{"id":26,"date":"2023-12-18T16:13:34","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T16:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/chapter\/style\/"},"modified":"2024-01-16T20:02:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T20:02:37","slug":"style","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/chapter\/style\/","title":{"raw":"Style","rendered":"Style"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"style\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><strong>Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Use strong subjects and verbs.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Make your subject the actor.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Keep actor and action together.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Eliminate unnecessary words.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Make appropriate word choices.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11460_1766606829\"><\/a>Learn\u2014Style<\/h2>\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11462_1766606829\"><\/a>Introduction<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Different types of writing have different purposes. For example, creative writing is meant to entertain. Consequently, creative writers take all sorts of liberties with their sentence structures and word choices.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Look at this example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Nelson cannot dance, which is to say he will not, for all dancing is now standing in place and letting the devil of the music enter you, which takes more faith than he\u2019s got. (Updike 1981, 303)<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Strictly speaking, this example makes one point: Nelson won\u2019t dance because he is too unsure. However, the use of figurative language reveals a great deal about Nelson\u2019s state of mind.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">We do not read poetry or novels to learn how to perform tasks but for the pure pleasure of the words and their artistic effect. Literary works are not meant to have one unambiguous meaning. Professional writing, on the other hand, is meant to inform and instruct. Very few people <strong>choose<\/strong> to read instructions for designing a website. You only read them when you want or need to design a website, and you will not want to read more than is necessary. Readers rightly expect instructions to be free of ambiguities. They simply want to achieve their goal quickly and correctly. Using a professional writing style is one way of ensuring that your writing is as clear as possible. But what is writing style?<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">At its most simple level, style is how formal or informal our language is. Look at these examples:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>See ya later at meeting. Ping me if ??<\/li>\r\n \t<li>I look forward to seeing you at the meeting this afternoon at. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The first example is very informal. The writer leaves out words, uses slang, and replaces words like \u201cquestions\u201d with symbols. This level of informality can lead to confusion and isn\u2019t a good choice for professional purposes.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">The second example is more formal and easier to understand.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><a id=\"Xe91cf87d25b98be0b83690164d6c9c93cd8e334\"><\/a>Style choices like the level of formality, the words you use, and the order of those words all affect how well, or even if, your writer will understand what you are writing. In this chapter, we discuss methods for creating a clear writing style that will allow you to meet your readers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11464_1766606829\"><\/a>Use Strong Subjects and Verbs<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Strong sentences have strong subjects that appear at the beginning of the sentence. Strong subjects are important because they help you meet your readers\u2019 expectations by immediately giving them an important piece of information\u2014who is doing what. When the subject of our sentence has no meaning, the reader will struggle to find meaning:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><strong>What is this sentence trying to say?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There has been job loss connected by engineers to the introduction of labor-saving technology.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">What is the subject of this sentence? Did you think it was \u201cjob loss\u201d? It makes sense for <strong>job loss<\/strong> to be the subject of the sentence because that is what the sentence seems to be about, but actually the grammatical subject of this sentence is <strong>there<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There (subject) has been (to-be verb) job loss (subject complement).<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because the subject <strong>there<\/strong> has no meaning, this sentence is difficult to understand without a lot of unnecessary work. It is never a good idea to use <strong>there<\/strong> as the subject of a sentence. It is also best to have human actors as subjects whenever possible. Look at this revision:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Engineers have connected labor-saving technology to job loss.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X2144a024557c773a199d086c70462cc53b0833a\"><\/a>Strong subjects should do the action in the sentence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11466_1766606829\"><\/a>Make Your Subjects Actors<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Generally speaking, it is best to have people act as the subject of sentences when possible. For example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">It is a well-known fact that companies need technical writers.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of this sentence is \u201cit.\u201d But who and what are really doing the action?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Companies need technical writers.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The second sentence is shorter and clearer because a strong subject, \u201ccompanies,\u201d is doing the action, \u201cneeding.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Frequently, when sentences have weak subjects, the sentence also has a passive verb, which is why it is better to use active voice when you can.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">As we learned earlier, what type of verb a sentence contains will determine whether the sentence has a subject that is capable of action.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11468_1766606829\"><\/a>Active Constructions<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Transitive and intransitive verbs normally follow subjects that are capable of action\u2014people or things:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Recently, a tiger (subject) in a Russian zoo abandoned (transitive) her cubs (direct object).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Luckily, a large dog (subject) adopted (transitive) them (direct object).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Without the dog\u2019s help, the cubs (subjects) would be dead (intransitive).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Each of these sentences has an active construction because the subject of the sentence is doing the action of the verb:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #dddddd; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Verb<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>tiger<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">abandoned<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>dog<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">adopted<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>cubs<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">would be dead<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 18.2741%;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 81.1458%;\"><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11470_1766606829\"><\/a>Copular Constructions<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Linking verbs and to-be verbs allow us to create sentences that define or describe\u2014a copular construction:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><strong>Basic Copular Constructions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The sky <strong>is<\/strong> blue.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">He <strong>looks<\/strong> nervous.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of a sentence that uses a linking verb or to-be verb can be a person, thing, object, or concept. The subject does not need to be capable of acting because the to-be verb does the action of saying the subject is or is like the subject complement:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Global warming is (to be) a weather phenomenon (subject complement).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Some scientists believe global warming is (to be) a natural phenomenon (subject complement).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Other scientists believe that it is (to be) human made (subject complement).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Either way, it seems (linking verb) likely (subject complement) to change our weather patterns for many years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Sentences that use to-be and linking verbs are not passive even though they contain to-be verbs. Sentences that follow a subject-verb-subject complement structure allow writers to compare one thing to another or describe one thing as another. These types of copular constructions are very useful when describing or defining abstract concepts because they allow writers to compare the unknown to the known:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">A black hole in space is like a drain in a bathtub.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">So unless you have a specific reason for using passive voice (which we discuss next), you should use one of these constructions:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #dddddd; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Construction<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject + transitive verb + object<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The astronaut attempted to repair the space station.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject<\/strong><strong> + <\/strong><strong>intransitive verb<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">She succeeded.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject + linking or to<\/strong><strong>-<\/strong><strong>be verb + subject complement<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">A black hole in space is like a tunnel in the earth.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 32.1972%;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 67.2226%;\"><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">As with all of your communication choices, the answer to whether to use passive voice depends on the rhetorical situation. For some audiences, purposes, and reasons, passive voice is the best choice. For example, you might need to let your coworkers know that the coffeemaker is broken, but you don\u2019t necessarily need to identify who broke it. It was you! In other contexts, however, such as instructions, passive is not a good choice because the reader needs to know who should do what:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The screw should be attached.