Transcript Sentences and Paragraphs

Writing ReadersOriented Sentences &
Paragraphs
Focus on Actors and Actions
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In most writings you can find actors
playing a role in the event of the sentence.
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Make the actors the subjects of your
sentences.
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Put the actions in verbs.
Principle 1
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Make the actors the subjects of your
sentences.
Actor = Subject : We expected to begin the new
uniform policies immediately.
Actor (not =) subject: Our expectation was to
begin the new uniform policies immediately.
Quiz = Alexander’s dream was to conquer the
world. – Does it have actor = or no = subject?
Re-phrase it in the other way that it is not.
No Actor
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In some sentences, the actor doesn’t appear in
the sentence.
Actor (not =) Subject: During the same
conference, the proposal was executed.
Actor = Subject: During the same conference,
the planning commission decided to execute
the proposal.
Quiz = The meeting was held as scheduled but
hardly anyone attended.
Use People as Subjects Whenever Possible
People (not =) Subject: The new sports
program although passed, was rejected
hastily later on.
 People = Subject: Parliament passed the
new sports program, but was hastily
rejected later on.
 Quiz = In spite of the request, the proposal
was not complied with.
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Use the Active Voice
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Passive: As announced earlier, the prescription drug
card program will be eliminated effective at the end of
the year.
Subject = Object of action
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Active: The executive committee (subject = actor) must
file the papers (object) that contains the business
proposal.
Quiz = Write a sentence in passive voice and identify the
subject and object of action.
Put the Action in Verbs
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Readers expect to find the action of a sentence
expressed in verbs. Many writers bury the action
in nouns.
Action in noun: The committee must order an
execution of the plan as ordered.
Action in verb: The committee must execute the
plan as ordered.
Quiz = Frame a sentence that has action in noun
and then rephrase it to have action in verb.
Keep the Actor and Action Separated
Actor and Action separate: Often
managers make a fool of themselves in
front of subordinates and cannot execute
simple plans.
 Actor and action together: ???????
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Principle 3
Put the most important information at the
end.
 Put unfamiliar technical terms at the end.
 Example: ????
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Principle 4
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Tie your sentences together. – You should be in
a position to understand how your sentences
relate to each other. However, your readers
might not.
Put old information near the beginning of a
sentence, and then new information. Maintain
this order.
The first sentence in a paragraph should
introduce the topic.
Use Transition Phrases
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Transitions are words, phrases, and even sentences that
connect one idea or sentence to another.
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Transitions indicate relationships of time, cause and
effect, space, addition, comparison and contrast.
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Example: Therefore, however etc
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Repeat and re-state key words or phrases.
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Example: ??????
EXERCISE
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Exercise 1 – 6 (190 – 193) in Chapter 7
(Do not have to turn in)
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Start working on the exercise in class and
finish it off by next class period.
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Finish a thorough read of Chapter 7 and 8