Composition and Reading

Developing a Professional Writing Style

This course covers grammar, usage, and punctuation for the purpose of developing a professional writing style. Some of the components of a professional writing style are defined below. All references to the writing handbook apply to the handbook included in the Bedford Guide to College Writing, 6th edition.

Write without errors in punctuation, grammar, or usage.

The entire purpose of discussing grammar is this course is to help improve the accuracy of your writing.

In general, write using the active rather than passive voice.

Active voice: The teacher distributed the writing assignment.

Passive voice: The writing assignment was distributed (by the teacher).

However, sometimes passive voice is appropriate to avoid specifying the doer of the action. For example, one newspaper heading reads: “Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has admitted that mistakes were "quite possibly" made in the administrations in which he served.” ( 4/25/02). Kissinger does not want to specify the individual(s) making mistakes, so he adopts a passive voice. To read more about the passive voice, refer to the writing handbook, p. H-26 – H-28.

Use consistent verb tenses.

Within a paragraph or essay, the verb tenses should be consistent – unless there is a time change within the essay or paragraph. For additional information, refer to your writing handbook, p. H-52 & H-53.

Use a variety of sentences.

Through your study of grammar in E010 Essential Language Skills and E105 Composition and Reading, you have learned a variety of sentence patterns. There is a sentence pattern reference sheet following this handout. By varying your sentence patters, your writing style will sound more professional to the reader. For additional information, refer to your writing handbook H-78 – H-79.

Select words carefully.

Use words with deliberate precision in your writing. Some general guidelines from the writing handbook, Chapter 35, include the following:

  • Words should be appropriate in tone and formality for audience and context.
  • Use exact words
  • Avoid clichés
  • Use bias-free language
  • Eliminate wordiness

RULES FOR CONSTRUCTING GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT SENTENCES: Punctuation Pattern Rules developed from the Iowa State Writing Center Materials by Kevin Carpenter, Kevin Johnson and Jaimee Karroll, Heald College Concord.

RULE 1: .

EXAMPLE:I love to work on my computer.

RULE 2:

; ; .

PARALLEL STRUCTURE: / Today is a day we will all remember; today is a day of freedom.
PRONOUN REFERENCE: / My friend loves to talk; he even talks in his sleep.
OPPOSITION: / My mother loves to cook; my sister hates cooking.
CAUSE/EFFECT: / The river flooded yesterday; people were forced to evacuate.

RULE 3:

,

EXAMPLE:The house was cold and dark, yet no one was afraid to enter it.

RULE 4:

; , .

EXAMPLE: I studied hard for my English exam; consequently, I earned an A.

RULE 5:

SOMETIMES USED:

,

EXAMPLE:The police officer pulled out his gun even though he was told not to.

RULE 6:

, ,

EXAMPLE:Even though he was told not to, the police officer pulled out his gun.

RULE 7:

:.

EXAMPLE:There is only one thing that will keep me from reaching my goal: death.


RULE 8:

,

EXAMPLE:I will not be available to meet with you today. However, I can meet with you tomorrow.

RULE 9:

, .

EXAMPLE: Walking on campus today, I noticed that many students were not carrying any books.

RULE 10:

, .

EXAMPLE:After watching my three nephews this weekend, I have decided not to have children.

RULE 11:

X, Y, Z . OR

X, Y, Z ,

EXAMPLE: I love to read, write, and play ball.

RULE 12: , UFO, . . OR

, UFO, ,

EXAMPLE:My mother, Rebecca, loves to travel.

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