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Attach the screw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">But before we can decide when to use passive voice, we have to learn to recognize it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11472_1766606829\"><\/a>Recognize Passive Constructions<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">We call some verb structures \u201cpassive\u201d because within the grammatical structure of the sentence, no actor is present to do the action of the verb, or the actor is present in the sentence but is not the subject of the sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The data was collected by the astronauts on the space shuttle.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this sentence, the subject is \u201cdata.\u201d The action of the sentence is \u201ccollected,\u201d but the subject cannot do the action. \u201cAstronauts\u201d should be doing the collecting, but they are in the prepositional phrase that ends the sentence. Look at this revision:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The astronauts on the space shuttle collected the data.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this version of the sentence, \u201castronauts\u201d is the grammatical subject of the sentence, and they do the action of \u201ccollecting.\u201d Passive constructions must meet three criteria:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The grammatical subject of the sentence is not capable of acting.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The sentence contains a to-be verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being, have been).<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The to-be verb is followed by a past participle (a verb with an <em>-ed<\/em> form; irregular verbs are an exception to this).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Look at the previous example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The data (subject not capable of action) was (to-be verb) collected (past participle) by the astronauts on the space shuttle.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">As you can see, it meets all three criteria to be passive voice. Look at the five sentences below and determine which are examples of passive voice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Yesterday, I discovered that my department\u2019s copier didn\u2019t work.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Apparently, the copier had been broken.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">I didn\u2019t want to take the blame for the broken copier, but I also didn\u2019t want to report the problem.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The copier is expensive, and the repair will be costly.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"X42b5d5f226cb8266372b3963d5e19ccfd5afbd8\"><\/a>The issue will have to be reported by someone other than me.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11474_1766606829\"><\/a><a id=\"Xcb1aabf7a1648a351a7c0bdbb6c01fd566e370d\"><\/a>Don\u2019t Make This Mistake<\/h4>\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #afd095; vertical-align: middle; padding: 5.75pt 5.75pt 0 5.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Note<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #f6f9d4; padding: 5.75pt 5.75pt 0 5.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Remember, a passive construction must meet all three of the criteria listed earlier, not just one or two. Other sentence structures contain to-be verbs, but because they may have an actor or not contain a past participle, they are not passive constructions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Look at these examples:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-BlockText\">Flu is a dangerous illness.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-BlockText\">My sister was ill with flu last year.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-BlockText\">She was hospitalized.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Each of these sentences contains a to-be verb, but they do not contain past participles. In this case, we have a subject, a to-be verb, and a subject complement. These sentences DO NOT have passive constructions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11476_1766606829\"><\/a>When Is Passive Voice a Poor Choice?<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Passive constructions are poor choices for two reasons:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">They do not answer the question \u201cWho did it?\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">They are wordy.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In many cases, who did the action of the sentence is as important or more important than what was done.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Look at these examples:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The election <strong>was won<\/strong> by Chris Taylor.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The meeting on Monday at 4:00 <strong>must be<\/strong> attended by all employees.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The young boy <strong>was saved<\/strong> by the quick actions of the firefighter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">All of these sentences can be revised to reduce the number of words and make it clear who it was and who did what:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><strong>The bolded verbs make these sentences active<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Chris Taylor <strong>won<\/strong> the election.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">All employees must <strong>attend<\/strong> the meeting Monday at 4:00.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The firefighter\u2019s quick actions <strong>saved<\/strong> the young boy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In each of these sentences, we know who was or is responsible for the action of the verb.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Sometimes, however, what was done is more important than who did it, or we may not know who did it. We may even want to protect the person who did it or want to avoid laying blame. Look at these examples:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">My book was stolen from my office. The proposal was rejected.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X74a90b6f1d31a9d6cc8bebb5c1e37659f668d56\"><\/a><a id=\"X90a5d3a1621c6735e76727ef9141e6f964d425f\"><\/a>If something is stolen, we usually don\u2019t know who stole it, so we have to use passive voice. In the second sentence, we might want to avoid saying who rejected the proposal in order to keep the process objective. Another way to make sentences strong is to keep the actor and the action side by side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11478_1766606829\"><\/a>Keep Actor and Action Together<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">As we discussed previously, depending on the sentence type, a sentence may contain one or more subjects as well as multiple verbs. A sentence can also contain one or more phrases. Look at this example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">During the last space mission (phrase), the Russian (modifier) astronaut (subject), who had been living on the space station (relative clause) for several months (phrase), attempted to repair (verb) the malfunctioning (modifier) space station.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this sentence, a relative clause and a phrase come between the subject and the verb. Look at this revision:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">During the last space mission (phrase), the Russian (modifier) astronaut (subject) attempted to repair (verb) the malfunctioning (modifier) space station. She (subject) had been living (verb) on the space station for several months (phrase)<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">By placing the subject and verb together, we have strengthened the sentence. We can also confuse a sentence\u2019s meaning by separating the subject and the verb with unnecessary information or by placing the subject somewhere besides the beginning of the sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">In the bright sunshine (phrase) stood (verb) an old mansion (subject) surrounded (verb) by a moat and wall (phrase), strong and proud (phrase), almost as in the feudal times (phrase).<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">This sentence contains many phrases and modifiers that obscure its meaning, and the verbs come before the subjects. Look at this revision. We now have a subject doing the action of the sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">A moat and wall surrounded the old feudal mansion.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X33426c67d39c3d551f0ba8f173cb8dada512d94\"><\/a>When writing, less is almost always more! This is true of single words as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11480_1766606829\"><\/a>Eliminate Unnecessary Words<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Writers often use more words than are necessary. This problem can have several causes:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Unnecessary repetition<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Weak subjects<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Weak verbs<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Not letting the verb do the action of the sentence<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11482_1766606829\"><\/a>Unnecessary Repetition<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Sometimes, writers repeat words for effect\u2014I came, I saw, I conquered\u2014but professional writing is about function, not effect. Look at this sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">I can go on and on talking about my eagerness to learn more and more about writing.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Do the extra <strong>on<\/strong> and extra <strong>more<\/strong> add to the sentence\u2019s meaning, or do they just get in the way of the writer\u2019s point? Also, the writer uses the verb <strong>go<\/strong> rather than letting <strong>talking<\/strong> do the action of the subject. Let\u2019s get rid of the extra words:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">I could keep talking about my eagerness to learn more about writing.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X3a1d3be439ccf1fc0621c69181d2435710cc1f6\"><\/a>This revised sentence makes the point more clearly and succinctly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11484_1766606829\"><\/a>Weak Subjects<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Look at this sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There are many things that I want to learn from this book.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of this sentence is <strong>there<\/strong>, and the verb is <strong>are<\/strong>. Because <strong>are<\/strong> is a to-be verb, it is followed by the subject complement <strong>things<\/strong>. So this is the core sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There are things.