Writing, job applications, and interviews will be covered this week.
Personal communication reflections require academic writing.
Library Task
Find an article, read abstract, summarize in two sentences.
Constructing a Paragraph
Sentences must relate to each other within a paragraph.
Paragraphs should have at least three sentences.
The topic sentence describes the paragraph's content to the reader.
Subsequent sentences link back to the main topic.
The final sentence links to the next paragraph.
Clarity and Conciseness
Be clear and concise in academic writing.
Use only necessary words.
Edit carefully; consider word choices.
Split complicated sentences to aid the reader.
Things to Avoid
Avoid creative writing tricks.
Maintain a scientific, objective style.
Avoid sudden topic shifts and changing verb tenses.
Be consistent with verb tense.
Paramedic Method
A method to improve writing is the paramedic approach.
Systematic way to make sentences concise.
Reduces word count by removing unnecessary words, passive voice, and redundancies.
Steps of Paramedic Method
Circle prepositions.
Box verb forms of "to be".
Identify the action.
Eliminate unnecessary words.
Example: "In this paragraph, it's a demonstration of the use of a good style in writing of a report" becomes "This paragraph demonstrates good style in report writing."
Regular vs. Irregular Verbs
Regular verbs: Third-person singular has an -s ending (e.g., I walk, you walk, he/she/it walks).
Irregular verbs: Do not follow a strict rule; must be memorized (e.g., to be: I am, you are, he/she/it is).
Jargon, Slang and Idioms
Explain jargon or avoid it, depending on your audience.
Avoid slang and idioms in formal writing.
Euphemisms
Avoid euphemisms; use specific vocabulary relevant to the topic.
Example: Use the word "sex" if the topic is sex.
Biased Language
Avoid biased language related to race, ethnicity, or gender.
Avoid stereotypes.
Consider your audience and context to avoid using language that is only known by some.
Example: Replacing New Zealand specific terms with UK specific terms (or vice versa) to suit the audience.
Active vs. Passive Voice
Use active voice unless instructed otherwise.
Active voice: Subject performs the action (subject-verb-object).
Passive voice: Object is acted upon by the subject (object-verb-subject).
Active voice is clearer.
Example: "The dog bit the boy" (active) vs. "The boy was bitten by the dog" (passive).
Common Spelling Errors
Except vs. accept
Affect vs. effect
Advise vs. advice
Conscious vs. conscience
Its vs. it's
Whose vs. who's
Pressure vs. pressurize
-able vs. -ible
Malapropisms
Mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one.