PPT PPT Module Module 16 16 Revising RevisingSentences Sentences and andParagraphs Paragraphs McGraw-Hill/Irwin ©2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights 16-2 Revising Revising Sentences Sentences and and Paragraphs Paragraphs  To learn how to  Build a forceful style  Choose between active and passive voice  Make your writing tight and concise  Vary sentence patterns  Use the right tone 16-3 Revising Revising Sentences Sentences and and Paragraphs Paragraphs Start by answering these questions:  What’s “good” style?  Are there rules I should follow?  What should I look for when I revise sentences?  What should I look for when I revise paragraphs?  How does organizational culture affect style? 16-4 To To Create Create Good Good Style Style  Use friendly, conversational words  Avoid contractions, slang, and even minor grammatical lapses  Edit your writing to sound confident, even in uncomfortable situations  Allow for some individual variation —use your own “voice.” 16-5 Half Half Truths Truths About About Style Style  None of the following is necessarily true—decide what is appropriate based on audience and discourse community:  Write what “sounds” good  Never use I  Use big words 16-6 To To Improve Improve Style Style  Get a clean page or screen  Try WIRMI (What I really mean is)  Read the draft aloud to someone  Ask someone else to read it to you  Read widely and a lot  Use the techniques on the next slide 16-7 To To Revise Revise Sentences Sentences  Use active verbs most of the time  Use strong verbs  Tighten your writing  Vary sentence length and structure  Use parallel structure  Put your readers in your sentences 16-8 To To Revise Revise Paragraphs Paragraphs  Begin most paragraphs with topic sentences  Use transitions to link ideas  e.g., and, but, however, for example, after, moreover 16-9 To To Deal Deal with with Poor Poor Style Style at at Work Work  Use the techniques in this module  Help your boss (or co-worker) learn about writing  Recognize that style may serve purposes other than communication  Ask if people truly like the standard  ... and concise  Vary sentence patterns  Use the right tone 16- 3 Revising Revising Sentences Sentences and and Paragraphs Paragraphs Start by answering these questions:  What’s “good” style?  Are... sentences 16- 8 To To Revise Revise Paragraphs Paragraphs  Begin most paragraphs with topic sentences  Use transitions to link ideas  e.g., and, but, however, for example, after, moreover 16- 9... Work Work  Use the techniques in this module  Help your boss (or co-worker) learn about writing  Recognize that style may serve purposes other than communication  Ask if people truly like