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because both the subject and the complement have no meaning, the sentence has no meaning. The reader must look to the dependent clause that comes last to find out what the sentence is trying to say:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">That I want to learn from this class.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because it begins with the relative pronoun <strong>that<\/strong>, the clause is dependent, but it does have an actor, <strong>I<\/strong>, doing something, <strong>want<\/strong>. Let\u2019s revise the sentence by making <strong>I<\/strong> the subject and placing it first:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">I want to learn many things from this class.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X1688b9fdde120c98c49406e804507e0718e6eee\"><\/a>Now we have someone doing something. Passive constructions and verbs with no action also cause wordiness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11486_1766606829\"><\/a>Weak Verbs<\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">As we discussed earlier, sometimes you will want to use passive voice. However, is this sentence one of those times?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The desire to write was planted in me by my high school English teacher.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of this sentence is <strong>desire<\/strong>, and we know that desire was <strong>planted<\/strong> by the writer\u2019s teacher. Why not let the teacher be the subject of the sentence so they can do the action?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">My high school teacher planted a desire to write in me.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"Xb9d904ff0e4729411a443c782e15469bfe83f68\"><\/a><a id=\"Xf1dded7ea83eb2f7b181659fbb3207776af81f8\"><\/a>By revising this sentence to remove the passive voice and add an actor as the subject, we removed the extra words and made the point much clearer. We also make our sentences wordy when we turn verbs into nouns.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11488_1766606829\"><\/a>Verbs Should Be Actions<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Sometimes, writers take verbs and use them as nouns. In this sentence, <strong>investigate<\/strong> is being used as a noun rather than a verb:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The investigation (noun) of the murder was conducted by the police.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because we made <strong>investigate<\/strong> a noun, <strong>investigation<\/strong>, we have to add another verb, <strong>conducted<\/strong>, to do the action. Adding the extra verb makes the sentence wordy and less accurate. Let\u2019s turn <strong>investigation<\/strong> back into a verb:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The police investigated (verb) the murder.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Now the sentence is shorter and more accurate. Look at this sentence:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The choice (noun) of a school is a decision made by college students every day.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this sentence, the writer makes the verb <strong>to choose<\/strong> into a noun. How would you revise it?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Every day, students choose colleges.<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X0f67a3b50083619cbab565c1e88cb561ef33e98\"><\/a>See the difference? Structure is not the only way to build a strong sentence. You also have to choose the best words.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11490_1766606829\"><\/a>Making Appropriate Word Choices<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">We can replace many words with other words that mean almost the same thing. For example, look at these lists of synonyms:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Use<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">utilize, operate, employ<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">set in motion, put to use, work, wield<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">affirmative, aye, true, correct, certainly, surely, agreed<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Hypothesis<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">question, postulation, supposition, theory, opinion<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Given that you have a large number of words to choose from every time you write a single sentence, the question is, How do you make the right choice? You always choose the word that will communicate most effectively to your audience. For example, match the best word choice to the audience:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Word choices<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Hypothesis<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Question<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Opinion<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Audiences<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Sixth-grade science students<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Law students<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">College chemistry majors<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"import-TableCaption\">Answers for matching word choice to audience<\/p>\r\n\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #dddddd; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Word Choice<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Audience<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Hypothesis<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Chemistry major<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Question<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Sixth-grade science students<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Opinion<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Law students<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 19.0718%;\"><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 80.3481%;\"><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">When deciding what word to use, remember these guidelines:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Choose the word the audience expects<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">When you ask a friend if she wants to go to the movie, you probably don\u2019t expect her to say, \u201cAye.\u201d \u201cYes\u201d or \u201csure\u201d would be fine. However, if you were taking an official vote at a meeting, the chair will say, \u201cAll in favor, say aye.\u201d Context matters.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Most of the time simple is best<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">Very rarely do you need to use \u201cutilize\u201d rather than \u201cuse.\u201d Those sorts of twenty-dollar words sound pretentious, and they don\u2019t add any additional meaning.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Use technical terms when appropriate<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">If you are writing for a group of experts, use technical terms. For example, if you are writing for accountants, use the term \u201caccrue.\u201d They understand that term and its professional meaning. On the other hand, don\u2019t use that word in common conversation: \u201cIf I continue to accrue more shoes, I will need a bigger closet.\u201d Really?<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Use consistent terms<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">Many writers believe that using synonyms rather than repeating the same word multiple times adds variety to their writing. No. When you refer to the \u201creport\u201d in one sentence, the \u201cpaper\u201d in the next, and the \u201cmemo\u201d in the last, you leave your reader wondering if you are talking about one document or three!<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Simple doesn\u2019t mean simplistic<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">Simple means concise and elegant. Simplistic means dull, plain, and lacking. Simple writing uses clear words that convey their meaning with as little potential for misinterpretation as possible. However, in order to convey a clear meaning, you must also use precise words.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">For example, if you are writing instructions for baking cookies, you can\u2019t tell your reader to \u201cwarm the oven.\u201d What does \u201cwarm\u201d mean? Does it mean 200 degrees, 400 degrees, 500 degrees? You must be specific and say, \u201cHeat the oven to 350 degrees.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"Xec68efe7868867b896a7d107fb9d804bcd101e3\"><\/a><a id=\"X82cf260616ce07115ff93302dacb20d80c90d46\"><\/a>If you were writing a safety manual for water safety professionals, you wouldn\u2019t say, \u201cCover your face up with something when you work with dangerous chemicals.\u201d Cover your face with what? A bandana? A ski mask? You would tell them to wear a respirator. Because of their training, they will be familiar with this term.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11492_1766606829\"><\/a>Assess\u2014Style<\/h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Strong sentences should begin with strong subjects and have human actors whenever possible.\r\na. True\r\nb. False<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What is the difference between transitive\/intransitive verbs and linking\/to-be verbs?\r\na. Transitive and intransitive verbs normally follow subjects that are capable of performing the action in real life.\r\nb. Transitive and intransitive verbs are actions that can literally be done.\r\nc. Transitive and intransitive verbs describe the subject and often indicate passive voice.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which three criteria must be met for a sentence to be passive? Select all that apply.\r\na. The grammatical subject is not capable of performing the action.\r\nb. The sentence contains a to-be verb.\r\nc. The sentence has a past participle (verb ending in \u201ced\u201d) after a to-be verb (with some exceptions).\r\nd. The sentence separates the subject and the verb with a phrase.\r\ne. The thing capable of performing the action appears at the end of the sentence.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which of the following are passive voice? Select all that apply.\r\na. The lawn was mowed by my brother.\r\nb. Our collection is admired by several people.\r\nc. Keith was unhappy.\r\nd. The puppy is sleeping.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">A sentence is harder to understand when the subject and verb are separated.\r\na. True\r\nb. False<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which sentences could be rewritten to have the actor and action closer together? Select all that apply.\r\na. The tortoise, which had lived in this lake for twenty years, suddenly went missing.\r\nb. Late in the evening, Sally, exhausted from the long walk home, noticed that she\u2019d forgotten her cell phone back at school.\r\nc. I couldn\u2019t believe that my grandpa went on a solo ski trip without telling us.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Scientific and professional writing is about function, not effect.\r\na. True\r\nb. False<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What can cause sentences to become wordier than necessary? Select all that apply.