Style Flashcards
Unparallel Sentence
Not only….But Also
Both….And
Either….Or
Neither…Nor
3x3 Writing Process
1) Prewriting
2) Writing
3) Revise
Revise
1) Revise
2) Proofread
3) Evaluate
Prewriting
1) Analyze
2) Anticipate
3) Adapt
Writing
1) Research
2) Organize
3) Compose
Passive vs. Active Voice
Passive - acted upon
Active - Doer of the action
When should a business writer use the passive voice?
1) Deemphasize negative news
2) Conceal the doer of the action
When should a business writer use the active voice?
Most business writing should be done in the active voice because they are easier to understand and shorter
When should a business writer use the direct pattern of organization?
When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or at worst neutral
When should a business writer use the indirect pattern of organization?
When you expect your audience to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased. Works well with bad news, ideas that require persuasion, and sensitive news
When should you cultivate the “you view”?
When your goal is to inform, persuade or promote goodwill
What are the four types of sentences?
1) Simple Sentence
2) Compound Sentence
3) Complex Sentence
4) Complex-Compound Sentence
Simple Sentence
Contains one independent clause
Compound Sentence
Complete Sentence, and Complete Sentence
Complex Sentence
Contains a subordinator (although, since)
Complex-Compound Sentence
Multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause
Explain at least two techniques a writer of a persuasive message should use
1) establish credibility
2) make a reasonable, precise request
3) Tie facts to benefits
Style Checklist
Avoid Long lead ins Remove redundancies Dont convert verbs to nouns Avoid trite phrases Strive for parallelism
