Module 1: Principles of Clear and Effective Writing

Flashcards covering the key principles of clear and effective writing and relevant rules of grammar from Module 1.

What is Principle 1 of clear and effective writing?

Be careful in your use of words, as improper word choices can drastically alter the intended meaning of a text.

What three common writing habits cause wordiness according to Principle 2?

Roundabout phrasing, verbal deadwood, and redundancy.

How can the roundabout phrasing "is in the possession of" be simplified?

It can be simplified directly to the verb "has".

What is verbal deadwood, and how can "for a period of two months in order to verify" be revised?

Verbal deadwood refers to unnecessary filler words. The phrase can be revised to "for two months to verify".

Why is the phrase "cooperate together to promote hydrophonics in the arid desert" considered redundant?

"Together" is redundant when used with "cooperate", and "arid" is redundant when describing a "desert".

What caution does Principle 3 give regarding the use of adjectives?

While adjectives add detail, overusing or stuffing sentences with too many adjectives ruins writing and makes it difficult for the audience to digest.

What is a euphemism in academic and technical writing?

A euphemism is substituting an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may suggest something unpleasant (such as using "upward adjustments in taxes" for "increase in taxes").

What is genteelism, and what are examples of it?

Genteelism is using overly polite, elegant, or graceful words instead of plain terms (e.g., using "purchase" instead of "buy", or "commencement" instead of "start").

What is nominalization according to Principle 5, and why is it discouraged?

Nominalization is changing strong verbs into nouns and making those nouns the subject. It is discouraged because it drains energy, vitality, and motion from the sentence.

Why is the verb referred to as the "power plant" of a sentence?

Because the verb supplies energy, vitality, and motion to the sentence.

What is the difference in sentence structure between active voice and passive voice?

In active voice, the real subject performs the action. In passive voice, the object of the action takes the subject position, making the sentence more wordy and passive.

How does active voice compare to passive voice in terms of word efficiency?

Active voice is more concise and direct (e.g., "I weighed the sample" uses 4 words), whereas passive voice is more wordy (e.g., "The sample was weighed by me" uses 6 words).

How do intervening connectives like "together with", "as well as", or "in addition to" affect subject-verb agreement?

Intervening words or expressions separated from the subject by connectives do not affect the number of the subject.

How is verb agreement determined when compound subjects are joined by "or" or "nor"?

The verb agrees in number with the nearer of the two subjects.

What rule governs subject-verb agreement when dealing with percentage figures or fractions?

The verb agrees in number with the noun located in the modifying prepositional phrase.

Why do nouns such as "mathematics", "physics", "news", and "measles" require a singular verb?

Because although they are plural in form, they are singular in meaning.

What is the rule regarding verb number for mathematical expressions versus mathematical equations?

Either a singular or plural verb is correct for mathematical expressions, but an equation is always singular.

Which indefinite pronouns always require a singular verb?

Each, every, another, any, one, either, neither, anyone, each one, everyone, no one, anybody, everybody, somebody, a person, and something.

Which indefinite pronouns can take either a singular or plural verb depending on their meaning?

All, none, and some.

When does a collective noun take a singular verb versus a plural verb?

It requires a singular verb when the group is regarded as a single unit, and a plural verb when referring to the individual members or items within the collection.

Which nouns are always used in the singular form?

Baggage, blood, bread, chalk, dirt, dust, furniture, gravel, information, jewelry, machinery, music, poetry, prose, scenery, and equipment.

Which nouns are used in the plural form only?

Clothes, proceeds, scissors, tactics, thanks, tongs, trousers, and refreshments.