Advanced Technical WritingAdvanced Technical Writing

Lecture 1

Mechanics

Writing a Sentence

2

Avoiding Common Errors

of Grammar

One of the most important skills a writer can have is the ability to compose clear, complete sentences. The sentence is the basic unit of communication in all forms of English.

Funk, McMahan,

Elements of Grammar

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REQUIREMENT OF A WRITTEN SENTENCEREQUIREMENT OF A WRITTEN SENTENCE

A capital letter at the beginning A period, a question mark, or an exclamation point at

the end A subject, stated only once A complete verb phrase Standard word order: in English, the regular sequence is Subject + Verb +

Object, with insertions possible at several points in the sequence

An independent core idea that can stand alone ( main clause)

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Combining SentencesCombining Sentences

Example:

1. Dr. George was a successful engineer.

2. He won the prize.

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The most important aspect of grammarThe most important aspect of grammaris understanding what a sentenceis understanding what a sentence isis

Sentence: A sentence is group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought.

Fragment: A fragment being a group of words that either is missing a subject or a verb or does not express a complete thought.

Run-on: A run-on is two or more independent clauses that are not joined properly, for instance, a common mistake is to have a comma between the clauses.

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Which are sentences (S), fragments (F), Which are sentences (S), fragments (F), or run-ons (RO)or run-ons (RO)??

1 Rubidium has no major uses, however, it is more common in the earth than zinc, copper, or nickel.

2 Although carbon dioxide occurs naturally, man has dramatically increased its concentration this past century.

3 Several systems can detect plastic explosives. For example, thermal neutron activation systems, nitrogen sniffer systems, and enhanced x-ray systems.

RO

S

S / F

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Shown in Yellow are corrections to the errors Shown in Yellow are corrections to the errors from the previous slidefrom the previous slide

Although rubidium has no major uses, it is more common in the earth than zinc, copper, or nickel.

Although carbon dioxide occurs naturally, man has dramatically increased its concentration this past century.

Several systems can detect plastic explosives. Examples include thermal neutron activation systems, nitrogen sniffer systems, and enhanced x-ray systems.

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Note that there are several ways Note that there are several ways to correct each of these errorsto correct each of these errors

Rubidium has no major uses; however, it is more common in the earth than zinc, copper, or nickel.

Rubidium has no major uses, but it is more common in the earth than zinc, copper, or nickel.

Rubidium has no major uses. This metal, however, is more common in the earth than zinc, copper, or nickel.

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Avoiding Common Errors of

Punctuation

Punctuation marks are the traffic signs and signals placed along the reader’s road. They tell him when to slow down and when to stop, and sometimes they warn him of the nature of the road ahead. Traffic engineers do not always agree on what signs should be used and where they should be placed, and neither do writers or editors.

Theodore M. BernsteinThe Careful Writer

,

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Use numerals when referring to measurementsUse numerals when referring to measurements

When to write out numbers

Counting (one or two words) twenty-three gages

Informal measurements two hours

First word of sentence Thirty-three...

When to use numerals

Specific measurements 3 volts, 2 seconds, 1 m/s

Percentages 15 percent

Monetary figures $3000

Large numerals 5 million

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We produced a small (amount, number) of autos this year, even (fewer, less) than last year.

A company’s success depends on (its / it's) employees.

The new material is (composed / comprised) of plastic and iodine.

It appears (as if, like) the Department of Energy will choose the third option.

numberfewer

Certain words are commonly misusedCertain words are commonly misused

its

composed

as if

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Reduced weight was the (principal / principle) reason for choosing aluminum.

The talk centered (around / on) the (principal / principle) of virtual work.

(Regrettably / Regretfully), the launch was delayed because of thunderstorms.

You need not proceed any (farther / further) on your test.

The serum had serious side (affects / effects).

principal

Certain words are commonly misusedCertain words are commonly misused

onprinciple

Regrettably

further

effects

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Non-words and nonsensical groupingsNon-words and nonsensical groupingsof words also cause problemsof words also cause problems

Whichever design you choose is (alright / all right) with me.

(Irregardless / Regardless) of the shipping delay, the work will stop because of the strike.

Applying that set of constraints is a (most unique / unique / very unique) way to approach the problem.

The serum had (alot / a lot) of side effects.

all right

Regardless

unique

a lot

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Combining SentencesCombining Sentences

Coordination and SubordinationSubordinating conjunctions and

dependent clausesAvoiding fragments with subordinate

clauseClauses with although

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When using subordination, you must be careful to avoid writing illogical sentence. Sometimes, depending upon the logical sequence of events, one idea must be subordinated to another. Avoid illogical subordination.

For example:

Sentence 1:

I was blinded by the setting sun.

Sentence 2:

I drove through a boulevard stop sign.

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Rewrite the sentences as:

Because I drove through a boulevard stop sign, I was blinded by the setting sun. (Incorrect)

I drove through a boulevard stop sign because I was blinded by the setting sun. (Correct)

Because I was blinded by the setting sun, I drove through a boulevard stop sign. (Correct)