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Grammar

Grammar. Engineering Communications. sin ( a ) 3 + 4 · 2 = 11 or 14?. Technical Writing. Overview. Sentence structure Subject – verb agreement Noun – pronoun agreement Word choice Punctuation. Capitalization Numbers Secrets for Readability Peer edit Self edit Formats.

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Grammar

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  1. Grammar Engineering Communications

  2. sin (a) 3 + 4 · 2 = 11 or 14?

  3. Technical Writing

  4. Overview Sentence structure Subject – verb agreement Noun – pronoun agreement Word choice Punctuation Capitalization Numbers Secrets for Readability Peer edit Self edit Formats

  5. Sentence Structure • Identify each sentence as • Simple • Compound • Complex • Compound-complex

  6. Sentence Structure - Simple • Simple: independent clause (can have more than one subject and verb) • The engineer designed the project. • The engineer and the architect designed and built the project.

  7. Sentence Structure - Compound • Compound: two independent clauses joined by a semicolon (;) or a comma with a conjunction (and, or, but, for, nor, so, yet). • The dog barked, so the cat ran. • The bird flew; the cat leaped.

  8. Sentence Structure - Complex • Complex: one independent clause and one dependent clause (which, that, where, since, because, etc.) • Since the dog barked, the cat ran. • The bird flew because the cat leaped.

  9. Sentence Structure – Compound-Complex • Compound-complex: at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. • While the dog was barking, the cat was running, and the bird was flying.

  10. Please underline the run-on sentences and circle the fragments.

  11. Lift control devices on aircraft are used to control the vehicle in roll, pitch, and yaw conventional control devices tend to be bulky, heavy, and often require complex systems for actuation and support.Because these devices are prone to flutter. They require special attention in the vehicle design and development stage. In addition, conventional control. Devices tend to require intensive and costly maintenance thus the application of micro-electro-mechanical translational elements, MicroTabs, in the trailing-edge region of lifting surfaces for lift control instead of conventional control systems is investigated.

  12. Subject – Verb Agreement A singular subject needs a singular verb while a plural subject needs a plural verb. Ignore phrases and clauses that separate a subject with the verb. If multiple subjects are joined with and, use a plural verb. A singular verb should be used after each, everyone, everybody, nobody, somebody, every, one, another, and much. A plural verb should be used after both, few, many, others, and several. If a group is acting as unit, a singular verb is used. If the members of the group are acting separately, a plural verb should be used.

  13. Noun – Pronoun Agreement • Nominative vs. Objective • Who / Whom – match the “m” • Who was chosen? • (He was chosen.) • Whom did you ask? • (I asked him.)

  14. Noun – Pronoun Agreement • Agree in numbers • Each engineer must meet with their interns. • Each engineer must meet with his interns. • Engineers must meet with their interns.

  15. Noun – Pronoun Agreement • Agree in usage • Reflexive • You must see if for yourself. • Demonstrative pronoun vs. adjective (this, these, those) • We must learn about pronouns because this is important. • This example is important.

  16. No Personal References • Avoid use of personal references: I, we, our, or us. • Replace with company, department, or product name (Marketing 101 – say it ten times) • We thoroughly researched the project. • UNR thoroughly researched the project.

  17. Practice • Please proofread the paragraph and make appropriate changes.

  18. Alpha Systems decided to change its prototype. The change in the computers is needed because the customers are unhappy. Therefore, the supervisors must meet with their designers to make the changes. Whoever has concerns can contact Tom or me.

  19. Punctuation - Comma • Use a comma where there is a list of three or more items. Do not use a comma if there are only two items. • The panda eats shoots and leaves. • The panda eats, shoots, and leaves. • The panda eats, shoots and leaves.

  20. Punctuation - Comma • Use a comma to set off an introductory dependent clause. • Because the results were wrong, the project was rejected. • Use a comma in a sentence where two complete thoughts are used and separated by and, or, but, for, nor, so, or yet. • Use a comma to separate the year from the day, but a comma is not used to separate the year from the month. • January 28, 2013 • January 2013

  21. Punctuation - Semicolons • Use a semicolon instead of a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, for, nor, so, or yet). • The scientist found the results; the engineer disagreed. • Use a semicolon when two independent clauses are joined by a transition expression (however, furthermore, therefore, accordingly, etc.). • The scientist found the results; however, the engineer disagreed. • Use a semicolon for a long list if commas make the meaning confusing (do not use “and” after a semicolon). • She needed several items: rulers for measuring; pieces of wood to create the model; pen, pencil, and paper to sketch the design; calculator for analysis.

