{"id":8929,"date":"2021-05-15T11:39:17","date_gmt":"2021-05-15T15:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/?page_id=8929"},"modified":"2024-05-25T11:03:04","modified_gmt":"2024-05-25T15:03:04","slug":"clarity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/clarity\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarity
PROFESSIONAL WRITING STYLE <\/div>"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Contents & Navigation<\/div>\n
single meanings<\/a><\/div>\n
connotations<\/a><\/div>\n
plain language<\/a><\/div>\n
jargon & acronyms<\/a><\/div>\n
non-literal language (clich\u00e9s)<\/a><\/div>\n
generalizations<\/a><\/div>\n
unclear pronouns<\/a><\/div>\n
unclear modifiers<\/a><\/div>\n
all pro style & editing\u00a0\u00a0 \u3009<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n

Editing for Clarity Strategies<\/h3>\n
<\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #1<\/div>\n
\n
use words with a single meaning<\/div>\n
use caution with polysemic words; polysemy: “The fact of having several meanings; the possession of multiple meanings, senses, or connotations” (OED<\/a>)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Example #1: “Fixed” can mean repaired<\/em> or attached.<\/em> “Fast” can mean quickly<\/em> or firmly<\/em>. So, does “fixed fast” mean repaired<\/em> quickly<\/em>? or attached firmly<\/em>?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Example #2: Let’s table<\/span> this discussion of the table<\/span> on the table<\/span> until there’s an offer on the table<\/span>.<\/p>\n

table<\/span> = verb<\/em>, to postpone or put off until later<\/div>\n
table<\/span> = noun<\/em>, a representation of figures, generally in rows and columns<\/div>\n
table<\/span> = noun<\/em>, a piece of furniture with a flat surface<\/div>\n
offer on the table<\/span> = idiom<\/em>, an offer that’s been made and is open for acceptance<\/div>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #2<\/div>\n
\n
use words with neutral (to positive) connotation<\/div>\n
connotation includes additional feelings and attitudes separate from a word’s primary meaning; use words with neutral (or positive) connotations to maintain clarity.
\n<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
negative connotations<\/td>\npositive or neutral connotations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
scrawny<\/td>\nthin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
conceited<\/td>\nself-confident<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lazy<\/td>\nrelaxed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
nosy<\/td>\ninquisitive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
arrogant<\/td>\nproud<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #3<\/div>\n
\n
use plain language<\/div>\n
whenever possible, use shorter, simpler, more common words and phrases<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The plain language movement has gained attention in recent years. Check out PlainLanguage.gov<\/a>, which reminders writers that clear communications is not only good professional practice, but in some cases, “it’s the law.” Also check out the Plain Language section of the National Archives<\/a>\u2014the “before and after”<\/a> versions of revised government documents are fantastic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
WTF?<\/td>\nPLAIN LANGUAGE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Avoid prolix nebulousness.<\/td>\nAvoid unclear, wordy writing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I suggest you reduce the quantity of alcoholic beverages you ingest.<\/td>\nDrink less.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All parties should converse regarding the most expedient resolution to the quandary.<\/td>\nWe should talk about the best solution [to the problem].<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #4<\/div>\n
\n
avoid jargon and acronyms<\/div>\n
unless you’re sure your audience knows and appreciates such terms, don’t use them<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
WTF?<\/td>\nCLEARER LANGUAGE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I talked about my pedagogical approaches to the instruction of university-level learners in computer-mediated classroom environments at the CEA.<\/td>\nI talked about teaching strategies I use for college classes in computer labs at the College English Association conference.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #5<\/div>\n
\n
avoid non-literal language (clich\u00e9s, colloquialisms, idioms); instead, use concrete language<\/div>\n
best case scenario\u2014they’re vague or meaningless; worst case scenario\u2014they’re completely nonsensical<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CLICHES, COLLOQUIALISMS, IDIOMS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
not by a long shot<\/td>\nleft holding the bag<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
run of the mill<\/td>\ncome full circle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
let the chips fall where they may<\/td>\non the same page<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
touch base<\/td>\nhit the ground running<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #6<\/div>\n
\n
avoid generalizations (use concrete language)<\/div>\n
be specific; be concrete; be clear
\n<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
COMMON GENERALIZATIONS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
always<\/td>\nfew<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
many<\/td>\nmost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
towards the left<\/td>\nslightly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
a lot<\/td>\na little<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #7<\/div>\n
\n
avoid unclear pronouns<\/div>\n
who’s on first?<\/a>; pronoun = word that takes the place of a noun; some examples = it, she, he, they, someone, who<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
HUH?<\/td>\nCLEARER<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
The solutions were prepared in test tubes and later transferred. They<\/strong> were also sterilized.<\/div>\n
What was sterilized? the solutions? or the test tubes?<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
The sterilized solutions were prepared in test tubes and later transferred. (OR)<\/div>\n
The solutions were prepared in sterilized test tubes and later transferred.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Our patients enjoy the warm days while they<\/strong> last.<\/div>\n
What might last? the warm days? or the patients?<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Our patients enjoy the last warm days of summer. (OR)<\/div>\n
With the time they have left, our patients enjoy the warm days.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/span>\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
CLARITY STRATEGY #8<\/div>\n
\n
avoid unclear modifiers<\/div>\n
modifiers = a word or phrase that modifies another word or phrase; can be adjectives, adverbs, participle phrases, and prepositional phrases; see here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
SENTENCE WITH UNCLEAR MODIFIER<\/td>\nWHAT’S UNCLEAR?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Only press the red button in an emergency.<\/td>\n\n
Is an emergency the only situation in which you should press the red button? (There is no other time when you should press the red button.)<\/div>\n
In an emergency, should you only press the red button? (Do not press any of the other buttons\u2014just the red one.)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I saw a man on a hill with a telescope.<\/td>\n\n
Was the man on the hill using or holding a telescope?<\/div>\n
Did you look through a telescope to see the man on the hill?<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This rule proposes the Spring\/Summer subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska for migratory birds that expire on August 31, 2003. (plainlanguage.gov)<\/td>\n\n
Do the regulations expire on August 31, 2003?<\/div>\n
Do the birds expire on August 31, 2003?<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Portions of this course material are adapted from and supplemented with materials licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0<\/a> and materials available under 1996 Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia courtesy of Andy Schmitz’s Creative Commons Book Archive and the University of Hawai’i.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Contents & Navigation single meanings connotations plain language jargon & acronyms non-literal language (clich\u00e9s) generalizations unclear pronouns unclear modifiers all pro style & editing\u00a0\u00a0 \u3009 Editing for Clarity Strategies \u00a0 CLARITY STRATEGY #1 use words with a single meaning use caution with polysemic words; polysemy: “The fact of having several meanings; the possession of multiple […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"no-sidebars.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8929"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8929"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10194,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8929\/revisions\/10194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}