Sensible Writing and Precis Writing: Notes

Organizing Principles of Paragraphs

  • Paragraphs organize sentences around a single main idea.
  • A pyramid outline aids in identifying main ideas and how paragraphs support the overall message.

Characteristics of Good Paragraphs

  • Unity: Sentences support a single idea, with the topic sentence (usually the first) stating the main message.
    • Effective topic sentences guide the reader and provide a storyline.
  • Coherence: The paragraph follows a recognizable pattern of organization with a logical sentence arrangement.
  • Cohesion: Ideas are clearly connected, showing relationships within the paragraph and between paragraphs.
  • Development of ideas: Every idea is adequately explained and supported with evidence and examples.

Paragraph Organization

  • Paragraphs need clear and logical organization, along with good topic sentences.
  • Common organizational patterns include:
    • Classification
    • Chronological sequence
    • Evidence and illustration
    • Contrast and comparison
    • Cause and effect
  • The writer ensures the paragraph's structure is clear and appropriate for the document.

Paragraph Composition

  • Connecting words and phrases reinforce the paragraph's organizing principle.

1. Classification

  • Breaks down the main message into smaller categories.
  • Example:
    • Problems with applying the ability-to-pay approach:
      • Difficulty in measuring ability to pay; poverty can be transitory.
      • Catastrophic problems where expenditure is great, pushing non-poor into poverty (e.g., accidents, diseases).

2. Chronological

  • Presents events in the order they happened, starting with the first event after the topic sentence.
  • The topic sentence limits the chronological scope.
  • Example:
    • Uganda's economic fortunes:
      • 1960s: Great potential after independence.
      • 1971-79 & 1980-85: Setbacks during military rule and civil war.
      • 1987: Recovery program launched by the new government to restore financial stability and develop human capital.
      • Policy and institutional reforms to deregulate the economy and improve institutional efficiency.
      • Slow progress through the early 1990s.

3. Evidence and Illustration

  • Supports the topic sentence with examples.
  • Example:
    • Collaboration and cooperation:
      • Burkina Faso: Little collaboration between WBI and the country team.
      • Mexico: Some collaboration.
      • Bangladesh: Extensive and fruitful cooperation.
      • Differences traced to WBI Regional Coordinators' management practices.

4. Contrast and Comparison

  • Demonstrates similarities or differences between two or more subjects.
  • Example:
    • Program beneficiary selection:
      • Previously: Chosen by funders.
      • Now: Chosen in consultation with the community.
      • Criteria are jointly decided with community leaders.
      • Community involvement from the design phase ensures sustainability, fair distribution, and minimizes conflict.

5. Cause and Effect

  • Makes a statement and shows its effects.
  • Readers expect to see results or predictions related to the initial statement.
  • Example:
    • Escalation of energy costs:
      • Oil prices have jumped in Central America and East Africa, causing price rises in manufacturing and transportation sectors, making exports less competitive.
      • Natural gas imports consume a significant percentage (represented by YY) of South Asia's government budget, reducing funding for other sectors.
      • Fewer economists predict a promising future for developing nations.

Techniques to Connect Ideas

  • Links provided for further reading: [http://colelearning.net/rw wb/module5/page11.html](http://colelearning.net/rw wb/module5/page11.html) and [http://colelearning.net/rw wb/module5/page12.html](http://colelearning.net/rw wb/module5/page12.html)

Punctuation in Academic Writing

  • Correct punctuation ensures clear communication and gives a good impression of the paper's quality.

Apostrophes

  • Apostrophes indicate possession or are part of a contraction.
    • its (possessive): e.g., 'its length was 2 cm'
    • it's (contraction): e.g., 'it's 2 cm in length'
  • Possessives with proper nouns use an apostrophe.
    • e.g., 'Yi-Chen's paper is interesting, but its [the paper's] figures are hard to interpret.'
  • Contractions should be avoided in formal scientific writing.
    • Instead of writing 'It's striking that the assay's accuracy is so high', write 'It is striking that the assay's accuracy is so high.'
  • Adding a possessive 's' to words ending in 's':
    • Proper names/nouns: 'Tomas's theory was elegant' or 'Tomas' theory was elegant' are both correct.
    • Plural proper nouns: add only an apostrophe (e.g., 'the columns' lengths were 30 cm'). 'the columns's lengths were 30 cm' is incorrect.

Parentheses

  • Used to cite references, provide additional information, define abbreviations, etc.
  • Always come in pairs.
  • Nested parentheses:
    • e.g., 'the buffer (which contained phosphate-buffered saline (PBS))'
    • Some journals require brackets for parenthetical remarks inside parentheses: e.g., 'the buffer (which contained phosphate-buffered saline [PBS])'
  • Brackets or parentheses must come in pairs.