\r\na. Using unnecessary repetition\r\nb. Not making the subject the actor\r\nc. Using passive voice\r\nd. Not letting the verb do the action of the sentence<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What does it mean for a subject to be \u201can actor\u201d?\r\na. The grammatical subject of a sentence would be able to perform the action described in the sentence in real life (the action might not be the grammatical verb).\r\nb. The verb of a sentence makes sense given the subject.\r\nc. The grammatical subject of a sentence would be able to have the action described in the sentence done to it in real life.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which sentences have subjects that are actors? Select all that apply.\r\na. There are many things that I want to learn from this course.\r\nb. My CDs were cleaned and reorganized.\r\nc. She went crowd-surfing at the concert.\r\nd. I cleaned and reorganized my CDs.\r\ne. What was expected was not this.\r\ne. Sandy shredded his new chew toy in ten minutes.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which sentences use verbs as nouns that could be better used to do the action of the sentence? Select all that apply.\r\na. The investigation of the incident was conducted by the city police.\r\nb. The performance of the team was fantastic.\r\nc. The kitty\u2019s stalking of the bird was silent.\r\nd. Our gaming disturbed his sleep.\r\ne. My coach knew just want to do.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">In professional writing, it\u2019s better to use the same word to repeatedly refer to something rather than using several synonyms.\r\na. True\r\nb. False<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">In professional writing, using big words and technical jargon is preferred over plain language.\r\na. True\r\nb. False<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">What are good guidelines to follow when choosing the words you will use in your writing? Select all that apply.\r\na. Use plain words.\r\nb. Use words with a clear, precise meaning.\r\nc. Use terms suitable for your audience.\r\nd. Use highly technical words.\r\ne. Use the simplest words possible, even if it sacrifices some of your meaning.\r\nf. <a id=\"Xc17818c1ed6d2f7e0bb8097d9bcd648fdaa01d1\"><\/a>Use words that no one other than your audience will know.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11494_1766606829\"><\/a>Engage\u2014Style<\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">How would you review these sentences?<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Provide a revision for each, then respond to at least three of your classmates and let them know how they did.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">There are books that may be dismissed with a single reading.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">It is seldom that a student does equally well in all of his or her subjects.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">The discovery of the American continent was made by Columbus, a native of Italy.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">There are times in the life of everyone when new and strange things occur with such rapidity that one is hardly able to catch one\u2019s breath.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">It is probable that the Southern states would not have begun the Civil War had the Southern people realized the great wealth and resources of the North.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Every day I make observations of other writers.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">I am more prepared than I have ever been before to effectively and successfully write professional documents professionally.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"Xbec38a0a3c74c24b788171e601c32186584b64d\"><\/a>The report was written by the engineers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11496_1766606829\"><\/a>Apply\u2014Style<\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The following assignment is based on this scenario:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Your work in the claims department for Pets Are People Too. Recently, your company had to recall a very popular cat tower because it kept collapsing and posed a safety risk to both cats and their people. However, because the tower is expensive\u2014$800\u2014people who didn\u2019t purchase the product are illegally asking for refunds. In order to ensure they are only offering refunds to legal customers, the company is changing its refund policy.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">The company\u2019s CFO, Chris Craft, drafted the email below to explain the new verification process and asked you to review it. After reading it, you believe the style and tone could be improved:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Dear Refund Requester,<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/>If you actually purchased the Towering Heights Kitty Castle, we apologize sincerely and abjectly for any delay that may have ensued in your ability to receive the refund you legally are owed. If you are one of those people who is trying to game the system, we don\u2019t care about you, so stop reading. As you may have determined from the tone of this message, Pets Are People Too has been plagued by a tsunami of fraudulent demands for refunds on the very expensive Towering Heights. As a result, we have suffered epic losses. To mitigate our damage, we are instituting a new system of purchaser verification that requires you to provide the company with certain forms of information in order to receive a refund. If we do not have proof of your purchase, we will not refund your money. If we do not receive proof of purchase within sixty days, we will close your account and assume you do not want your money back. We appreciate our customers and their pets, and hope you will comply with our request.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Sincerely,<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/>Chris Craft<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11498_1766606829\"><\/a>Your Task<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">For this assignment, complete the following steps:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Identify any errors in style and tone in the email.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Write a brief memo to Chris that:<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Summarizes three issues you found. Support your recommendations by citing your course materials.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"import-Normal\">Suggests changes that will address the issues you identified. Support your recommendations by citing your course materials.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X04df3a6ea0a34993e83c08a80e84dd8ef442c31\"><\/a>As you write, remember to use an indirect approach. You are giving Chris bad news.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11500_1766606829\"><\/a>Assignment Rubric<\/h3>\r\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Superior<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Above Average<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Average<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Below Average<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\">\r\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Failing<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Content<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes all of the required elements of the assignment.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes all of the required elements, though some are underdeveloped.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes most of the required elements.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes some of the required elements.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Does not include all of the required elements.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Style<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is clear and concise and avoids unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is clear and concise and generally avoids unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is mostly clear and concise and mostly avoids unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is occasionally clear and concise but does not avoid unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The style is inappropriate or unclear.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Design<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has a clear visual hierarchy and the writer uses appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has a clear visual hierarchy and the writer uses some appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has a basic visual hierarchy and the writer occasionally uses appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document\u2019s visual hierarchy is weak and the writer doesn\u2019t use appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has no visual hierarchy.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Structure<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The organization of the document is clear and logical and makes strong use of topic sentences and transitions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The organization of the document is generally clear and logical and makes some use of topic sentences and transitions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has an organization and occasionally uses topic sentences and transitions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The structure is weak and the writer rarely uses topic sentences or transitions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has no structure.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Correctness<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has no errors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 2\u20133 errors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 4\u20135 errors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 6\u20137 errors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"Xb59fb954161b925cffa1a1c812f208bace5dff5\"><\/a><a id=\"X4a514d97587ca5aa37c384068f3f4ef3dbf777b\"><\/a>0 points<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 8 or more errors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<td><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"style\">\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><strong>Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Use strong subjects and verbs.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Make your subject the actor.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Keep actor and action together.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Eliminate unnecessary words.