Writing Style and Standards

Use Clarity, Conciseness, & Coherence Paragraph Construction Sentence Construction Word Choice

Write Paragraphs That Are:

Clear – easy to follow, easy to understand; use transitions

Concise – avoid inessential information

Coherent – begin with a main idea supported, explained, and developed by the rest of the paragraph

Write Sentences That Are:

Clear – easy to follow, easy to understand; use subject/verb/predicate order

Concise – avoid inessential information, subordinate clauses, or complex construction

Coherent – state the main idea first, use one idea at a time

Use Words That Are:

Clear – precise, specific, concrete, accurate

Concise – avoid wordiness or terms unfamiliar to your audience

Coherent – state definitions for terms early and stay consistent

Common Mistakes

Comma SplicesTwo sentences joined with commas instead of

conjunctionsincorrect –

The circuit operates at dc, Ohm’s law applies.correct –

The circuit operates at dc; Ohm’s law applies.or –

The circuit operates at dc, and Ohm’s law applies.

Common Mistakes Cont

Fused SentencesTwo sentences joined without punctuation

incorrect –

The workstation was not designed ergonomically it leaves much to be desired.correct –

The workstation was not designed ergonomically. It leaves much to be desired.

Common Mistakes Cont

Misplaced ModifiersKeep modifiers close to words they modify

incorrect –Ignorance of science is a phenomenon in

society that must be destroyed.correct –

Ignorance of science is a phenomenon that must be destroyed in society.

Common Mistakes Cont

Misplaced ModifiersAnother example

incorrect –

The devices consists of a screw that is inside a barrel that is driven by an electric motor drive.correct –

The devices consists of a barrel with a screw inside it that is driven by an electric motor drive.

Common Mistakes Cont

Parallel StructureUse similar terms for similar ideas

Incorrect –

Microscopic mechanical systems (MEMS) can respond to a variety of inputs, including light, heat, and vibrating objects that cause stimulations.Correct –

Microscopic mechanical systems (MEMS) can respond to a variety of inputs, including light, heat, vibrations.

Common Mistakes Cont

Parallel StructureAnother example

Incorrect –The extruder is controlled by an Opto 22 control

system, which controls temperature in the three heat zones, the die, and motor speed.Correct –

The extruder is controlled by an Opto 22 control system, which controls the temperature of the three heat zones, the temperature of the die, and speed of the motor.

Common Mistakes Cont

Verb AgreementVerbs must agree with their subjects

incorrect –

The implant, along with its associated circuits, were inserted in to the patient’s chest cavity.correct –

The implant, along with its associated circuits, was inserted in to the patient’s chest cavity.

Common Mistakes Cont

Pronoun AgreementPronouns must agree with their antecedents

incorrect –

Everyone in the lab must replace their radiation badges.correct –

singular: Everyone in the lab must replace his or her radiation badges.

plural: All people in the lab must replace their radiation badges.

Common Mistakes Cont

Wordiness– Be Brief and Concise

Wordy Concise

owing to the fact that

on the order of

at the present time

a very limited number of

because (since)

about

now

few

Commonly Misused Words

Affect, verb, to influenceHeat affects the surface.

Effect, verb, to bring aboutA radical change was effected.

Effect, noun, The Coriolis effect will be studied.

Comprise, verb, contains or includesThe text comprises all three modes of

transfer. Compose, verb, made up of, constituted of

The mixture is composed of sand and gravel.