Writing, Rhetoric & Persuasion, Week Two

Review Questions:

1a – Define the term 'plain English'.

Something written in 'plain English' is something written in a way for the general layperson to read and comprehend.  'Plain English' is simplified and straight talk, no technical jargon or complex words.

1b – Briefly explain the phrase 'reader-friendly writing style'.

Reader friendly writing style, as mentioned in the answer for 1a above, is a writing style that's simplified and straight forward.  There's no technical jargon or complex words.  The sentences are short and simple.  There's usually a topic sentence that lets the reader know what they're reading about straight off before continuing on with the comment sentences.

2 – How does writing in plain English advantage the reader?

It helps the reader to get through the reading material quicker and easily comprehend what has been written.

3 – Describe the seven components in a plain English writing style.

The 7 components in plain English Writing style are:

1. Clear – That it's readable
2. Complete – All details are included
3. Concise – not verbose, just including what is necessary.
4. Considerate – Keeping the reader in mind when writing.
5. Courteous – to be tactful and sensitive in how you word what you write
6. Concrete – Don't be vague or beat around the bush to write directly about the subject
7. Correct – Everything about the writing; detail, grammar, punctuation, spelling…

4 – Define the terms 'simple sentence', 'compound sentence' and 'complex sentence'.  Write an example of each type of sentence.

A simple sentence usually has a clause and an adverb, an example would be:

Mary went to the shops.

A compound sentence is usually two or more sentences turned into one:

Mary went to the shops but James went to work.

A complex sentence is one with an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.  An example would be:

James through the ball to Trixie but it was Trina who caught it.

5 – Define the term 'sentence sprawl' and briefly discuss three ways of removing sentence sprawl from your writing.

Sentence sprawl is when the sentence becomes too tiresome for the reader, this could happen when the sentence continues to ramble on with no clear meaning.  Three ways to remove sentence sprawl would be to keep clear and concise, that is to stick to the subject at hand and not use too many words when fewer words are available.  Keep to one clause per sentence so as to make it easier to read.

6a – How do sentences and paragraphs organise the information and help the reader through a piece of writing?

By using a topic sentence, you help the reader to understand what that paragraph is about, then using comment sentences to follow up what was said in the topic sentence, and finding ending with a conclusive sentence which summarises or repeats what the topic sentence says, thereby helping the reader keep track of the subject.

6b – Describe two techniques that can help to organise information into a paragraph.

As mentioned above, start with a topic sentence, and follow up with comment sentences, and don't change topics mid paragraph.

6c – Identify three techniques that can be used to emphasis a point.

Short sentences would be one technique.  Another is choice of words used and finally repetition.

7 – 'The language people use as they communicate can be used as a vehicle of discrimination or a vehicle of inclusion.'
Explain this sentence.

People can discriminate by the choice of words they use, for example words like he or she instead of they or words like chairman instead of chairperson gives the impression that a woman can't do the job.

Equally, when used correctly, words can be inclusive and positive so that others don't feel put down by what is said in written form.

8 – Contrast a positive tone with a negative tone and give an example of each.

An example of positive tone would be: "I am confident that by July, we will have the space to take in more cats."

An example of negative tone would be: "I'm sorry, but we have no room for cats until July."

9 – Briefly describe the design elements that make up the layout of a document.

The design elements of a document can include indentations with or without bullet points and/or numbers.  Depending on the topic, there could be headings and sub-headings which can be indented showing a definite plan to the layout of the document, making it look more professional.

10 – Describe three common errors in writing.

Poor spelling, poor grammar and lack of structure.