1. Writing Style and Standards
Use Clarity, Conciseness, & Coherence
Paragraph Construction
Sentence Construction
Word Choice

2. Write Paragraphs That Are:
Clear – easy to follow, easy to understand; use transitions
Concise – avoid inessential information
Coherent – begin with a main idea supported, explained, and developed by the rest of the paragraph

3. Write Sentences That Are:
Clear – easy to follow, easy to understand; use subject/verb/predicate order
Concise – avoid inessential information, subordinate clauses, or complex construction
Coherent – state the main idea first, use one idea at a time

4. Use Words That Are: Clear – precise, specific, concrete, accurate
Concise – avoid wordiness or terms unfamiliar to your audience
Coherent – state definitions for terms early and stay consistent

5. Common Mistakes Comma Splices
Two sentences joined with commas instead of conjunctions
incorrect –
The circuit operates at dc, Ohm’s law applies.
correct –
The circuit operates at dc; Ohm’s law applies.
or –
The circuit operates at dc, and Ohm’s law applies.

6. Common Mistakes Cont Fused Sentences
Two sentences joined without punctuation
incorrect –
The workstation was not designed ergonomically it leaves much to be desired.
correct –
The workstation was not designed ergonomically. It leaves much to be desired.

7. Common Mistakes Cont Misplaced Modifiers
Keep modifiers close to words they modify
incorrect –
Ignorance of science is a phenomenon in society that must be destroyed.
correct –
Ignorance of science is a phenomenon that must be destroyed in society.

8. Common Mistakes Cont Misplaced Modifiers Another example incorrect –
The devices consists of a screw that is inside a barrel that is driven by an electric motor drive.
correct –
The devices consists of a barrel with a screw inside it that is driven by an electric motor drive.

9. Common Mistakes Cont Parallel Structure
Use similar terms for similar ideas
Incorrect –
Microscopic mechanical systems (MEMS) can respond to a variety of inputs, including light, heat, and vibrating objects that cause stimulations.
Correct –
Microscopic mechanical systems (MEMS) can respond to a variety of inputs, including light, heat, vibrations.

10. Common Mistakes Cont Parallel Structure Another example Incorrect –
The extruder is controlled by an Opto 22 control system, which controls temperature in the three heat zones, the die, and motor speed.
Correct –
The extruder is controlled by an Opto 22 control system, which controls the temperature of the three heat zones, the temperature of the die, and speed of the motor.

11. Common Mistakes Cont Verb Agreement
Verbs must agree with their subjects
incorrect –
The implant, along with its associated circuits, were inserted in to the patient’s chest cavity.
correct –
The implant, along with its associated circuits, was inserted in to the patient’s chest cavity.

12. Common Mistakes Cont Pronoun Agreement
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents
incorrect –
Everyone in the lab must replace their radiation badges.
correct –
singular: Everyone in the lab must replace his or her radiation badges.
plural: All people in the lab must replace their radiation badges.

13. Common Mistakes Cont Wordiness Be Brief and Concise Wordy Concise
owing to the fact that
on the order of
at the present time
a very limited number of
because (since)
about
now
few

14. Commonly Misused Words
Affect, verb, to influence Heat affects the surface.
Effect, verb, to bring about A radical change was effected.
Effect, noun, The Coriolis effect will be studied.
Comprise, verb, contains or includes The text comprises all three modes of transfer.
Compose, verb, made up of, constituted of The mixture is composed of sand and gravel.