Write Effective Sentences….

1. Write Effective Sentences…. • Use strong active verbs • Unbury verbs disguised as nouns • Use active voice • Use the dependent clause • Avoid over use of prepositional phrases

2. Three Most Common Sentence Types…

3. Use Strong Active Verbs • Avoid weak verbs. They convey practically no sense of action • do, make, perform, have • forms of the verb to be (is, was) • Avoid nouns that are really verbs in disguise • Substitute verbs that create a clear sense of action At the core of every good sentence is a strong, precise verb.

4. Unbury Verbs Disguised as Nouns… Make a recommendation Recommend Formulate an argument Argue Arrive at a conclusion Conclude Disguised verbs get buried in the sentence: The manager came to the realization that telecommuting made sense. The manager realized that telecommuting made sense. Look for words ending in tion or ment. Could they be converted to verbs? Tip

5. Use Active Voice Instead of Passive Voice When Possible… Frisky ate my homework. (4) Frisky = Doer / subject of sentence ate= Active Verb homework = Object of action My homework was eaten by Frisky. (6) homework= Object as subject was eaten = passive verb by Frisky = Doer object of preposition

6. Active or Passive Voice? The metropolis has been scorched by the dragon’s fiery breath. (10) The dragon’s fiery breathscorchedthe metropolis. (7) The technicians demanded longer coffee breaks. (6) The techniciansdemandedlonger coffee breaks. The explosion was caused by a kerosene lamp. (8) A kerosene lamp causedthe explosion. (6)

7. When Passive May Be Used … To emphasize the recipient of an action An investigation was launched. (by accounting). To de-emphasize negative news Cash refunds cannot be made. (by us) T0 conceal the doer of an action An error was made in our sales figures.

8. Passive voice may be more tactful….

9. Use a dependent clause to link parts of a sentence… • A dependent clause… • Highlights the importance of something • Links ideas together • Shows how ideas are related • Start with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun

10. Dependent clauses start with words such As… Subordinating conjunctions Relative Pronouns

11. Use a dependent clause to amplify or qualify parts of a sentence The project was not completed on time becausethe machine parts were stolen. If at first you don't succeed, try something else. A helium nucleus has two protons whereas hydrogen has only one. Energy supplies will dwindle unlesswe conserve.

12. Avoid overuse of prepositional phrases • in progress • on the floor • beside the garage • between the cities • of data-processing equipment • to a Martian • by walking on hot coals • for the people • Less informative alternative to dependent clause • Treat all ideas as grammatically equal • No discrimination • No emphasis among qualifying details • Reader is left to interpret what you are trying to say

13. Avoid overuse of prepositional phrases In their specifications for engine parts, titanium is often requested by engineers because ofits resistance to the effects of high temperatures. (6) Because titanium resists high temperatures, engineers often request it in their engine part specifications. • dependent clause • active voice strong verb • only 1 preposition

14. Editing Approach What to look for….. • Circle the prepositions • Determine the doer • Determine the action What to do ….. • Use dependent clauses instead of prepositional phrases • Use active voice instead of passive • Use strong verbs