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Make appropriate word choices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11460_1766606829\"><\/a>Learn\u2014Style<\/h2>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11462_1766606829\"><\/a>Introduction<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Different types of writing have different purposes. For example, creative writing is meant to entertain. Consequently, creative writers take all sorts of liberties with their sentence structures and word choices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Look at this example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Nelson cannot dance, which is to say he will not, for all dancing is now standing in place and letting the devil of the music enter you, which takes more faith than he\u2019s got. (Updike 1981, 303)<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Strictly speaking, this example makes one point: Nelson won\u2019t dance because he is too unsure. However, the use of figurative language reveals a great deal about Nelson\u2019s state of mind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">We do not read poetry or novels to learn how to perform tasks but for the pure pleasure of the words and their artistic effect. Literary works are not meant to have one unambiguous meaning. Professional writing, on the other hand, is meant to inform and instruct. Very few people <strong>choose<\/strong> to read instructions for designing a website. You only read them when you want or need to design a website, and you will not want to read more than is necessary. Readers rightly expect instructions to be free of ambiguities. They simply want to achieve their goal quickly and correctly. Using a professional writing style is one way of ensuring that your writing is as clear as possible. But what is writing style?<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">At its most simple level, style is how formal or informal our language is. Look at these examples:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<ol>\n<li>See ya later at meeting. Ping me if ??<\/li>\n<li>I look forward to seeing you at the meeting this afternoon at. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The first example is very informal. The writer leaves out words, uses slang, and replaces words like \u201cquestions\u201d with symbols. This level of informality can lead to confusion and isn\u2019t a good choice for professional purposes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">The second example is more formal and easier to understand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><a id=\"Xe91cf87d25b98be0b83690164d6c9c93cd8e334\"><\/a>Style choices like the level of formality, the words you use, and the order of those words all affect how well, or even if, your writer will understand what you are writing. In this chapter, we discuss methods for creating a clear writing style that will allow you to meet your readers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11464_1766606829\"><\/a>Use Strong Subjects and Verbs<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Strong sentences have strong subjects that appear at the beginning of the sentence. Strong subjects are important because they help you meet your readers\u2019 expectations by immediately giving them an important piece of information\u2014who is doing what. When the subject of our sentence has no meaning, the reader will struggle to find meaning:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><strong>What is this sentence trying to say?<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There has been job loss connected by engineers to the introduction of labor-saving technology.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">What is the subject of this sentence? Did you think it was \u201cjob loss\u201d? It makes sense for <strong>job loss<\/strong> to be the subject of the sentence because that is what the sentence seems to be about, but actually the grammatical subject of this sentence is <strong>there<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There (subject) has been (to-be verb) job loss (subject complement).<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because the subject <strong>there<\/strong> has no meaning, this sentence is difficult to understand without a lot of unnecessary work. It is never a good idea to use <strong>there<\/strong> as the subject of a sentence. It is also best to have human actors as subjects whenever possible. Look at this revision:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Engineers have connected labor-saving technology to job loss.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X2144a024557c773a199d086c70462cc53b0833a\"><\/a>Strong subjects should do the action in the sentence.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11466_1766606829\"><\/a>Make Your Subjects Actors<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Generally speaking, it is best to have people act as the subject of sentences when possible. For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">It is a well-known fact that companies need technical writers.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of this sentence is \u201cit.\u201d But who and what are really doing the action?<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Companies need technical writers.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The second sentence is shorter and clearer because a strong subject, \u201ccompanies,\u201d is doing the action, \u201cneeding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Frequently, when sentences have weak subjects, the sentence also has a passive verb, which is why it is better to use active voice when you can.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">As we learned earlier, what type of verb a sentence contains will determine whether the sentence has a subject that is capable of action.<\/p>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11468_1766606829\"><\/a>Active Constructions<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Transitive and intransitive verbs normally follow subjects that are capable of action\u2014people or things:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Recently, a tiger (subject) in a Russian zoo abandoned (transitive) her cubs (direct object).<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Luckily, a large dog (subject) adopted (transitive) them (direct object).<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Without the dog\u2019s help, the cubs (subjects) would be dead (intransitive).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Each of these sentences has an active construction because the subject of the sentence is doing the action of the verb:<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #dddddd; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Verb<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>tiger<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">abandoned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>dog<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">adopted<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 18.2741%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>cubs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 81.1458%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">would be dead<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 18.2741%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 81.1458%;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11470_1766606829\"><\/a>Copular Constructions<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Linking verbs and to-be verbs allow us to create sentences that define or describe\u2014a copular construction:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><strong>Basic Copular Constructions<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The sky <strong>is<\/strong> blue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">He <strong>looks<\/strong> nervous.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of a sentence that uses a linking verb or to-be verb can be a person, thing, object, or concept. The subject does not need to be capable of acting because the to-be verb does the action of saying the subject is or is like the subject complement:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Global warming is (to be) a weather phenomenon (subject complement).<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Some scientists believe global warming is (to be) a natural phenomenon (subject complement).<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Other scientists believe that it is (to be) human made (subject complement).<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Either way, it seems (linking verb) likely (subject complement) to change our weather patterns for many years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Sentences that use to-be and linking verbs are not passive even though they contain to-be verbs. Sentences that follow a subject-verb-subject complement structure allow writers to compare one thing to another or describe one thing as another. These types of copular constructions are very useful when describing or defining abstract concepts because they allow writers to compare the unknown to the known:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">A black hole in space is like a drain in a bathtub.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">So unless you have a specific reason for using passive voice (which we discuss next), you should use one of these constructions:<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #dddddd; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Construction<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject + transitive verb + object<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The astronaut attempted to repair the space station.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject<\/strong><strong> + <\/strong><strong>intransitive verb<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">She succeeded.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 32.1972%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Subject + linking or to<\/strong><strong>-<\/strong><strong>be verb + subject complement<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 67.2226%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">A black hole in space is like a tunnel in the earth.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 32.1972%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 67.2226%;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">As with all of your communication choices, the answer to whether to use passive voice depends on the rhetorical situation. For some audiences, purposes, and reasons, passive voice is the best choice. For example, you might need to let your coworkers know that the coffeemaker is broken, but you don\u2019t necessarily need to identify who broke it. It was you! In other contexts, however, such as instructions, passive is not a good choice because the reader needs to know who should do what:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The screw should be attached.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Attach the screw.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">But before we can decide when to use passive voice, we have to learn to recognize it.<\/p>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11472_1766606829\"><\/a>Recognize Passive Constructions<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">We call some verb structures \u201cpassive\u201d because within the grammatical structure of the sentence, no actor is present to do the action of the verb, or the actor is present in the sentence but is not the subject of the sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The data was collected by the astronauts on the space shuttle.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this sentence, the subject is \u201cdata.\u201d The action of the sentence is \u201ccollected,\u201d but the subject cannot do the action. \u201cAstronauts\u201d should be doing the collecting, but they are in the prepositional phrase that ends the sentence. Look at this revision:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The astronauts on the space shuttle collected the data.