Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs Teacher – ShahedRahman

RULES !! • CARE IN SENTENCE DESIGN • Using Short Sentences • Limiting Sentence Content • Economizing on Words • Determining Emphasis in Sentence Design • Giving the Sentences Unity • Arranging Sentences for Clarity • CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGN • Giving Paragraphs Unity • Keeping Paragraphs Short • Making Good Use of Topic Sentences • Leaving out Unnecessary Details • Giving the Paragraphs Movement

Adaptation • Sentence should be adapted to readers • Use the simpler sentence structures for people who are less able to understand • Use the more complex structures when appropriate • You should aim a little below the level of your reader • Simplification is best for all reader

Using Short Sentences • Readers are busy > Writing efficient you saving their time  • Short sentences communicate better because of mind limitations • Short means 16 - 18 words for middle level readers. • But the excessive use of short words in also bad.

Limiting Sentence Content • Limiting content is one way to make short sentences • Selecting thought units and making separate sentences • Don’t - when thoughts are closely related you want to deemphasize on the content • Avoid overdoing this suggestion. Remember too many short sentences give a choppy effect

Economizing on Words • Another way to shorten sentences is through word economy • Seek shorter ways of saying things • Some suggestions: • Cluttering Phrases • Surplus Words • Roundabout Constructions • Unnecessary Repetition of Words or Idea

Cluttering Phrases • Avoid cluttering phrases • Substitutes shorter expressions • Example • At the present time >> Now • In the mean time >> Meanwhile • In the near future >> Soon • On the basis of >> By

Surplus Words • Eliminate Surplus Words • Eliminate words that add nothing to sentence meaning • We often use meaningless words as a matter of habit • Example – He ordered a desks that are of the executive type ----- He ordered executive –type desks • There are four rules that should be observed • Four Rules should be observed

Roundabout Constructions • Avoid round about ways of saying things • You can say direct or the same ground in a roundabout way. • Direct always communicates better • Example – He criticized everyone he came in contact with >> he criticized everyone he met. • The department budget can be observed to be decreasing each new year <<< The department budget decreases each year

Unnecessary Repetition of Words or Ideas • Repeat words only for effect and emphasis • He stated thathe believes that we are responsible >> He stated that he believes we are responsible • We must assemble together at 10:30 am in the morning >> We must assemble at 10:30 am

Determining Emphasis in Sentence Design • You should give every item its due emphasis ( Importance ) • Short sentences emphasize contents • Long sentences de-emphasize contents • Determining emphasis is a matter of good judgment • Example – • The company lost money last year. The loss occurred in spite of record sales. ( Equal Emphasis ) • Although the company enjoyed the record sales last year, it lost money. (Emphasis on the lost money) • The company enjoyed record sales last year, although it lost money. ( Emphasis on the record sales )

Giving the Sentence Unity • All parts of a sentence should concern one thought • Good sentence have unity • Three causes of unity error • Unrelated ideas • Excessive details • illogical Constructions

Unrelated Ideas • Placing unrelated ideas in one sentence violates unity • Its not grammatically wrong • You can avoid this error by • Putting unrelated ideas in separate sentences • Subordinating an ideas • Adding word that shows relationship

Excessive Detail • Excessive details is another cause of lack of unity • If the details important put it in a separate sentence • This mean again using short sentence

illogical Constructions • Illogical construction can rob a sentence of unity • Active and Passive voice in the same sentence can violate unity -First we cut prices, and then quality was reduced >>> First we cut prices and then we reduced quality

Arranging Sentences for Clarity • Clear writing requires that you follow the established rules of grammar • These rules are based on custom and logical relationships • Do a proof reading

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGN • Give the paragraphs Unity • The contents of a paragraph should concern one topic or idea (unity ) • But unity can vary in breadth. • Paragraphs unity concern a narrow topic Keeping Paragraphs short • Generally paragraphs should be short • Short paragraphs show organization better than long ones • Most readers prefer to read short paragraphs • About eight lines is a good average length • But length can vary with need

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGN • Making Good Use of Topic Sentences • Topic sentences can help make good paragraphs • Not every paragraphs must have a topic • Placement of the topic sentence depends on the writer’s plan • Leaving out Unnecessary Detail • In writing paragraphs, leave out unnecessary information • But deciding what to include is a matter of judgment

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGN • Giving the Paragraphs Movement • Good writing has movement • Movement is the writing quality that takes the reader towards the goal with a logical step – without side trips and backward shifts. • The progress is steadily forward

Next Week • Midterm Exam • Please go through with the first three chapters. • Make sure you read all the contents of the chapter

Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs