A Handbook of Writing for Engineer ~Good Style~ (Page103 ~ page109) Speaker : Chiang-Ruei Chen

Definition of good style A style which is appropriate to the needs of the reader. Variant manifestations v.s Variant readerships research report engineers textbook students newspaper children encyclopaedia specialist . . If the level is estimated incorrectly, the information won’t be accepted.  Page 2

ABC rules (1/3) ‘A’ stands for accuracy. Who are my readers? How much does the readers know about the subject? Why does the readers want to read this document? What do I want to tell my readers? What result do I want from their reading of my document?  Page 3

ABC rules (2/3) ‘B’ stands for brevity. Avoid wasting the reader’s time with what is unnecessary or irrelevant.  Page 4

ABC rules (3/3) ‘C’ stands for clarity. What does the writer hope will happen as a result of this writing? Indicate someone Persuade someone Encourage someone  Page 5

Appropriate style --- Courtesy Courtesy involves for consideration for the reader. ‘He or she’ is used advisedly. In letter, the address should be correct. But in long documents, using he or she in turn is appropriate. In the formal writing, the reader is not addressed directly. You will find that becomes ….. (X) It will be fount that ….. (0) Once the appropriate style is chosen, used consistently.  Page 6

Appropriate style --- Formality Formality may also dictate whether writing is active or passive. I recommend this policy. (Too informal) We recommend this policy. This policy is recommended. (Courtesy) I believe that …  It is believed that … I cannot accept the idea that …  The idea is unacceptable that … But passive sentences may be long-winded.  Page 7

Appropriate style --- Unambiguous (1/2) Signs, symbols and abbreviations are potentially ambiguous. In short article, the term in full followed by the abbreviation in brackets at the first usage In longer report, an explanation in the Introduction is better ! However, if the term is used few times, just write it in full each time.  Page 8

Appropriate style --- Unambiguous (2/2) Measurements and numbering also follow conventions. Following the standards whenever possible. Be careful the local common usage, it may conduct confusion. Ex. (m) might be the abbreviation of metre, but it stands for miles actually. Using Arabic number rather than roman number. Small numbers are usually written as words, while larger number are given as figures. No sentence should be ever begin with a figure. Ex: 5 Indian … (X)  Five Indian …  Page 9

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