writing for sacs
DESCRIPTION
Writing for SACS. Ann Morris Director, SACSCOC Fifth-Year Report Panola College January 2014. Nominalize. Convert a word or phrase into a noun. When writing, focus on the REAL verb in your sentence. Wordy: Academic deans provide an evaluation of instruction. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Writing for SACSAnn Morris
Director, SACSCOC Fifth-Year ReportPanola CollegeJanuary 2014
![Page 2: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Convert a word or phrase into a noun. When writing, focus on the REAL
verb in your sentence. Wordy: Academic deans provide an
evaluation of instruction. Nominalized: Academic deans
evaluate instruction.
Nominalize
![Page 3: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
How would you nominalize this sentence? Budget cuts constitute a
threat to faculty development programs.
Nominalize
What should the real verb be? Hmm…
![Page 4: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Answer: Budget cuts threaten faculty development programs. You’re good!
Nominalize
![Page 5: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Expletive Construction
Avoid beginning sentences with there, here, or it followed by a form of to be.
There is… It is… There are… Wordy: There are several
programs designed to provide academic support to students.
Better: Several programs provide academic support to students.
![Page 6: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
How would you revise this sentence? It is common for over
20 faculty to attend training seminars.
Expletive Construction
I think I should begin this sentence with…
![Page 7: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Answer: Over 20 faculty commonly attend these training seminars. That’s easy enough!
Expletive Construction
![Page 8: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Why is active voice preferred? Shorter, more direct statements Greater clarity (The reader knows
immediately who is doing what.) Sharper imagery
EXCEPTION: Passive voice is needed if you want to focus on the receiver of the action more than the actor.
Active vs. Passive Voice
![Page 9: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Active vs. Passive Voice
We shouldn’t write in the passive voice for SACS.
Why not?
Passive voice is considered weak.
Active voice pushes the sentence forward!
![Page 10: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Passive: All curriculum changes are authorized by the Curriculum Committee.
Active: The Curriculum Committee authorizes all curriculum changes.
Active vs. Passive Voice
![Page 11: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
First sentence - Reword the standard confirming compliance.
Next 2-3 sentences - Provide a road-map for the narrative.
Use headings if needed for multi-part standards.
Final sentence - Summarize by confirming compliance.
How to Get Started Writing
Did you notice? Ann used active voice.
![Page 12: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
“Tell ‘em what you are goin’ to tell ‘em, tell ‘em, and then tell ‘em what you done told ‘em.”
Or, remember what Bro. Freddy says about the ol’ preacher’s style…
And, try to use active voice and limited nominalizations, and when possible avoid expletive construction. –Whew!
![Page 13: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Keep it Concise and Simple
![Page 14: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Responsible persons (that’s us) write, rewrite, edit, and proofread our own standards and requirements.
An appointed proofreader edits OUR FINAL version.
The proofreader also lends the Interim Report its “one voice.”
Proofreader and One Voice
![Page 15: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
The Writer’s Handbook
Great Resource
I know what you’re dying to ask:How long should my response be?
I always told my students…
![Page 16: Writing for SACS](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062218/56816910550346895de028e2/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Apply Winston Churchill’s Speech Theory
SACS response