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Sophistication in Writing
Most writing is unsophisticated: it communicates a meaning, but it
does not do so in a memorable way, nor does it provoke a response
on the part of its reader.
Definitions >>>
Sophistication in Writing
Most writing is unsophisticated: it communicates a meaning, but it
does not do so in a memorable way, nor does it provoke a response
on the part of its reader.
NASA made an announcement Wednesday. It concerned a new
species of bacteria discovered in conditions thought to be
unsuitable for life to exist. The discovery increases chances life
might be found on other worlds.
Definitions >>>
Sophistication in Writing
Most writing is unsophisticated: it communicates a meaning, but it
does not do so in a memorable way, nor does it provoke a response
on the part of its reader.
The beginning of sophistication in writing is distinguishing between
the content of writing (the information you wish to convey) and the
effect the writing is intended to have.
Definitions >>>
Sophistication in Writing
Most writing is unsophisticated: it communicates a meaning, but it
does not do so in a memorable way, nor does it provoke a response
on the part of its reader.
The beginning of sophistication in writing is distinguishing between
the content of writing (the information you wish to convey) and the
effect the writing is intended to have.
Think of a sentence as a “complete” thought. Ideas that belong
together (such as the fact set of a lede) should be combined into the
same sentence.
Definitions >>>
Sophistication in Writing
Most writing is unsophisticated: it communicates a meaning, but it
does not do so in a memorable way, nor does it provoke a response
on the part of its reader.
The beginning of sophistication in writing is distinguishing between
the content of writing (the information you wish to convey) and the
effect the writing is intended to have.
Think of a sentence as a “complete” thought. Ideas that belong
together (such as the fact set of a lede) should be combined into the
same sentence.
The discovery of a new species of bacteria thriving in
conditions previously believed unable to support life increases
the chances life might be found on other worlds, NASA officials
announced Wednesday.
Definitions >>>
Sophistication in Writing
Most writing is unsophisticated: it communicates a meaning, but it
does not do so in a memorable way, nor does it provoke a response
on the part of its reader.
The beginning of sophistication in writing is distinguishing between
the content of writing (the information you wish to convey) and the
effect the writing is intended to have.
Think of a sentence as a “complete” thought. Ideas that belong
together (such as the fact set of a lede) should be combined into the
same sentence.
An outline may be a useful first step in organizing your ideas. When
you organize your ideas, they should logically flow from one point to
the next.
Definitions >>>
Definitions
Clause: A group of words that have a subject and predicate. A clause
may be independent (or stand alone; a simple sentence, for example)
or dependant (on a independent clause). A complete idea or point.
Subordination & Coordination >>>
Definitions
Clause: A group of words that have a subject and predicate. A clause
may be independent (or stand alone; a simple sentence, for example)
or dependant (on a independent clause). A complete idea or point.
Phrase: A group of words without a subject and/or predicate that
modify the meaning of another word.
Subordination & Coordination >>>
Definitions
Clause: A group of words that have a subject and predicate. A clause
may be independent (or stand alone; a simple sentence, for example)
or dependant (on a independent clause). A complete idea or point.
Phrase: A group of words without a subject and/or predicate that
modify the meaning of another word.
Sophistication involves using the structure of the sentence to help
convey the overall meaning and indicate a “complete” thought. In
addition to the actual meaning of the words used, the syntax of the
sentence can emphasize/deemphasize or modify information.
Subordination & Coordination >>>
Definitions
Clause: A group of words that have a subject and predicate. A clause
may be independent (or stand alone; a simple sentence, for example)
or dependant (on a independent clause). A complete idea or point.
Phrase: A group of words without a subject and/or predicate that
modify the meaning of another word.
Sophistication involves using the structure of the sentence to help
convey the overall meaning and indicate a “complete” thought. In
addition to the actual meaning of the words used, the syntax of the
sentence can emphasize/deemphasize or modify information.
Making writing sophisticated not only makes it “sound” better, but it
makes it easier to understand and more significant.
Subordination & Coordination >>>
Subordination & Coordination
In unsophisticated writing, we often see multiple simple sentences
used to express a single idea.
The bacteria uses elements believed toxic to life in its
metabolic cycle. This allows the bacteria to live in
environments previously believed unsuitable for life.
Types of Subordination >>>
Subordination & Coordination
In unsophisticated writing, we often see multiple simple sentences
used to express a single idea.
The bacteria uses elements believed toxic to life in its
metabolic cycle. This allows the bacteria to live in
environments previously believed unsuitable for life.
An idea (clause) that is less important than another can be
subordinated to it. Multiple ideas that are equal can be coordinated.
Sophisticated: As it uses elements believed toxic to life in
its metabolic cycle, the bacteria can survive in
environments previously believed unsuitable for life.
