Improving sentence clarity

Importance of Sentence Clarity Having sentences that make sense both grammatically and to the main point of the paper are vital to any successful writing. Some questions to ask (HOC): Is the sentence clear to itself? Is the sentence clear in its paragraph? Is the sentence clear to the paper as a whole? Some questions to ask (LOC): Grammatically, is the sentence confusing? Is the meaning complete? Can it be said in a shorter grammatically-correct way? Could a comma help? Do commas hurt?

Transitional Words Using a transitional word is a great way to bring clarity to your writing. Transitional words give sentences sequence, relationship, or emphasis in relation to each other. I like autumn, and yet autumn is a sad time of the year, too. The leaves turn bright shades of red and the weather is mild, but I can't help thinking ahead to the winter and the ice storms that will surely blow through here. In addition, that will be the season of chapped faces, too many layers of clothes to put on, and days when I'll have to shovel heaps of snow from my car's windshield. How does it sound without some transitional words: I like autumn, and autumn is a sad time of the year, too. The leaves turn bright shades of red and the weather is mild. I can't help thinking ahead to the winter and the ice storms that will surely blow through here. That will be the season of chapped faces, too many layers of clothes to put on, and days when I'll have to shovel heaps of snow from my car's windshield.

Subordinate Clauses Subordinate clauses are great for adding background or additional information to a sentence. It is best to always put the subordinate clause either at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Here is a good example: Industrial spying is increasing rapidly because of the growing use of computers to store and process corporate information. Here is a not good example: Industrial spying, because of the growing use of computers to store and process corporate information, is increasing rapidly.

Parallel Constructions When putting a sequence in any ideas or phrases, it is best to use the same or similar grammatical construction so that the reader can follow more easy the set of ideas or thoughts. Good example: In Florida, where the threat of hurricanes is an annual event, we learned that it is important (1) to become aware of the warning signs, (2) to know what precautions to take, and (3) to decide when to seek shelter. Bad example: In Florida, where the threat of hurricanes is an annual event, we learned that it is important (1) to become aware of the warning signs. (2) There are precautions to take, and (3) deciding when to take shelter is important.

Part One Writing practice Take a moment and write a good example of each kind of sentence.

Avoiding Noun Strings Too many nouns can be difficult to understand. If you have too many nouns, you can change the nouns into verbs or adjectives, etc. Bad example: This report explains our investment growth stimulation projects. Good Example This report explains our projects to stimulate growth in investments.

Not all nouns can work like this, but if the noun as a specific suffix, it could work: ~tion, ~sion ~icy, ~acy ~ment ~ance ~al

Avoiding Overuse of Noun Forms of Verbs Noun forms of verbs are known as nominalizations. When you use too many of these nouns, it can sound wordy and cluttered. Just like the endings we just looked at, look for these endings and change them back to a verb for a stronger sentence. Bad example: The implementation of the plan was successful. Good example: The plan was implemented successfully.

Avoid Multiple Negatives Using several negatives is an easy way to confuse a reader! Just use one negative. Common double negatives include: Not unprecedented Shouldn’t do nothing Won’t allow no more Bad example: Less attention is paid to commercials that lack human-interest stories than to other kinds of commercials. Good example: People pay more attention to commercials with human-interest stories than to other kinds of commercials.

Part Two Writing practice Take a moment and write a good example of each kind of sentence.

Vary Choice of Verbs When it is possible, try to find a different verb than “to be” for the main verb of a sentence. Focus on the main intended action of the sentence and find a verb related to that. Unclear sentence: One difference between television news reporting and the coverage provided by newspapers is the time factor between the actual happening of an event and the time it takes to be reported. The problem is that instantaneous coverage is physically impossible for newspapers. Clearer sentence: Television news reporting differs from that of newspapers in that television, unlike newspapers, can provide instantaneous coverage of events as they happen.

Avoid Unclear Pronoun References Be sure that the pronoun that you use in the sentence is a reference to a noun in the previous or current sentence. This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, and we are useful pronouns for referring back to something previously mentioned. Bad example: With the spread of globalized capitalism, American universities increasingly follow a corporate fiscal model, tightening budgets and hiring temporary contract employees as teachers. This has prompted faculty and adjunct instructors at many schools to join unions as a way of protecting job security and benefits. Good example: With the spread of globalized capitalism, American universities increasingly follow a corporate fiscal model, tightening budgets and hiring temporary contract employees as teachers. This trend has prompted faculty and adjunct instructors at many schools to join unions as a way of protecting job security and benefits.

Part Three Writing practice Take a moment and write a good example of each kind of sentence.