentence comma: The energy efficiency of the CHIP House makes it stand out on its own, butits smart features move it beyond the typical green-conscious home. Noncompound-sentence element (compound predicate): Tomorrow’s engineers will have to be able to manage information overload and communicate skillfully in a variety of media. Restrictive- and nonrestrictive-element comma: Heat that is generated by the air conditioning is used to make hot water. The CHIP House, which stands for ”Compact Hyper-Insulated Prototype,” was started with the goal of creating a net-zero energy home.

4. Semicolons Closely related independent clauses: The CHIP House’s most striking feature is the insulation fitted around the entire 750-square foot home; this makes it look like a giant mattress but also preserves the interior temperature. Series elements with internal punctuation: The team is made up of Seth Deleery, vice-president of marketing; Nat Beers, director of research; Ruth Ustby, assistant director of training and human relations; and Cate Kanapathy, chief avionics engineer.

5. Colons Complete sentence introducing a list: For the final exam you will need several items: a pencil, a calculator, and three sheets of graph paper. Complete sentence introducing a statement: The line-of-sight in a communication satellite can be a problem: communication satellites can see the earth's surface only between about 83 degrees north latitude and 83 degrees south latitude.

6. Parentheses Resistor R5 introduces feedback in the circuit (see Figure 5). This reference book (published in 1993) still contains useful information. Typical indoor levels of radon average 1.5 picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity per unit volume of air). Whenever I design a circuit (like this one), I determine the values of the components in advance. I have already calculated the values of the resistors. (R1 is 10.5 K, and R2is 98 .) The next step is to choose standard values.

7. Dashes Emphasis: Staying up all night to finish a lab project is not so terrible——once in a while. Summary: Reading all warnings, wearing safety glasses and hardhats, and avoiding hot materials——all these practices are crucial to sensible workshop procedure. Insertion: My opinion——whether you want to hear it or not——is that the drill does not meet the specifications promised by our supplier.

8. Hyphens Punctuation problem: We used a 16 key keypad. Revision: We used a 16-key keypad. Punctuation problem: We knew Marienet made klystrons would be able togenerate a 9.395 GHz microwave. Revision: We knew Marienet-made klystrons would be able to generate a 9.395 GHz microwave. Punctuation problem: The equation assumes a one dimensional plane wave propagation inside the horn. Revision: The equation assumes a one-dimensional plane-wave propagation inside the horn. Punctuation problem: Research showed the computer aided students improved their grades dramatically. Revision: Research showed the computer-aided students improved their grades dramatically.

9. Quotation Marks The manager stressed to the whole group that the key word was ‘‘Preparedness.’’ ‘‘The correct answer is 18.2 Joules,’’ he told me. We had heard about the ‘‘Four-Star Marketing Plan,’’ but no one remembered what it involved. We left the game right after the band played ‘‘The Eyes of Texas’’; it was too darned hot and humid to stay any longer. Their manager bluntly asked, ‘‘Are we on schedule?’’ What is the meaning of the term ‘‘antepenultimate’’?

10. Subject-Verb Agreement Agreement problem: This combination of electrical components constitutea single-pole RC filter. Revision: This combination of electrical components constitutesa single-pole RC filter. Agreement problem: A 35 mm filmof some high buildings arestrongly recommended. Revision: A 35 mm filmof some high buildings is strongly recommended. Agreement problem: Only one of the pre-1925 high-rise structures weredamaged in the quake. Revision: Only one of the pre-1925 high-rise structures wasdamaged in the quake.

11. Modifier problems Modifier problem: After testing the mechanism, the theory behind it was easily understood. Revision: After testing the mechanism, we easily understood the theory. Modifier problem: Once having completed needed modifications and adjustments, the equipment operated correctly and met all specifications. Revision: Once we had completed needed modifications and adjustments, the equipmentoperated correctly and met all specifications. Modifier problem: By the age of 4, her father knew that she would be an engineer. Revision: By the time his daughter was 4, her father knew that she would be an engineer.

12. Unclear pronouns Pronoun problem: We will study the terrain by soil analysis and computer simulation before reaching a decision on whether construction can take place here. This will also enable us to . . . Revision: This study will also enable us to . . . Pronoun problem: Back in 1954, three researchers made a series of discoveries about the unknown sources of Barbour’s early notebooks. Theseprompted them to further investigate . . . Revision: These discoveries prompted the three to further investigate . . .

13. Parallelism Parallelism problem: The back-up system should be efficient, should meet safety specifications, and have complete reliability. Revision possibilities: The back-up system should be efficient, should meet safety specifications, and should be completely reliable. or The back-up system should be efficient, meet safety specifications, and be completely reliable.

14. Fragments Fragment: She decided to major in petroleum engineering. Even though it would take five years. Revision: She decided to major in petroleum engineering even though it would take five years. Nonproblem fragment: The Kinectimalsvideo game lets players pet a virtual pet on their TV screen. But not actually groom their pets remotely! Revision: The Kinectimalsvideo game lets players pet a virtual pet on their TV screen—but not actually groom their pets remotely!

15. Sexist Language Sexist language: Every engineer should be at his workstation by 9 a.m. Revision possibilities: Every engineer should be at his or her workstation by 9 a.m. Engineers should be at their workstations by 9 a.m. Sexist language: An employee can expect a lot of challenges during his career here. Revision: Employees can expect a lot of challenges during their careers here. Sexist language: Every technician must wear safety glasses when he enters the work area. Revision: Technicians must wear safety glasses when entering the work area. Sexist language: Sarah is chairman of the new committee on marketing strategy. Revision possibilities: Sarah is chair of the new committee on marketing strategy. Sarah is chairing the new committee on marketing strategy.

16. Abbreviations Good uses of acronyms: Then it goes into read-only memory (ROM). To understand our billing process, you first need to know what a British Thermal Unit (BTU) is. an MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) an LED readout an SRU pin an ultrasonic frequency (but a UHF receiver) We ordered a case of DVDs. We weren’t satisfied with the last CD-ROM’s performance. or We weren’t satisfied with the performance on the last CD-ROM.

17. Numbers two transistors 232 stainless steel bolts three linear actuators 12 capacitors Make sure that the rim of the basket is exactly 10 feet from the floor. She presented three arguments to support her assertion. There are now thousands of apps for the iPhone. On Wikipedia, there are over three million articles in English. or On Wikipedia, there are over 3 million articles in English. The IPET has 4000 members and 134 chapters in 6 regions. The project calls for eight 6-foot boards. 2-1/2 liters 32-2/3 km

18. Units of Measurement Notice the space between the number and the unit of measurement: 70 ns 100 dB 12 V 34.62m 23 e/cm36Wb/m2 No periods: 212◦F (100◦C) 5.08cm(2 in)