Types of Subordination
When an idea is subordinate to another, the subordinate idea is
always related to the main idea in some way. This is indicated by the
use of a subordinator (subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun) to introduce the subordinate clause.
Remember to use a comma after an introductory element—a
subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. Relative clauses
may be either nonrestrictive (requiring commas) or nonrestrictive.
Causal:
Contrast:
Condition:
Effect:
Sequence:
Time/Place:
Relative:
because, since
although, even though, whereas
if, unless, whether
so that
before, after
when, while, before, after, whenever, wherever
who, whom, which, that, whose
Faulty Subordination >>>
Faulty Subordination
When subordinating one idea to another, you must ensure that both
the most important idea becomes the independent clause and the
correct subordinator is used.
Wrong: It uses elements believed toxic to life in its
metabolic cycle since the bacteria can survive in
environments previously believed unsuitable for life.
Coordination and Parallelism >>>
Faulty Subordination
When subordinating one idea to another, you must ensure that both
the most important idea becomes the independent clause and the
correct subordinator is used.
In particular, “because” tends to be overused in writing, and should
only be used means when “is the (only) cause of” is meant.
Coordination and Parallelism >>>
Faulty Subordination
When subordinating one idea to another, you must ensure that both
the most important idea becomes the independent clause and the
correct subordinator is used.
In particular, “because” tends to be overused in writing, and should
only be used means when “is the (only) cause of” is meant.
Wrong: Because scientists were conducting deep core
samples, the bacteria was discovered.
Right: While scientists were conducting deep core samples,
the bacteria was discovered.
Coordination and Parallelism >>>
Coordination and Parallelism
When linking ideas that are equal, use an appropriate conjunction to
coordinate the two ideas: to show additions (and), alternatives (or,
not), contrast (but, yet), cause (for), and effect (so).
These environments are rare on Earth but common in the
solar system.
Using Phrases >>>
Using Phrases
In unsophisticated writing, incomplete or partial ideas are given their
own sentences. This leads to verbose writing whose flow is muddled.
Unsophisticated: Barrow Brothers announced bankruptcy
this week. It was established in the 1890’s. It is the third
major company to announce bankruptcy this week.
Types of Phrases >>>
Using Phrases
In unsophisticated writing, incomplete or partial ideas are given their
own sentences. This leads to verbose writing whose flow is muddled.
Unsophisticated: Barrow Brothers announced bankruptcy
this week. It was established in the 1890’s. It is the third
major company to announce bankruptcy this week.
The over-use of linking verbs (to be) generally indicates that partial
ideas included in the addendum sentence can be stripped away and
incorporated in a more sophisticated sentence. Preserving the flow of
ideas in such synthesis is important.
Sophisticated: Established in the 1890’s, Barrow Brothers
became the third major company to announce bankruptcy
this week.
Types of Phrases >>>
Types of phrases
There are many types of phrases, in addition to the ones with which
you are likely familiar (noun phrases, verb phrases, and prepositional
phrases).
Review >>>
Types of phrases
There are many types of phrases, in addition to the ones with which
you are likely familiar (noun phrases, verb phrases, and prepositional
phrases).
Verbals (gerund phrases, infinitive phrases, and participle phrases)
use a form of a verb to introduce a phrase which acts like a noun,
adjective, or adverb. Ex: “Building a dam…” or “To build a dam…”
Appositives are noun phrases that “share” the place of another noun
or noun phrase. Ex: “Calvin Davies, a local writer…” or
Absolute phrases pair a noun phrase and a participle or prepositional
phrase. Ex: “Weeping openly at the verdict…”
Review >>>
Review
In order to write in a sophisticated manner, you must:
Review
In order to write in a sophisticated manner, you must:
• Distinguish between the content (the ideas) you present, and
the intended purpose of that information. Together, these two
concepts are called the form of your writing.
Review
In order to write in a sophisticated manner, you must:
• Distinguish between the content (the ideas) you present, and
the intended purpose of that information. Together, these two
concepts are called the form of your writing.
• Consider not just the specific words you use, but the actual
structure of the sentence to help convey the meaning.
Review
In order to write in a sophisticated manner, you must:
• Distinguish between the content (the ideas) you present, and
the intended purpose of that information. Together, these two
concepts are called the form of your writing.
• Consider not just the specific words you use, but the actual
structure of the sentence to help convey the meaning.
• Avoid losing your emphasis (through deemphasizing main
points or losing the overall sense of build).
Review
In order to write in a sophisticated manner, you must:
• Distinguish between the content (the ideas) you present, and
the intended purpose of that information. Together, these two
concepts are called the form of your writing.
• Consider not just the specific words you use, but the actual
structure of the sentence to help convey the meaning.
• Avoid losing your emphasis (through deemphasizing main
points or losing the overall sense of build).
Sophistication can also involve other concepts, such as using
punctuation correctly (and creatively), the concepts of voice and tone,
and other elements of style.