Keeping Your Readers

Unity Coherence Tone

Unity
What is it?

Coherence
Sentences stick together. Flow like a peaceful river. Like a puzzle.

Transitions

Transitions
Function: to show a time relationship between points. Words/Phrases used: first, second, third; meanwhile, sometimes; before; later; finally; last. Function: to add an idea or example to the previous point. Words/Phrases used: and; in addition; also; besides; for example; for instance; in fact. Function: to show contrast between points. Words/Phrases used: although; nevertheless; but; however. Function: to show a cause-and-effect relationship. Words/Phrases used: since; because; therefore; as a result.

Transitions
Function: to emphasize a point. Words/Phrases used: in fact; indeed; in other words. Function: to summarize or conclude. Words/Phrases used: in brief; in summary; in short; therefore; as a result; finally.

Transitions

Tone
Be tactful. Dont talk down to your readers. Be thoughtful. Dont apologize for your opinions. Be yourself. Be confident.

Choosing the Right Words

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.

The Writers Toolkit

The Writers Toolkit

1) Use a good dictionary online or otherwise. The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary is best if English is a second language. 2) Use spelling & grammar checkers carefully. Canadian eh? 3) Hand held spell checkers are good. 4) Buy & use a good thesaurus. On-line versions are too vague. The Oxford Thesaurus of Current English or Rogets 21st Century Thesaurus in Dictionary Form are excellent & inexpensive.

A toolkit has its warnings!

7 Deadly Sins of Writing

Wordiness: make every sentence as clear & concise as possible. Slang & Jargon: unless writing for a specific social or professional group avoid expressions that may be misunderstood by your reader. Gobbledygook: avoid pretentious language. Clichs: avoid if at all possible. Sexist language: avoid gender based words. Offensive language: use only if quoting. Abusages: choose words carefully for spelling & use.

Rewriting, Editing & Proofreading

There are 3 steps to revision: 1) Rewrite: change its organization, content, tone etc. 2) Edit: refine paper checking for grammatical errors & spelling. 3) Proofread: correct typos.

Rewriting

Rewriting Checklist
ACCURACY: is your information consistent with your own experience and observations and/or with what youve discovered through research? Are all your facts and evidence up to date? COMPLETENESS: have you included enough main ideas & development to explain your subject & convince your reader? Remember: enough means from the readers point of view, not yours.

A picture of rewriting.

Rewriting Checklist
SUBJECT: is your topic significant? Single? Specific? Supportable? MAIN POINTS: are your main points significant? Distinct? Relevant? Arranged in an appropriate order from the readers p.o.v.? Remember: Choose chronological, climactic, logical or random order.

Rewriting seems to never end.

Rewriting Checklist
PARAGRAPHS: do your paragraphs start with a topic sentence? Develop only 1 main idea? Do you link paragraphs with effective transitions? INTRODUCTION: does it catch your readers attention and hold it? does it have a thesis statement? does it identify your reports main points?

Rewriting Pictorial.

Rewriting Checklist
CONCLUSION: does it have a summary or reinforcement of your main points rephrased? does it have a statement that clinches your argument & leave the reader with something to think about?

It doesnt have to be like this or does it?