Ch 16 - Using Plain and Persuasive Style

Question 1

What are the differences between plain and persuasive style in technical communication?

Answer 1

• Plain - stresses clear wording and simple prose.

* Persuasive - used to influence people to accept ideas and take action.

Question 2

What are eight techniques/guidelines for writing clearly and plainly?

Answer 2

• Make the subject of the sentence what the sentence is about (who did what/what event happened)
• Use the doer as the subject of the sentence (active voice)
• Use a verb to express the action (active voice)
• Put subject of sentence early in sentence (simplification)
• Eliminate nominalizations - turning verbs and adjectives into nouns (not “an expectation,” but “expected”)
• Eliminate excessive prepositional phrases.
• Eliminate redundancy in sentences.
• Write sentences that are “breathing length”

Question 3

What are the different kinds of sentences used to write plain paragraphs that support claims and flow smoothly?

Answer 3

Transition sentence - use to bridge from one idea/focus to another (optional)
Topic sentence - examples, reasoning, facts, data, anecdotes, definitions, and descriptions
Support sentences - fulfills the goal of the claim/statement
Point sentence - conclusion that sums up the paragraph (optional)

Question 4

When is passive voice appropriate?

Answer 4

• when the readers do not need to know who or what is doing something, and
• the subject of the sentence is what the sentence is about

Question 5

Name five elements of persuasive style.

Answer 5

• Tone - engender desired emotion/attitude
• Similes & Analogies - a is like b & a is to b like c is to d - unfamiliar to familiar
• Metaphors - word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable (“war on cancer” vs “cancer management” - very effective subconsciously, can shift perspective)
• Pace - increase/decrease intensity/speed

Question 6

How do you balance plain and persuasive style?

Answer 6

• Minimally, use plain style.

* Use persuasive style to assist decision making or add color and energy.

Question 7

When can translation programs can be used for transcultural documents?

Answer 7

Smaller texts - emails and websites

Question 8

Name five tips for writing short texts intended to be translated by a program or app by the reader.

Answer 8

Use basic sentences
Use standard punctuation (no ellipses, dashes, colons. etc.)
Use consistent words - use same word to mean same thing
Avoid metaphors, sayings and cliches
Remove cultural, historical, or sports-related references.
Back translate to verify results
Use spell-checker on original and translated texts
Avoid words with double meanings
Minimize jargon and acronyms
Avoid puns and plays on words