4 Flashcards
Since reading takes energy, as a writer, what are the steps of things you need to take into account? As a reader, what are the steps to absorb info?
Writer -> Text
reader -> (interpret) -> text
Where does readers use the most energy?
figuring out what text means.
do text have fixed meanings?
no, they have interpretation
Reading takes energy and the energy goes to?
Interpretation
Energy in interpretation goes into two things? 2*
*Structure
*Substance
Your text need to require from readers _____ amount of energy spent with structure and substance.
same. You don’t want them to spend a lot of time with ideas or flow, or what are they trying to say with this phrase.
Bad scientific writing has?
Writing that requires a disproportionate amount of the reader’s energy to figure out what is it about.
If everything is structured, how can readers discern what deserve emphasis?
*Clauses are independent. Make sure that your main clause is well expressed.
*End placement: save the best for last
*Length of sentences: intensifier, every word must intensify your point.
*Repetition: do you not want to repeat words.
*Semantics: signalling information with words. If something is important, let them know its important.
Why are action verbs important?
they drive your writing.
Why do you want to use active voice?
You are there doing something.
In methods, do you tend to write in passive or active voice?
Active voice.
What do weak verbs do to your reader?
Consumes all of your reader’s energy
Sentences should have a clear _______, and doing a clear _________.
*Character
*Action
Readers should really identify two things in your sentences?
subject, verb
Do you want to avoid introductory clauses?
yes, reduce the use of propositional phrases, such as “in order to do that” vs “to do that”.
