The structure of good writing

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The structure of good writing
The paper is already broken into major
categories. Take it one step farther. Break each
category down into sub categories and label them
with parallel headings.
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The structure of good writing

• Example of Parallel Headings
• Summary of Literature
• Description of how the World Wide Web is used by
  politicians and political parties today.
• Description of the impact of the World Wide Web
  in the last election.
• Description of how politicians will use the World
  Wide Web in the next four years.

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The structure of good writing
Each paragraph within the paper should focus on
one idea.
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The structure of good writing
Example of a paragraph with one idea
The history of lemmings plays an important part
in communication because it highlights the need
for integrity in documentary film making. In
1958, Walt Disney Pictures released a documentary
called White Wilderness. During the filming of
this movie, a film crew purchased lemmings,
herded them off a cliff, and filmed them as they
plummeted into the water. While lemmings were
already believed to be suicidal, this film
popularized the notion that lemmings cast
themselves into the sea.
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The structure of good writing
Paragraphs of text will support each subcategory.
Each paragraph should be structured with an
introductory sentence.
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The structure of good writing
Example of an introductory sentence What is
meant by the topic
The history of lemmings plays an important part
in communication because it highlights the need
for integrity in documentary film making.
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The structure of good writing
Topic sentences should be followed by supporting
sentences.
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The structure of good writing
Example of supporting sentences What is meant by
the history of lemmings in communication
The history of lemmings plays an important part
in communication because it highlights the need
for integrity in documentary film making. In
1958, Walt Disney Pictures released a documentary
called White Wilderness. During the filming of
this movie, a film crew purchased lemmings,
herded them off a cliff, and filmed them as they
plummeted into the water. While lemmings were
already believed to be suicidal, this film
popularized the notion that lemmings cast
themselves into the sea.
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The structure of good writing
Use transition sentences close to the beginning
of the second paragraph.
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The structure of good writing
Example of a transition sentence which led to
the victimization. For example, video games
exist where the objective is to keep lemmings
from jumping off of cliffs. These sorts of media
act to
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The language of good writing
Use active voice whenever possible.
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The language of good writing
Example of active voice Active Voice A group
of documentary film makers misrepresented
lemmings in the film White Wilderness.
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The language of good writing
Example of passive voice Active Voice A group
of documentary film makers misrepresented
lemmings in the film White Wilderness. Passive
voice Lemmings were misrepresented in the film
White Wilderness.
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The language of good writing
Use gender neutral language and avoid gender
specific language.
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The language of good writing
Example of gender specific language As a
lemming moves from one geographic area to
another, he must gather up his courage.
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The language of good writing
Example of pluralizing Gender specific As a
lemming moves from one geographic area to
another, he must gather up his courage. Gender
neutral As a group of lemmings move from one
geographic area to another, they must gather up
their courage.
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The language of good writing
Example of eliminating pronouns Gender
specific A lemming can travel many miles before
he must rest.
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The language of good writing
Example of eliminating pronouns Gender
specific A lemming can travel many miles before
he must rest. Gender neutral A lemming can
travel many miles before resting.
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The language of good writing
Write your paper in third person
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The language of good writing
Example of first person I will always remember
the sight of the great lemming migration of 1994.
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The language of good writing
Example of second person You will always
remember the sight of the great lemming migration
of 1994.
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The language of good writing
Example of third person They will always
remember the sight of the great lemming migration
of 1994.
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The language of good writing
Write your paper in third person, except when
you are referring to yourself in your paper.
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The language of good writing
Example of appropriate use of first person in a
research paper We attempted to rescue the
lemmings before they were pushed off the cliff by
the documentary film makers.
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The language of good writing
Non Example of appropriate use of first person in
a research paper The authors attempted to
rescue the lemmings before they were pushed off
the cliff by the documentary film makers.
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The language of good writing
Avoid Jargon It is important that you avoid
using too much jargon in your writing. The
example below is full of jargon.
When designing constructive learning
environments, it is important to include both
generative and mathemagenic activities to ensure
learning.
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The language of good writing
Avoid Jargon The example below eliminates the
jargon.
When designing instruction where the students
solve problems, it is important to include
activities where students are provided with
materials created by others and also create their
own materials to ensure learning.
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The language of good writing
Avoid Hyperbole Hyperbole is exaggeration. To
avoid hyperbole, dont use the following words in
your writing.
Very All Always Never Forever Really Ever anyone
everyone everybody
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The language of good writing
Avoid clichés Clichés are words and groups of
words that have been over-used in our language.
See the example below.
The documentary film makers should have known
better than to kill those lemmings. After all,
cheaters never prosper.
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The language of good writing
Avoid Adjectives and adverbs It is usually
better to use adjectives and adverbs sparingly.
The example below has too many adverbs and
adjectives.
Poor little lemmings cant defend themselves from
cruel documentary film-makers. They also cant
scream out to the world regarding the abuse they
have needlessly suffered at the pitiless hands of
men.
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The language of good writing
Avoid Adjectives and adverbs The example below
has removed the adjectives and adverbs. It is
easier to read and less dramatic.
Lemmings cant defend themselves from documentary
film-makers. They also cant tell the world about
the abuse they have suffered at the hands of men.