Commas

  • Used after introductory words (e.g., 'however', 'furthermore', 'interestingly').
  • Replace 'and' in a list of adjectives (e.g., 'a single-blind, prospective randomized controlled trial').
  • Semicolons can be used in complex lists to clarify meaning.
    • 'This system can be used for patients with cancer, such as lung cancer, brain cancer, or ovarian cancer; metabolic disorders including diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and porphyria; and autoimmune disorders.'
  • Oxford comma:
    • US English: Comma before 'and' in a list (e.g., 'the samples were freeze-dried, lyophilised, and stored at room temperature')
    • UK English: Omitted (e.g., 'the samples were freeze-dried, lyophilised and stored at room temperature')

Spacing

  • Single space between words.
  • Sentences: Use either one or two spaces after a full stop consistently throughout the document.
  • Mathematical symbols: Include or omit a space consistently before and after symbols.
    • e.g., p < 0.01 instead of p< 0.01.
  • Measurement units: Single space between a number and a unit (e.g., '5 uM'). "5uM" is incorrect.
    • Exception: When used as an adjective, use a hyphen (e.g., '10-kDa protein')
  • Parentheses: Include a single space before and after parentheses in the middle of a sentence (e.g., 'the control group (which was recruited first) was larger'). No space after a parenthesis at the end of a sentence (e.g., '…unlike the control group (which was recruited first).')
    • Exception: Some journals require a parenthetical reference to immediately follow the last word in a sentence, with no intervening space (e.g….according to Hiyaki et al. (2002).').

Special Symbols

  • Insert using the symbol menu in Microsoft Word.
  • Format in the same font as the rest of the text.
  • Define keyboard shortcuts for frequently used symbols.

Precis Writing

  • A Precis is a summary of a story, conveying the gist in as few words as possible.
  • It should contain all essential points and be shorter than the original passage.
  • Aids in comprehension and improves writing skills.
  • Helps express thoughts clearly and concisely.

Writing Precis

  • Read the passage carefully to understand the gist, main message, and theme.
  • Key points should be included, with a focus on language.
  • Follow a particular procedure for effectiveness and use the right diction.

Dos and Don'ts for Precis Writing

  • Dos:
    • Start with the main idea.
    • Remove insignificant information.
    • Create a proper environment to incorporate important points.
    • Mention the objective of writing the Precis.
    • Maintain the original flow of the writer.
    • Add relevant keywords and check word count.
    • Use the past tense for historical facts.
  • Don'ts:
    • Do not use abbreviations or short forms.
    • Do not insert facts from the internet; only use facts from the passage.
    • Do not ask questions; cover them in sentence form.
    • Avoid revolving around the same content.
    • Do not make the Precis too long.

Steps for Precis Writing

  • Read the paragraph carefully before writing.
  • Identify and incorporate the central theme.
  • Check the word count; generally, it should be one-third of the total words.
  • Understand the theme; read the passage multiple times if necessary.
  • Note down or highlight points; find irrelevant points.
  • Choose a title that gives a brief idea of the passage.
  • Arrange the Precis logically in reported speech.
  • Use titles and designations for official Precis.
  • Read for mistakes before submitting.
  • Mention the number of words in brackets at the end.

Elements of Precis

  • Clarity: The reader should clearly understand the story.
  • Correctness: Check punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure.
  • Objectivity: Only use facts; do not give opinions.
  • Conciseness: Avoid repetition and unnecessary words.
  • Coherence: The Precis should make sense and be presented clearly.

Features of a Good Precis

  • Clarity, brevity, and precision are essential.
  • Write in your own words.
  • It is a miniature version of the passage.
  • Well-knit and connected using linking words (e.g., so, therefore, and, because, further).
  • Good title.
  • Coherence and follows the order of the original extract.
  • Contains only information from the passage.

Characteristics of Precis

  • Short and to the point.
  • Demonstrates the content of the original passage.
  • Filters out supporting ideas, supplementary details, and illustrations.
  • Written from the point of view of the original authors.
  • Uses indirect speech.
  • Prefers third-person pronouns.

What a Precis is Not

  • Not just a summary or abstract.
  • Must not have disconnected facts and statements.
  • Cannot contain your opinions.
  • Should not contain any questions.

Basic Word Order in English

  • The basic word order of an English sentence is Subject + Predicate.
  • The predicate tells something about the subject and always includes the verb.
  • Subject + Predicate can be broken down into:
    • subject + verb
    • subject + verb + object
  • Definitions:
    • subject = noun or pronoun (person, place, or thing the sentence is about)
    • verb = action or state of being (one verb or a verb phrase)
    • object = noun(s) that receives or is affected by the verb's action
  • English requires the subject before the verb.
  • Examples:
    • The teacher taught.
    • The students listen.
    • He gave flowers to her.
    • She smiled at the boy.
  • Sentences can be made more descriptive and complex by adding adjectives, adverbs, and indirect objects.