MECHANICS OF WRITING

C.RAGHAVA RAO

STYLISTIC ELEMENTS

A writer's style can be identified by a

variety of elements. Most writers tend to use the same style again and again, making their work easily identifiable, especially to the author's fans

The mechanics of writing

Understanding of the mechanics of good writing.

A useful analogy in thinking about the mechanics of writing is necessary.

the various components parts of speech in writing and how they function together (the rules of grammar), and

what is needed to keep the writing moving along, stopping and starting in the right places, and pausing whenever it is necessary (punctuation).

ELEMENTS RULES OF GRAMMAR

Nouns are naming words, those that give names to people, to things, or to places.

Pronouns stand in place of nouns. They can be personal pronouns standing for people (for example, he, she, you) or impersonal pronouns that stand for things (for example, it, those).

Verbs are doing words. They express action.

Articles have a definite form (that is, the) and two indefinite forms (that is, a or an).

ELEMENTS RULES OF GRAMMAR

Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns Adverbs describe or modify verbs or

adjectivesConjunctions are joining words. And is a

conjunction that provides the link between two words

Relative pronouns that we use often are who, whom, which and that.

A phrase consists of more than one word. Phrases express a component of an idea.

ELEMENTS RULES OF GRAMMAR

A phrase consists of more than one word. Phrases express a component of an idea.

A clause also consists of more than one word. A clause contains a verb and at least a subject. Some clauses are dependent because they are incomplete and cannot stand on their own as a sentence, whereas others are independent and contain a complete thought

ELEMENTS RULES OF GRAMMAR

A sentence contains a verb and a subject. A sentence is a complete idea in itself. A simple sentence can include a subject and a verb (for example, He goes.), can have an object of the verb (for example, She rode the waves), or can be more complex and consist of more than one clause

Punctuation

Full Stops (.) have three distinct uses. 1. to mark the end of a sentence; 2. to indicate abbreviated words, and 3. to punctuate numbers and dates.

Colons (:) are used to separate a clause that introduces a list, quotation or summary.

Semi-colons (;) separate two complete sentences that are, however, closely linked. The semi-colon can be replaced by a full-stop, but the direct link between the two parts is lost.

Punctuation

Commas (,) have a vital role to play in longer sentences. They separate information into readable units. Skilful use of commas can ensure the correct reading of a sentence, especially one that starts with a long introductory element

Question marks (?) are used at the end of a sentence that is a question.

Apostrophes (‘) have two uses. 1. One is to show that something has been left out.

Punctuation

Hyphens (-) link two or more words that would not normally be placed together, in order that they work as one idea.

Dashes (--) are like brackets; they enclose extra information.

Writing with good style

Effective writing requires a good knowledge of appropriate writing style, and a sound understanding of how to avoid poor writing style.

1. Be clear2. Be concise3. Enjoy precision4. Be consistent5. Be accurate6. Check disciplinary expectations7. Be honest

Some specific issues

Avoid excessively long compounds Often writers use a string of adjectives before a noun. Such

strings reduce clarity Avoid excessively long sentences Avoid changing the structure of ideas Adhering to a consistent structure helps to highlight the

equivalence of ideas. Avoid randomly ordering ideas It is much easier to follow what a writer is saying if the

ideas are ordered logically or chronologically. . Avoid non-specific referents Nonspecific referents present problems for clarity of

writing.

Some specific issues

Avoid wordy phrasesVery long phrases take the focus from the

intended meaning. Avoid run-on sentencesRun-on sentences are sentences that

should be divided, but which have been simply run-on, and are joined with a comma or a conjunction.

Some specific issues

Use relational words carefullyAs the label implies, relational words

describe the relations between things. In general, the relation should be identified within the same sentence

Use comparatives and superlatives appropriately

Comparatives are used to compare two things. Often comparatives are formed by adding "er" to the adjective.

Editing the final version

check-list that is designed to help you edit your final draft. systematically go through this check-list, asking yourself each question, taking the relevant action, and finally ticking each off as you have completed it

Editing the final version

Questions Actions Have I answered the question? Check the task words, content words

and limiting words Is my written piece of work

appropriate for the audience?Check technical language and terms

Editing the final version

Is my argument clear and persuasive? Check whether you have developed the

rationale Check whether you have enough

supporting research evidence and whether it is relevant

Does any point need elaboration? Ensure the point you are making is clear If it is not, you need to break it down and

provide more support/evidence

Editing the final version

Are my paragraphs coherent and clearly connected?

Check whether you have a topic sentence and elaboration within each paragraph

Check that you have used transitional signals well

Is my work structured appropriately?

Editing the final versionCheck the, essay) Check what needs to be in each section Have I "proof read" my work? As you read, ask yourself, Have I said what I

mean?, and Do I mean what I say? Have I referenced everything?

Editing the final version

Make sure you have cited and referenced each source and have quoted correctly

Have I checked the spelling? Use a dictionary Have I checked the grammar? Read carefully through your draft