Taking stock of our style work thus far: sentences
Let's think about all the tools we now hold, to improve clarity for the reader. By the way, science journal editors/reviewers think about these tools also. Here is one. Consider this writing guide (long PDF) from the Centers for Disease Control.
Off all the tools we have to date, nominalization awareness is the most difficult. Yet, sensitivity to this language can help you improve technical communication. Here is a document (from UVA) that connects nominalizations to active/passive voice.
Researchers do care about nominalizations and how they arise in language use. Skim this analysis. Many of the nominalization samples are in bold. However, you likely do not want to study nominalizations. You simply want to build better sentences. See this OWL Purdue exhibit that includes a handy reference table. You can also take the sentence clarity quizzes at the end of this web exhibit.
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Up next: a problem-solution memo for Jane. Which disposable hot beverage cup choice is more sustainable? Hint: think about the linked problems of energy/resource inputs and the disposal or "sink" problem. Think: depletion and pollution. Here is what UMD professor emeritus Herman Daly says:
Marybeth Shea
Bringing these posts up from a few days ago. We will use them for the next three days. Peek at them for Friday.
And, on to paragraphs:
Paragraph Definition: think Architectures
More on stasis approaches:
Stasis and research (Owl Purdue, by colleague A.B.)
BYU page on stasis approach (see how legal process and jurisprudence knits forth?)
Stasis and dinosaur debate (download full text and skim)
My take on stasis with environmental scientists
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