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this version of the sentence, \u201castronauts\u201d is the grammatical subject of the sentence, and they do the action of \u201ccollecting.\u201d Passive constructions must meet three criteria:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The grammatical subject of the sentence is not capable of acting.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The sentence contains a to-be verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being, have been).<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The to-be verb is followed by a past participle (a verb with an <em>-ed<\/em> form; irregular verbs are an exception to this).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Look at the previous example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The data (subject not capable of action) was (to-be verb) collected (past participle) by the astronauts on the space shuttle.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">As you can see, it meets all three criteria to be passive voice. Look at the five sentences below and determine which are examples of passive voice.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Yesterday, I discovered that my department\u2019s copier didn\u2019t work.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Apparently, the copier had been broken.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">I didn\u2019t want to take the blame for the broken copier, but I also didn\u2019t want to report the problem.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The copier is expensive, and the repair will be costly.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"X42b5d5f226cb8266372b3963d5e19ccfd5afbd8\"><\/a>The issue will have to be reported by someone other than me.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11474_1766606829\"><\/a><a id=\"Xcb1aabf7a1648a351a7c0bdbb6c01fd566e370d\"><\/a>Don\u2019t Make This Mistake<\/h4>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #afd095; vertical-align: middle; padding: 5.75pt 5.75pt 0 5.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Note<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #f6f9d4; padding: 5.75pt 5.75pt 0 5.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Remember, a passive construction must meet all three of the criteria listed earlier, not just one or two. Other sentence structures contain to-be verbs, but because they may have an actor or not contain a past participle, they are not passive constructions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Look at these examples:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-BlockText\">Flu is a dangerous illness.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-BlockText\">My sister was ill with flu last year.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-BlockText\">She was hospitalized.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Each of these sentences contains a to-be verb, but they do not contain past participles. In this case, we have a subject, a to-be verb, and a subject complement. These sentences DO NOT have passive constructions.<\/p>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11476_1766606829\"><\/a>When Is Passive Voice a Poor Choice?<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Passive constructions are poor choices for two reasons:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">They do not answer the question \u201cWho did it?\u201d<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">They are wordy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In many cases, who did the action of the sentence is as important or more important than what was done.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Look at these examples:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The election <strong>was won<\/strong> by Chris Taylor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The meeting on Monday at 4:00 <strong>must be<\/strong> attended by all employees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The young boy <strong>was saved<\/strong> by the quick actions of the firefighter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">All of these sentences can be revised to reduce the number of words and make it clear who it was and who did what:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\"><strong>The bolded verbs make these sentences active<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Chris Taylor <strong>won<\/strong> the election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">All employees must <strong>attend<\/strong> the meeting Monday at 4:00.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">The firefighter\u2019s quick actions <strong>saved<\/strong> the young boy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In each of these sentences, we know who was or is responsible for the action of the verb.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Sometimes, however, what was done is more important than who did it, or we may not know who did it. We may even want to protect the person who did it or want to avoid laying blame. Look at these examples:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">My book was stolen from my office. The proposal was rejected.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X74a90b6f1d31a9d6cc8bebb5c1e37659f668d56\"><\/a><a id=\"X90a5d3a1621c6735e76727ef9141e6f964d425f\"><\/a>If something is stolen, we usually don\u2019t know who stole it, so we have to use passive voice. In the second sentence, we might want to avoid saying who rejected the proposal in order to keep the process objective. Another way to make sentences strong is to keep the actor and the action side by side.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11478_1766606829\"><\/a>Keep Actor and Action Together<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">As we discussed previously, depending on the sentence type, a sentence may contain one or more subjects as well as multiple verbs. A sentence can also contain one or more phrases. Look at this example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">During the last space mission (phrase), the Russian (modifier) astronaut (subject), who had been living on the space station (relative clause) for several months (phrase), attempted to repair (verb) the malfunctioning (modifier) space station.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this sentence, a relative clause and a phrase come between the subject and the verb. Look at this revision:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">During the last space mission (phrase), the Russian (modifier) astronaut (subject) attempted to repair (verb) the malfunctioning (modifier) space station. She (subject) had been living (verb) on the space station for several months (phrase)<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">By placing the subject and verb together, we have strengthened the sentence. We can also confuse a sentence\u2019s meaning by separating the subject and the verb with unnecessary information or by placing the subject somewhere besides the beginning of the sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">In the bright sunshine (phrase) stood (verb) an old mansion (subject) surrounded (verb) by a moat and wall (phrase), strong and proud (phrase), almost as in the feudal times (phrase).<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">This sentence contains many phrases and modifiers that obscure its meaning, and the verbs come before the subjects. Look at this revision. We now have a subject doing the action of the sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">A moat and wall surrounded the old feudal mansion.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X33426c67d39c3d551f0ba8f173cb8dada512d94\"><\/a>When writing, less is almost always more! This is true of single words as well.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11480_1766606829\"><\/a>Eliminate Unnecessary Words<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Writers often use more words than are necessary. This problem can have several causes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Unnecessary repetition<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Weak subjects<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Weak verbs<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Not letting the verb do the action of the sentence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11482_1766606829\"><\/a>Unnecessary Repetition<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Sometimes, writers repeat words for effect\u2014I came, I saw, I conquered\u2014but professional writing is about function, not effect. Look at this sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">I can go on and on talking about my eagerness to learn more and more about writing.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Do the extra <strong>on<\/strong> and extra <strong>more<\/strong> add to the sentence\u2019s meaning, or do they just get in the way of the writer\u2019s point? Also, the writer uses the verb <strong>go<\/strong> rather than letting <strong>talking<\/strong> do the action of the subject. Let\u2019s get rid of the extra words:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">I could keep talking about my eagerness to learn more about writing.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X3a1d3be439ccf1fc0621c69181d2435710cc1f6\"><\/a>This revised sentence makes the point more clearly and succinctly.<\/p>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11484_1766606829\"><\/a>Weak Subjects<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Look at this sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There are many things that I want to learn from this book.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of this sentence is <strong>there<\/strong>, and the verb is <strong>are<\/strong>. Because <strong>are<\/strong> is a to-be verb, it is followed by the subject complement <strong>things<\/strong>. So this is the core sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">There are things.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because both the subject and the complement have no meaning, the sentence has no meaning. The reader must look to the dependent clause that comes last to find out what the sentence is trying to say:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">That I want to learn from this class.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because it begins with the relative pronoun <strong>that<\/strong>, the clause is dependent, but it does have an actor, <strong>I<\/strong>, doing something, <strong>want<\/strong>. Let\u2019s revise the sentence by making <strong>I<\/strong> the subject and placing it first:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">I want to learn many things from this class.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X1688b9fdde120c98c49406e804507e0718e6eee\"><\/a>Now we have someone doing something. Passive constructions and verbs with no action also cause wordiness.<\/p>\n<h4><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11486_1766606829\"><\/a>Weak Verbs<\/h4>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">As we discussed earlier, sometimes you will want to use passive voice. However, is this sentence one of those times?