Chapter 4 Constructing Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

Using Shorter Sentences Too much information in one sentence clutter’s thoughts and deters communication. Sentences should have readability. Readability – writer being able to communicate with the average middle – level adult reader. Limit the sentence content. Two different types of thoughts and ideas should be in two different sentences. Rule: Question a sentence that has more than 16-18 words.

However Do Remember!! Do not overuse short sentences. Too much of it can give a choppy effect to readings and make it sound immature. Occasionally use moderately long sentences. Increases reader interest and adds variety.

How to Shorten & Simplify Sentences Two Basic Ways Limit Sentence Content: Mentally select different thought contents and then make separate sentences for each. Economizing on Words: Finding shorter ways of saying things.

Example: Limit Sentence Content DON’T Many consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the relatively high prices of the new Japanese cars, but this has not prevented large numbers of people from purchasing these cars and pushing sales higher than many automotive experts had forecast, thus firmly entrenching the Japanese cars in a large segment of the automobile market.

Example: Limit Sentence Content DO Many consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the relatively high prices of the new Japanese cars. However, this has not prevented large numbers of people from purchasing these cars. This pushed sales higher than what many automotive experts had forecast. The Japanese cars have thus become entrenched in a large segment of the automobile market. 4 shorter sentences compared to one long one.

Economizing on Words 1. Cluttering Phrases: A phrase that can be replaced by shorter wording without loss of meaning. In the event that payment is not made by January, operations will stop. If payment is not made by January, operations will stop.

Economizing on Words Cluttering Phrases Along the lines of At the present time For the reason that For the purpose of With regard to In the near future Shorter Substitutions Like Currently/Now Because/ Since For About Soon

Economizing on Words 2. Surplus Words: Avoid words that add nothing to sentence meaning. He ordered desks that are of the executive type. He ordered executive-types desk. In the period between June and August we detected the problem Between June and August we detected the problem

Economizing on Words 3. Roundabout Construction: Direct ways are shorter and help to communicate better. The president is of the opinion that the tax was paid. The president believes the tax was paid. During the time she was employed by the law-firm, Donna was absent only once. While employed by the law-firm, Donna was absent only once.

Economizing on Words 4. Duplications: Repeating words, unless required for emphasis is simply redundant. Our new model is longer in length, than the new one. Our new model is longer, than the new one. We should plan in advance for the future. We should plan.

Giving Sentences Unity For a sentence to have unity all the parts must combine to form one clear thought. Violation of sentence unity can be caused by 2 problems 1. Unrelated Ideas 2. Excessive details

Unrelated Ideas Two or more ideas in one sentence is not grammatically wrong, but they must have a reason for being together. The weather was unusually bad last month, and sales of B&H products increased 12%. Even though the weather was unusually bad last month, sales of B&H products increased 12%.

Excessive Details Putting too much detail into one sentence tends to hide the central thought. If the detail feels important then put it in a separate sentence. Our New York offices, considered plush in the 1990s but now badly in need of renovation, as is the case with most offices that have not been maintained and thus abandoned. Considered plush in the 1990s, our New York offices have not been maintained properly. As they badly need repair we have abandoned them.

Word Sentences Logically Illogically worded sentences occur due to the following 3 reasons 1.Mixed Construction: Jumbling up tense, person, numbers etc. Consumers should read the nutrition labels, but you often don’t take the time to do so. Consumers should read the nutrition labels, but they often don’t take the time to do so.

Word Sentences Logically 2.Misplaced/Dangling Modifiers: Putting illogical modifiers or giving them nothing to modify in the sentence. Eagerly awaiting her birthday, Mary's presents were all picked up. Eagerly awaiting her birthday, Mary picked up all her presents. Hoping to excuse my lateness, the note was written and given to my teacher. Hoping to excuse my lateness, I wrote a note and gave it to my teacher.

Word Sentences Logically 3. Faulty Parallelism: Similarity in words, phrases, or clauses that have similar functions in a sentence. Eating, sleeping & to dance are a few of my favorite activities. Eating, sleeping & dancing are a few of my favorite activities. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and was fixing his tie. The man walked down the street, stopped at a shop window, and fixed his tie.

How to Make Paragraphs Coherent Show coherence through repetition of key words: Before buying plants you should know which varieties are adapted to your area. Adapted varieties usually are sold by local nurseries. Preferably you should state the problem in writing. Stating the problem this way is good for many reasons.

How to Make Paragraphs Coherent Show coherence through the use of pronouns If you think Mr. James is most interested in the conclusion, begin with the conclusion. A direct beginning will permit him to make his decision without delay. If he has confidence in your work, he may not choose to read beyond this point.

How to Make Paragraphs Coherent Show coherence through the use of transition words: The promotion failed for two reasons. First, we had very little preparation time. Second, we were extremely short of experienced salespeople. For three years we had no funds for maintaining the equipment. As a result, we have suffered a succession of breakdowns. They built the building on the site that had been filled. Consequently, the foundation cracked.

Paragraph Design Put one idea or topic in one paragraph Introduce a new idea into the next paragraph Construct shorter paragraphs for better organization Good practice- question a paragraph that is longer than 10 lines Paragraphs should be coherent. Remember- to have an intro, a middle and an ending to your writing.