Style Terms for Introduction to Technical Writing – Flashcards

This style error occurs when the person or entity performing the action is not in the subject position of the sentence. To fix: move the actor (what performs the action) to the subject position in the sentence.

The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb. This style error hides credit for ideas and can often indicate sloppy research. Passive Voice Formula: ("to be" verb + past tense verb) in a single verb phrase = Passive Voice. To fix: moving the actor to the subject position of a sentence will force the writer to correct the passive voice.

A verb acting as a noun and hiding the main action of the sentence. Find all the nouns in a sentence, then see if they could be verbs - if they can, they are nominalizations. Use common sense to change all the nominalizations you can without changing the meaning of the sentence.

This issue makes sentences more difficult to read for the average person. Anytime a writer places words between the subject and the verb, the writer is slowing the action of the sentence. Use sparingly and only when necessary. Subject/Verb Separation occurs any time other words appear between the subject and verb in a sentence.

Technical information that your readers are unfamiliar with should come at the end of sentences. Sentences that open with unfamiliar technical terms slow readers.

When the writer puts unimportant information at the end of a sentence. The end of a sentence is the last thing the reader remembers and only important information belongs there. Avoid ending sentences with phrases such as, "however," "according to our records," "for example," etc...

When sentences are not tied together using the old/new information principle. To fix: New information comes at the end of a sentence to introduce the new idea. Once a writer has introduced the new info, then it becomes old information and is available for use at the beginning of sentences.

Language that is not clear or detailed. Non-specific language often related to numbers and times: soon, few, many, several. Non-specific language can include "it" if it begins a sentence or is without clear prior reference.

A word or phrase apparently modifying an unintended word because of its placement in a sentence: e.g., "when young" in "when young, circuses appeal to all of us" or "wearing a ball gown" in the sentence, "She sat on the lap of a fat man wearing a ball gown."

A modifiying phrase or clause that does not sensibly modify any word or words in a sentence. Usually the actor is missing from the sentence: e.g., "Reading a book, the black cat crawled onto my lap." The cat was not reading the book. To fix: add an actor to the sentence.

Three or more nouns together can slow reading. To fix: break these long noun phrases up by adding in articles or prepositions.

1. Words that can have more than one meaning in the context of the sentence: e.g., "The teacher was mad," --was she insane or angry? 2. Typos, misspellings, homonyms used incorrectly.

Two words with the same meaning joined by "and": e.g., "each and every," "full and complete," "null and void," "first and foremost," etc.... To fix: removed extra words.

Unnecessary intensifier or explainer that is already implied by one (or more) of the words: e.g., "very unique," "free gift," "green in color," "round in shape," etc... To fix: remove extra words.

Words that pad a sentence without adding anything of value: e.g.: "due to the fact that" is unnecessary when writers have "because" to use. "In order to" does not need the "in order" portion to communicate the same message.

Often found with the word "not." Tell readers what they need to know and what they should be doing instead of focusing on what they should not be doing: e.g., "You do not not have homework," is more difficult to read and understand than, "You have homework."

Words that the average 8th grade level reader and below would not be familiar with. Any jargon from a specific field. Use sparingly in technical documents unless you know your audience has the necessary vocabulary. Example: "Pursuant to our conversation," comes across as inflated when the writer could have written, "As we discussed."

Language that alienates a specific group or gender: e.g, "Policeman" becomes "Police Officer," "man-made" becomes "synthetic," "autistic children" becomes "children with autism," etc...

Slang, cliches, or brand names that belong only to a specific group or culture: e.g.: "I went home and crashed," becomes "I went home and napped," "Band-Aids" becomes "bandages," "White Out" becomes "liquid paper" or "correction fluid," etc....