Executing the Writing Process

1
Executing the Writing Process

• Chapter 2

2
Stages of Writing
3
Revise sexist language

• Change manpower to workforce.
• Change fireman to firefighter.
• Change stewardess to flight attendant.
• Avoid sexist pronouns (he/she, his/hers)

4
Common Gender

• Uses a masculine singular pronoun
• Each student brought his book.
• Avoid tone problems by
• 1. Removing the pronoun
• 2. Or making the antecedent plural
• 3. Or using his or her.

5
Be Specific

• Use concrete language instead of vague terms
• Instead of devices, write HP scanner and
  deskjet printer.

6
Avoid general jargon

• Ballpark figure
• Game plan
• Interface
• Time frame

7
Use shoptalk only when appropriate

• Shoptalk He went online to chastise the newbie
  who flamed a chat group last night.
• Revision He connected to the Internet to
  chastise a new user who used abusive language in
  a group conversation last night.

8
Avoid gobbledygook

• Gobbledygook At this juncture, the
  aforementioned procedure should be utilized.
• Revision The procedure that we discussed should
  be used now.

9
Edit wordiness

• A downward adjustment (cut, decrease)
• Due to the fact that (because)
• At the present time (now)
• Be acquainted with (know)

10
Avoid redundancy

• Redundancy It is absolutely essential in this
  day and age to completely eliminate bigotry and
  prejudice.
• Revision Bigotry must be eliminated now.

11
Use active voice when possible

• Active voice Mr Jones conducts the plant
  tours.
• Passive voice The plant tours are conducted by
  Mr. Jones.

12
Keep language parallel

• Nonparallel Tungsten steel alloys are tough,
  ductile and have strength.
• Parallel Tungsten steel alloys are tough
  ductile and strong.

13
Use transitions

• Time signalssoon, then, finally, first, next
• Additionagain, and, besides, furthermore
• Resultstherefore, consequently, thus
• Summaryin brief, on the whole, lastly
• Contrasthowever, yet, but, although
• Comparisonsimilarly, likewise

14
Use correct verb agreement

• Incorrect Each of the insurance companies are
  reviewing the application.
• Correct Each of the insurance companies is
  reviewing the application.

15
Use correct pronoun agreement

• Incorrect Each of the women bought their own
  computer software.
• Correct Each of the women bought her own
  computer software.

16
Use correct pronoun case

• It is I. (Use I not me.)
• It will be he who goes. ( not him)
• Ken sent Charles and me the document. (not I)

17
Place modifiers correctly

• Incorrect The accountant only comes in on
  Tuesdays.
• Correct The accountant comes in on Tuesdays
  only.
• Incorrect The computer was broken in the closet.
• Correct The computer in the closet was broken.

18
Dont split infinitives

• Incorrect For her to never complain seems
  unreal.
• Correct For her never to complain seems unreal.

19
Avoid sentence errors

• Fragment Lithium has many uses in
  bioengineering. Especially in the development of
  pacemakers.
• Comma splice The meeting is scheduled at 2 p.m.,
  all should be in attendance.