GEB 3213 Lecture 4 Clear Writing Good News
GEB 3213 Lecture 4: Clear Writing Good News Messages Lecture Outline
Basic Grammatical Terms • In active construction, the action flows __________________. • In active construction, the actor __________________. • In passive construction, the action __________________. • The verb is always ___________. • The actor __________________.
Passive verb ≠ Passive construction Can you have active construction with a passive verb?
Clarity • Active sentences are _____________________________. • Active sentences are _______________.
Clarity 1 • Golden Rule 1: _________________.
Clarity 1 • • How can you tell if a sentence is passive? The “__________? ” test The verb is _________. The originator of the action ______________.
Clarity 1 • To make a passive sentence active: 1. or 2.
Clarity Principle 3 3. Whenever possible, _________________.
What Makes a Good Sentence? • Ideally, each sentence should contain _________________.
What Makes a Good Sentence? • Active verbs and active construction will help only if your subjects are ___________, rather than ___________.
What Makes a Good Subject? • Think of your subjects as _________________.
What Makes a Good Subject? • When you can’t find a person or thing that is acting in a situation, use a __________.
Clarity Corollary • Avoid Nominalizations • Nominalizations = __________.
Hey, where’d you get the verb? • Nominalizations usually _________________. • To provide your verb(s), turn any nominalization ___________.
Clarity Corollary • For your grammatical subjects, avoid using isolated pronouns like • ______
Clarity Corollary • Avoid using ________ or _______in your sentences. • These constructions make for ________________. • They also _________________ for your sentence.
Clarity Corollary • Place your subjects and verbs _______________.
Clarity Corollary • If you place too much information between subject and verb: • your readers will ___________ by the time they reach the verb. • your readers will ________________.
Types of Business Writing Informative and Positive Messages
Positive Messages • • Share good news _______. Give ____________. Explain ____________. Use ___________, shifting focus away from ______ to _______.
Subject Lines • Make subject lines _________. • Make subject lines ________.
Reader Benefits! • Always stress _______________. • Take focus away from institution or business and onto ________.
Closings • 1. 2. 3. What are three problems with standard closings like “If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me”?
- Slides: 24