  22. Punctuation - Colons • Use a colon after a salutation in a business letter. • Dear Dr. Joe: • Use a colon for a long list (do not use after a verb or preposition). • The part lists includes the following items: speakers, CD player, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. • Use a colon to separate a title from a subtitle or hours and minutes. • Grammar for Engineers: A Complete Guide

  23. Punctuation – Quotation Marks • Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks. • Colons and semicolons always go outside of the quotation marks. • Question marks and exclamation points can go either place. • The speaker asked, “How many people like Six Sigma?” • When will the speaker stop saying “um”?

  24. Punctuation – Creating Emphasis • Emphasis • De-emphasis: parenthesis • The managers (all engineers) were successful in winning the proposal. • Neutral emphasis: commas • Dr. Joe, the professor, was late to class. • Extra emphasis: dashes • We should diagnose—before calling maintenance—the problem.

  25. Capitalization • Capitalize all official titles of honor and respect when they precede personal names. Do not capitalize the title if the name follows it or is set off by commas. • Capitalize all academic degrees that follow a name, whether they are abbreviated or written out. • Capitalize trade names. • Post-it notes • Do not capitalize seasons or time (a.m. or p.m.)

  26. Word Choice • Avoid clichés • “spark an interest” • Avoid contractions • Avoid addressing the audience • As seen in the appendix • See the appendix • Refer to the append • Use keywords strategically (avoid overuse) • Win-win; synergy; innovative; sustainable

  27. Word Choice • Avoid slang • Avoid “mean” words • Obviously • Basically • In simple terms • Avoid SAT words (resist the urge to right click synonyms) • Choose correct word • further / farther • between / among

  28. Practice • Please choose the correct word.

  29. What did Dr. Joe infer from the report showing how the chemical affects the test? The interns continually break the equipment. Because the project is so mundane, they are uninterested in doing the work. Just among the four of us, I am eager to go on vacation. I hope that we go farther away than London. Please layfewer pieces of stationery on the desk of the principal.

  30. Numbers Basic Rule: Numbers from zero to ten are expressed as words. Numbers from 11 and above are expressed as digits.

  31. Numbers - Express as Words • If the number begins a sentence. • If two numbers are being used together (use smaller of two) • Two 3-pocket file folders • For approximations • About a thousand • If using ordinals • The eleventh person • If the work “o’clock” is understood • It is five.

  32. Numbers – Express as Digits • For dates and times • If the number follows a noun such as page, chapter, etc. • Page 4 • Chapter 3 • If a unit follows a number, always use digit form. Use periods for American units; no periods for SI units. • 2 in. • 2.5 cm

  33. Numbers – Be Consistent • Correct • two-by-four inch piece of wood • 2 in. x 4 in. • Incorrect (mixing abbreviations) • 2 by 4 inches.

  34. Secrets of Readable Writing Use figures Use headings and subheadings Use topic sentences

  35. Self Edit

  36. Self Edit Proofread important or technical material at least twice. To check numbers, try to read numbers digit-by-digit backwards. Use a yellow sheet of paper to go line by line. Read the material backwards. It prevents your brain from filling in missing information. Check all calculations in tables. This is especially important when using Excel with formulas. Excel will calculate several decimal places even if it only displays a few decimals places.

  37. This paper shows that “being a faithful agent to each employer” should be the second highest Canon in the Code of Ethics. As seen in Fig. 1, after Canon 1, this is the most frequently sighted in cases. By increasing the order of importance, it will hopefully illustrate that engineers should view employers’ standards very highly. We need to recognize the ethical importance of the business we are in.

  38. Peer Edit

  39. Peer Edit Avoid changing the meaning Avoid being a wordsmith Delete as much as possible

  40. References • In-text citations • [ENGR 301, website] • Reference Section • ENGR 301 (website). Retrieved from http://www.engr.unr.edu/courses/301. • The references in the Reference Section must match the references in the text.

  41. Figures • Use “Fig.” unless beginning a sentence • Have a descriptive caption • Center caption and figure • Place caption below figure • If not original work, cite reference in caption

  42. Tables • Have a descriptive caption • Center caption and table • Place unit in cell or in heading • Place caption above table • If not original work, cite reference in caption

  43. Equations • Use Eq. (#) unless beginning a sentence. • Line space above and below equation • Right justify equation number (use a text box) • Equation must be written as an equation (not keyboard strikes)

  44. Other Style Notes • Block style • One inch margins • Single space • Line space between paragraphs; no indent • Page numbers

  45. Formats • Business letter • Memo • E-mail

  46. Abstract • Topic: Same topic as technical briefing • Due: Wed., June 12 • Format: Memo

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