<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The desire to write was planted in me by my high school English teacher.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The subject of this sentence is <strong>desire<\/strong>, and we know that desire was <strong>planted<\/strong> by the writer\u2019s teacher. Why not let the teacher be the subject of the sentence so they can do the action?<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">My high school teacher planted a desire to write in me.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"Xb9d904ff0e4729411a443c782e15469bfe83f68\"><\/a><a id=\"Xf1dded7ea83eb2f7b181659fbb3207776af81f8\"><\/a>By revising this sentence to remove the passive voice and add an actor as the subject, we removed the extra words and made the point much clearer. We also make our sentences wordy when we turn verbs into nouns.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11488_1766606829\"><\/a>Verbs Should Be Actions<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Sometimes, writers take verbs and use them as nouns. In this sentence, <strong>investigate<\/strong> is being used as a noun rather than a verb:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The investigation (noun) of the murder was conducted by the police.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Because we made <strong>investigate<\/strong> a noun, <strong>investigation<\/strong>, we have to add another verb, <strong>conducted<\/strong>, to do the action. Adding the extra verb makes the sentence wordy and less accurate. Let\u2019s turn <strong>investigation<\/strong> back into a verb:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The police investigated (verb) the murder.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Now the sentence is shorter and more accurate. Look at this sentence:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">The choice (noun) of a school is a decision made by college students every day.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">In this sentence, the writer makes the verb <strong>to choose<\/strong> into a noun. How would you revise it?<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">Every day, students choose colleges.<\/div>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X0f67a3b50083619cbab565c1e88cb561ef33e98\"><\/a>See the difference? Structure is not the only way to build a strong sentence. You also have to choose the best words.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11490_1766606829\"><\/a>Making Appropriate Word Choices<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">We can replace many words with other words that mean almost the same thing. For example, look at these lists of synonyms:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Use<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">utilize, operate, employ<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">set in motion, put to use, work, wield<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">affirmative, aye, true, correct, certainly, surely, agreed<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Hypothesis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">question, postulation, supposition, theory, opinion<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Given that you have a large number of words to choose from every time you write a single sentence, the question is, How do you make the right choice? You always choose the word that will communicate most effectively to your audience. For example, match the best word choice to the audience:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Word choices<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Hypothesis<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Question<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Opinion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">Audiences<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Sixth-grade science students<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Law students<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">College chemistry majors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"import-TableCaption\">Answers for matching word choice to audience<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #dddddd; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Word Choice<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid #000000; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 2.75pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Audience<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Hypothesis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Chemistry major<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Question<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Sixth-grade science students<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #dddddd; padding: 0pt 5.4pt; width: 19.0718%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Opinion<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"background-color: #eeeeee; border-left: 0.5pt solid #000000; padding: 0px 5.4pt; width: 80.3481%;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Law students<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19.0718%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 80.3481%;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">When deciding what word to use, remember these guidelines:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Choose the word the audience expects<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">When you ask a friend if she wants to go to the movie, you probably don\u2019t expect her to say, \u201cAye.\u201d \u201cYes\u201d or \u201csure\u201d would be fine. However, if you were taking an official vote at a meeting, the chair will say, \u201cAll in favor, say aye.\u201d Context matters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Most of the time simple is best<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">Very rarely do you need to use \u201cutilize\u201d rather than \u201cuse.\u201d Those sorts of twenty-dollar words sound pretentious, and they don\u2019t add any additional meaning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Use technical terms when appropriate<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">If you are writing for a group of experts, use technical terms. For example, if you are writing for accountants, use the term \u201caccrue.\u201d They understand that term and its professional meaning. On the other hand, don\u2019t use that word in common conversation: \u201cIf I continue to accrue more shoes, I will need a bigger closet.\u201d Really?<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Use consistent terms<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">Many writers believe that using synonyms rather than repeating the same word multiple times adds variety to their writing. No. When you refer to the \u201creport\u201d in one sentence, the \u201cpaper\u201d in the next, and the \u201cmemo\u201d in the last, you leave your reader wondering if you are talking about one document or three!<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-DefinitionTerm\"><strong>Simple doesn\u2019t mean simplistic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">Simple means concise and elegant. Simplistic means dull, plain, and lacking. Simple writing uses clear words that convey their meaning with as little potential for misinterpretation as possible. However, in order to convey a clear meaning, you must also use precise words.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Definition\">For example, if you are writing instructions for baking cookies, you can\u2019t tell your reader to \u201cwarm the oven.\u201d What does \u201cwarm\u201d mean? Does it mean 200 degrees, 400 degrees, 500 degrees? You must be specific and say, \u201cHeat the oven to 350 degrees.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"Xec68efe7868867b896a7d107fb9d804bcd101e3\"><\/a><a id=\"X82cf260616ce07115ff93302dacb20d80c90d46\"><\/a>If you were writing a safety manual for water safety professionals, you wouldn\u2019t say, \u201cCover your face up with something when you work with dangerous chemicals.\u201d Cover your face with what? A bandana? A ski mask? You would tell them to wear a respirator. Because of their training, they will be familiar with this term.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11492_1766606829\"><\/a>Assess\u2014Style<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Strong sentences should begin with strong subjects and have human actors whenever possible.<br \/>\na. True<br \/>\nb. False<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What is the difference between transitive\/intransitive verbs and linking\/to-be verbs?<br \/>\na. Transitive and intransitive verbs normally follow subjects that are capable of performing the action in real life.<br \/>\nb. Transitive and intransitive verbs are actions that can literally be done.<br \/>\nc. Transitive and intransitive verbs describe the subject and often indicate passive voice.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which three criteria must be met for a sentence to be passive? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. The grammatical subject is not capable of performing the action.<br \/>\nb. The sentence contains a to-be verb.<br \/>\nc. The sentence has a past participle (verb ending in \u201ced\u201d) after a to-be verb (with some exceptions).<br \/>\nd. The sentence separates the subject and the verb with a phrase.<br \/>\ne. The thing capable of performing the action appears at the end of the sentence.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which of the following are passive voice? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. The lawn was mowed by my brother.<br \/>\nb. Our collection is admired by several people.<br \/>\nc. Keith was unhappy.<br \/>\nd. The puppy is sleeping.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">A sentence is harder to understand when the subject and verb are separated.<br \/>\na. True<br \/>\nb. False<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which sentences could be rewritten to have the actor and action closer together? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. The tortoise, which had lived in this lake for twenty years, suddenly went missing.<br \/>\nb. Late in the evening, Sally, exhausted from the long walk home, noticed that she\u2019d forgotten her cell phone back at school.<br \/>\nc. I couldn\u2019t believe that my grandpa went on a solo ski trip without telling us.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Scientific and professional writing is about function, not effect.<br \/>\na. True<br \/>\nb. False<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What can cause sentences to become wordier than necessary? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. Using unnecessary repetition<br \/>\nb. Not making the subject the actor<br \/>\nc. Using passive voice<br \/>\nd. Not letting the verb do the action of the sentence<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What does it mean for a subject to be \u201can actor\u201d?<br \/>\na. The grammatical subject of a sentence would be able to perform the action described in the sentence in real life (the action might not be the grammatical verb).<br \/>\nb. The verb of a sentence makes sense given the subject.<br \/>\nc. The grammatical subject of a sentence would be able to have the action described in the sentence done to it in real life.