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Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 1
Use these seven techniquesfor structuring effective sentences:
• Use lists.
• Emphasize new and important information.
• Choose an appropriate sentence length.
• Focus on the “real” subject.
• Focus on the “real” verb.
• Use parallel structure.
• Use modifiers effectively.
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Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 2
Use these five guidelinesfor creating effective lists:
• Set off each listed item with a number, a letter, or a symbol (usually a bullet).
• Break up long lists.
• Present the items in a parallel structure.
• Structure and punctuate the lead-in correctly.
• Punctuate the list correctly.
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Use parallel structure:
• Use the same grammatical form for coordinate elements in a sentence. – all clauses either active or passive– all verbs either indicative or imperative– all nouns preceded by the same article
• Parallel structure creates a recognizable pattern and makes a sentence easier to follow.
Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 3
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Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 4
Use modifiers effectively:
• Distinguish between restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers.
• Avoid misplaced modifiers.
• Avoid dangling modifiers.
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Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 5
Choose the right words and phrases:
• Select an appropriate level of formality.• Be clear and specific.• Be concise.• Use inoffensive language.
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Select an appropriate level of formality:
There are three levels of formality:
• informal
• moderately formal
• highly formal
Use a level and tone appropriate for your
• audience
• subject
• purpose
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Informal writing can cause two problems:
• It tends to be imprecise.
• It can be embarrassing.
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Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 8
Use these seven techniquesfor writing clearly and specifically:
• Use the active and passive voice appropriately.
• Be specific.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon.
• Use positive constructions.
• Avoid long noun strings.
• Avoid clichés.
• Avoid euphemisms.
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Chapter 10. Writing Effective Sentences © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 9
Use the active andpassive voice appropriately:
Use the active voice unless
• the agent is clear from the context
• the agent is unknown
• the agent is less important than the action
• a reference to the agent is embarrassing, dangerous, or in some other way inappropriate
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Use these three techniquesfor writing specifically:
• Use precise words.
• Provide adequate detail.
• Avoid ambiguity.
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Avoid unnecessary jargon for four reasons:
• It can be imprecise.• It can be confusing.• It is often seen as condescending.• It is often intimidating.
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Be concise:
• Avoid obvious statements.
• Avoid filler.
• Avoid unnecessary prepositional phrases.
• Avoid wordy phrases.
• Avoid fancy words.
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Follow these six guidelinesfor avoiding sexist language:
• Replace the male-gender words with non-gender-specific words.
• Switch to a different form of the verb.
• Switch to the plural.
• Switch to he or she, he/she, s/he, or his or her.
• Address the reader directly.
• Alternate he and she.
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Follow these five guidelinesfor using the people-first approach:
• Refer to the person first, the disability second.
• Don’t confuse handicap with disability.
• Don’t refer to victimization.
• Don’t refer to a person as “wheelchair bound” or “confined to a wheelchair.”
• Don’t refer to people with disabilities as abnormal.
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Use these seven techniquesin preparing text for translation:
• Use short sentences.• Use the active voice.• Use simple words.• Include a glossary.• Use words that have only one meaning.• Use pronouns carefully.• Avoid jokes, puns, and culture-bound
references.