NTUT Writing Week 12

NTUT Writing Week 12NTUT Writing Week 12

“Method”“Method”

General Elements in the Method SectionGeneral Elements in the Method Section

**The elements included and the order in which they are presented are not fixed.

--Overview of the Experiment; --Population/Sample; --Location; --Restrictions/Limiting Conditions; --Sampling Technique; --Procedures (always included); --Materials (always included); --Variables; --Statistical Treatment.

**The elements included and the order in which they are presented are not fixed.

--Overview of the Experiment; --Population/Sample; --Location; --Restrictions/Limiting Conditions; --Sampling Technique; --Procedures (always included); --Materials (always included); --Variables; --Statistical Treatment.

Before Reading an Sample PassageBefore Reading an Sample Passage

Consider the following: 1. What elements other than procedures and

materials did the author include in this passage?

2. Does the author include all the elements from the previous list?

3. Did you find this procedural description clear and easy to understand?

Consider the following: 1. What elements other than procedures and

materials did the author include in this passage?

2. Does the author include all the elements from the previous list?

3. Did you find this procedural description clear and easy to understand?

Sample PassageSample Passage

In-Class Drill: Rearrange The Procedures in the Conventional Order

In-Class Drill: Rearrange The Procedures in the Conventional Order

What Elements Are Used in the Following Sentences?

What Elements Are Used in the Following Sentences?

Fill in Appropriate Words and TensesFill in Appropriate Words and Tenses

**Correct Verb Tense in Procedural Descriptions

**Correct Verb Tense in Procedural Descriptions

1. Should usually be described in the simple past tense: sentences not written in the past tense usually do not refer to the procedures used in the study. Instead they may describe standard procedures that are commonly used by others.

Examples: --Surveys were sent to student health services at

180 colleges. --The study was carried out on a marine laboratory

research vessel. --The generators supplied about 14,000 amps when

fully operational.

**In a few fields of study, procedural descriptions can sometimes be written in the simple present tense. You should check journals in your field or ask your advisors to determine which convention to use.

1. Should usually be described in the simple past tense: sentences not written in the past tense usually do not refer to the procedures used in the study. Instead they may describe standard procedures that are commonly used by others.

Examples: --Surveys were sent to student health services at

180 colleges. --The study was carried out on a marine laboratory

research vessel. --The generators supplied about 14,000 amps when

fully operational.

**In a few fields of study, procedural descriptions can sometimes be written in the simple present tense. You should check journals in your field or ask your advisors to determine which convention to use.

Choosing the Appropriate Verb Voice-- Active or Passive

Choosing the Appropriate Verb Voice-- Active or Passive

1. The passive voice is used to describe the procedure in order to depersonalize the information. It also allows you to omit the agent (I or we), placing the emphasis on the procedure and how it was done.

--For reasons related to personal safety, the test facility was constructed (by us) in a remote area 4 miles from the main road.

--Tests were conducted (by me) with four different types of reactors.

(**You might be advised not to use the passive voice: some professors or editors might prefer a more personal style using “I” or “we.”)

2. As for style, your choice of either voices should place old information near the beginning of the sentence and new information at the end.

--The four reactors we tested in the work reported here all contained a platinum catalyst.

--Each reactor-catalyst configuration will be described separately.

--The quartz reactors were manufactured by the Wm. A. Sales Company of Wheeling, Illinois.

1. The passive voice is used to describe the procedure in order to depersonalize the information. It also allows you to omit the agent (I or we), placing the emphasis on the procedure and how it was done.

--For reasons related to personal safety, the test facility was constructed (by us) in a remote area 4 miles from the main road.

--Tests were conducted (by me) with four different types of reactors.

(**You might be advised not to use the passive voice: some professors or editors might prefer a more personal style using “I” or “we.”)

2. As for style, your choice of either voices should place old information near the beginning of the sentence and new information at the end.

--The four reactors we tested in the work reported here all contained a platinum catalyst.

--Each reactor-catalyst configuration will be described separately.

--The quartz reactors were manufactured by the Wm. A. Sales Company of Wheeling, Illinois.

**Structures of the Active and Passive Voices

**Structures of the Active and Passive Voices

Changing the VoiceChanging the Voice

1. We started construction of the reinforced concrete structure in July, 1976, and completed it by May, 1977.

2. We built standard sections of forms for the casting of the concrete.

3. We used concrete of the B225 type, in accordance with government regulations. At the two ends of the structure we constructed wingwalls, and we installed three side openings on the downhill side to provide enough daylight to render the use of electric lights unnecessary.

1. We started construction of the reinforced concrete structure in July, 1976, and completed it by May, 1977.

2. We built standard sections of forms for the casting of the concrete.

3. We used concrete of the B225 type, in accordance with government regulations. At the two ends of the structure we constructed wingwalls, and we installed three side openings on the downhill side to provide enough daylight to render the use of electric lights unnecessary.

Using 3 Types of Short Passive Forms to Describe Procedure

Using 3 Types of Short Passive Forms to Describe Procedure

(I). The 1st Type: compound sentence with 2 identical subjects & two or more verbs in the passive. To shorten this kind of sentence, omit the subject and the be auxiliary in the second part of the sentence.

Example:

(I). The 1st Type: compound sentence with 2 identical subjects & two or more verbs in the passive. To shorten this kind of sentence, omit the subject and the be auxiliary in the second part of the sentence.

Example:

(II). The 2nd Type: also a compound. In this case there are two different subjects, each with different verbs in the passive voice. To shorten this type of sentence, omit the be auxiliary before the second verb.

Example:

(II). The 2nd Type: also a compound. In this case there are two different subjects, each with different verbs in the passive voice. To shorten this type of sentence, omit the be auxiliary before the second verb.

Example:

(III). The 3rd Type: has a which clause containing a passive verb form. In this case, you can shorten the clause by dropping “which” and the be auxiliary.

Example:

(III). The 3rd Type: has a which clause containing a passive verb form. In this case, you can shorten the clause by dropping “which” and the be auxiliary.

Example:

Guidelines for the Following ExerciseGuidelines for the Following Exercise

Indicate if the passive voice is used in a compound sentence or a which clause. Then rewrite each sentence in short form. (Some of the sentences may not be converted to short form.)

Indicate if the passive voice is used in a compound sentence or a which clause. Then rewrite each sentence in short form. (Some of the sentences may not be converted to short form.)

Fill in With Appropriate Be Auxiliary or Past Participle

Fill in With Appropriate Be Auxiliary or Past Participle