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which sentences have subjects that are actors? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. There are many things that I want to learn from this course.<br \/>\nb. My CDs were cleaned and reorganized.<br \/>\nc. She went crowd-surfing at the concert.<br \/>\nd. I cleaned and reorganized my CDs.<br \/>\ne. What was expected was not this.<br \/>\ne. Sandy shredded his new chew toy in ten minutes.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Which sentences use verbs as nouns that could be better used to do the action of the sentence? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. The investigation of the incident was conducted by the city police.<br \/>\nb. The performance of the team was fantastic.<br \/>\nc. The kitty\u2019s stalking of the bird was silent.<br \/>\nd. Our gaming disturbed his sleep.<br \/>\ne. My coach knew just want to do.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">In professional writing, it\u2019s better to use the same word to repeatedly refer to something rather than using several synonyms.<br \/>\na. True<br \/>\nb. False<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">In professional writing, using big words and technical jargon is preferred over plain language.<br \/>\na. True<br \/>\nb. False<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">What are good guidelines to follow when choosing the words you will use in your writing? Select all that apply.<br \/>\na. Use plain words.<br \/>\nb. Use words with a clear, precise meaning.<br \/>\nc. Use terms suitable for your audience.<br \/>\nd. Use highly technical words.<br \/>\ne. Use the simplest words possible, even if it sacrifices some of your meaning.<br \/>\nf. <a id=\"Xc17818c1ed6d2f7e0bb8097d9bcd648fdaa01d1\"><\/a>Use words that no one other than your audience will know.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11494_1766606829\"><\/a>Engage\u2014Style<\/h2>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">How would you review these sentences?<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Provide a revision for each, then respond to at least three of your classmates and let them know how they did.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">There are books that may be dismissed with a single reading.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">It is seldom that a student does equally well in all of his or her subjects.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">The discovery of the American continent was made by Columbus, a native of Italy.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">There are times in the life of everyone when new and strange things occur with such rapidity that one is hardly able to catch one\u2019s breath.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">It is probable that the Southern states would not have begun the Civil War had the Southern people realized the great wealth and resources of the North.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Every day I make observations of other writers.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">I am more prepared than I have ever been before to effectively and successfully write professional documents professionally.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"Xbec38a0a3c74c24b788171e601c32186584b64d\"><\/a>The report was written by the engineers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11496_1766606829\"><\/a>Apply\u2014Style<\/h2>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">The following assignment is based on this scenario:<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">Your work in the claims department for Pets Are People Too. Recently, your company had to recall a very popular cat tower because it kept collapsing and posed a safety risk to both cats and their people. However, because the tower is expensive\u2014$800\u2014people who didn\u2019t purchase the product are illegally asking for refunds. In order to ensure they are only offering refunds to legal customers, the company is changing its refund policy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BodyText\">The company\u2019s CFO, Chris Craft, drafted the email below to explain the new verification process and asked you to review it. After reading it, you believe the style and tone could be improved:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\">\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Dear Refund Requester,<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/>If you actually purchased the Towering Heights Kitty Castle, we apologize sincerely and abjectly for any delay that may have ensued in your ability to receive the refund you legally are owed. If you are one of those people who is trying to game the system, we don\u2019t care about you, so stop reading. As you may have determined from the tone of this message, Pets Are People Too has been plagued by a tsunami of fraudulent demands for refunds on the very expensive Towering Heights. As a result, we have suffered epic losses. To mitigate our damage, we are instituting a new system of purchaser verification that requires you to provide the company with certain forms of information in order to receive a refund. If we do not have proof of your purchase, we will not refund your money. If we do not receive proof of purchase within sixty days, we will close your account and assume you do not want your money back. We appreciate our customers and their pets, and hope you will comply with our request.<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-BlockText\" style=\"margin-left: 23.75pt; margin-right: 23.75pt;\">Sincerely,<br style=\"clear: both;\" \/>Chris Craft<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11498_1766606829\"><\/a>Your Task<\/h3>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\">For this assignment, complete the following steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Identify any errors in style and tone in the email.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Write a brief memo to Chris that:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Summarizes three issues you found. Support your recommendations by citing your course materials.<\/li>\n<li class=\"import-Normal\">Suggests changes that will address the issues you identified. Support your recommendations by citing your course materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"import-FirstParagraph\"><a id=\"X04df3a6ea0a34993e83c08a80e84dd8ef442c31\"><\/a>As you write, remember to use an indirect approach. You are giving Chris bad news.<\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"__RefHeading___Toc11500_1766606829\"><\/a>Assignment Rubric<\/h3>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\" style=\"height: 0;\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\">\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Superior<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Above Average<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Average<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; border-top: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Below Average<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"vertical-align: bottom; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\">\n<div class=\"Table-firstRow\">\n<p class=\"import-Compact\"><strong>Failing<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Content<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes all of the required elements of the assignment.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes all of the required elements, though some are underdeveloped.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes most of the required elements.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Includes some of the required elements.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">Does not include all of the required elements.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Style<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is clear and concise and avoids unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is clear and concise and generally avoids unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is mostly clear and concise and mostly avoids unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The writing is occasionally clear and concise but does not avoid unnecessary use of passive constructions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The style is inappropriate or unclear.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Design<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has a clear visual hierarchy and the writer uses appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has a clear visual hierarchy and the writer uses some appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has a basic visual hierarchy and the writer occasionally uses appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document\u2019s visual hierarchy is weak and the writer doesn\u2019t use appropriate methods of presentation such as lists and tables.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has no visual hierarchy.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The organization of the document is clear and logical and makes strong use of topic sentences and transitions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The organization of the document is generally clear and logical and makes some use of topic sentences and transitions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has an organization and occasionally uses topic sentences and transitions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The structure is weak and the writer rarely uses topic sentences or transitions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">0 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has no structure.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Table-R\">\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><strong>Correctness<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">20 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has no errors.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">15 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 2\u20133 errors.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">10 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 4\u20135 errors.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">5 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 6\u20137 errors.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Table-C\" style=\"border-right: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-bottom: solid #000000 0.5pt; border-left: solid #000000 0.5pt; padding: 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt 2.75pt;\">\n<p class=\"import-Normal\"><a id=\"Xb59fb954161b925cffa1a1c812f208bace5dff5\"><\/a><a id=\"X4a514d97587ca5aa37c384068f3f4ef3dbf777b\"><\/a>0 points<\/p>\n<p class=\"import-Normal\">The document has 8 or more errors.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-26","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/26\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/26\/revisions\/119"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/26\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=26"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=26"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openbooks.library.unt.edu\/writeandcommunicate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}