USING READER-ORIENTED LANGUAGEChapter 8

OVERVIEW

In this presentation we’ll discuss why we Use Active Voice Use specific, unambiguous language Use only words that readers need Use simple words Use positive language Use technical terminology consistently and

appropriately Use gender free language

USING ACTIVE VOICE

You will be able to keep your writing in the active voice by Keeping the actor in the subject position Keeping the actor near the beginning of your

sentence Keeping the actor close to the action Keeping the action in the verb Using the imperative mood with an implied “you”

USING SPECIFIC LANGUAGE

Is Clear Is Precise Eliminates questions

your readers might have

Includes details and examples (“such as” and “for example”)

Is unclear Is always imprecise Often contributes to

questions from the reader

Specific Language Vague Language

AVOIDING AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE

Misplaced Modifiers Dangling Modifiers Faulty Word Choice

AVOIDING MISPLACED MODIFIERS

Misplaced modifiers appear to modify the wrong referent.

Our manager suggested to the vice president that we register for the class in San Francisco.

Is the vice president in San Francisco? Do we go to San Francisco to register? Is the class in San Francisco?

To eliminate the ambiguity, place modifiers as close to the referent as you can.

AVOIDING DANGLING MODIFIERS

Dangling modifiers have no referent in the sentence.

Trying to put out the fire, the fire extinguisher broke.To link to other Web sites and topics, the green keywords

should be clicked on.

To identify dangling modifiers, you can often look for passive voice construction.

AVOID FAULTY WORD CHOICE

Stacked nouns Vague words/words with double meanings Redundancies Unnecessary words Inflated words Gender-specific words Negative language Culturally inappropriate language

AVOID USING “STACKED NOUNS”

Noun stacks occur when you use 3 or more nouns back-to-back

The consultant suggested the manager allow time for a fitness center member evaluation. Are the members evaluating the fitness center? Is the fitness center evaluating the members? Is the manager evaluating the members of the

fitness center? Is someone else evaluating the fitness center

members?

Where possible, avoid using a noun to modify a noun

To revise noun stacks, you can usually insert a prepositional phrase

AVOID USING VAGUE WORDS

Avoid using words with more than one meaning (usually a literal meaning and a figurative/conventional meaning)

We were held up at the bank.The seventh graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s

“Hamlet” in the school auditorium on Friday. Parents are invited to attend this tragedy.

USE TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY APPROPRIATELY

Only if your readers have detailed knowledge of the topic

Only for expert readers Consistently use jargon, when you use it

AVOID REDUNDANCIES

Two words have the same meaning, combined by “and” Thought and

consideration Totally and

completely Figure 8.1, page 222

Words that imply other words End result Very unique Absolutely free

Figure 8.2, page 223

Doubled Words Redundant Modifiers

AVOID USING UNNECESSARY WORDS

Eliminate any words not absolutely necessary to convey your meaning and purpose Replace them with specific words (“phrase for a

word”) Eliminate them completely

As a matter of fact, there is an old warehouse that the emergency relief groups can use to house the hurricane victims at this point in time.

The emergency relief groups can now use the old warehouse to house the hurricane victims.

Figure 8.3, page 225 Figure 8.4, page 227

AVOID USING INFLATED WORDS

Eschew Obfuscation! Resist the temptation to use words you

wouldn’t normally use “if you wouldn’t say it, don’t write it” or “just

because you can, doesn’t mean you should” Figure 8.5, page 228

AVOID USING GENDER-SPECIFIC WORDS

Use words that are inclusive, not exclusive Use words that don’t promote stereotypes or

gender roles

AVOID USING NEGATIVE LANGUAGE

Tell readers what something is, instead of what it is not

Tell readers what to do, rather than what not to do

Focus on solutions, rather than problems

USE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

Avoid idioms (expressions whose meaning is different from the standard/literal meaning of the words they contain [sum is greater than the parts])

Use workplace and technical language with which international readers will be familiar (metric measurements, for example)

Avoid localisms (phrases understood by only people living in a specific area)

Avoid brand names Avoid metaphors and allusions

USE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE (CONTINUED)

Explain any language you must use than an international audience might misunderstand

Write simple, clear, complete sentences (relatively short sentences containing only one idea)

Avoid abbreviations, contractions, and acronyms

When referring to disabilities, focus on the disability rather than the person, and avoid using non-PC terms, such as handicapped), page 232

Do not discontinue taking medicine until none of the medicine is left.