MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Peer review on Friday, with hard copy due to me on Monday, November 9.  Here is an assignment sheet to guide you.  Please, follow the directions in this directions assignment!

Review for you of grammar/conventions thus far in class.  What do you think of with these images?

you are devoting an hour to selecting your directions topic.  Recipes must be cleared by my. Email before Sunday, 1PM. 

I will post an class journal entry over the weekend.  Enjoy this one. About directions:

be audience-centered. Write with the USER in mind. 

• Use short, concise phrases or sentences. Be consistent about choice of phrases or sentences.
• Use active, descriptive words. Be consistent in both word choice.
• Use bold, italic, and color to help key words, especially action verbs "pop." However, don't over-use these document design elements.
• Use command structure:  lead with a verb.

Example:  Read how to avoid a being eaten by a cougar. Note the preparatory information, safety comments, limits to strategy, parallel structure, command structure, numbering, attention to detail.

For those thining about a recipe, PLEASE CLEAR WITH ME BY EMAIL.  Let's think about how to make bones of the dead.

A bit about visuals.  We will discuss in class.  However, we can look at this document to start the conversation.

VISUALS to help you with common mistakes!

OK:  A word use lesson.  A lot v. alot.  I give you, tadah, Hyperbole and a Half's take on this abomination. See also the Oatmeal's work on misspellings.

now, in late October.  Think on the work of your review:  to share with others complex and important knowledge in your field.  This knowledge-rich document is a to know exercise.

Let's think about other document types, as an exercise to think about your final project. In the next two weeks, we will complete two assignments:

•  directions assignment (to do genre)

• redesign your two-article review to look like this sample

Let's think about a writing convention that helps us with clarity:  avoiding the dangling or misplaced modifier. Did you look at the Duke set of documents on science writing?  Here is an exhibit on dangling modifiers in science writing.

Piano. from Paul Rayment on Vimeo.

DUE for peer review on Friday. DUE FOR A GRADE, hard copy and double-spaced, on MONDAY.

Here is a guide to many scientific writing principles at DOOK.  Work through this in about 45 minutes to an hour.

For your convenience, I am reposting here, the two-article review overview/key points.

We will look at some of the links from yesterday.  However, here is a that/which example that shows how important the writer's intentions are:

Sanger sequencing methods, combined with pyro-sequencing, represent a next-generation set of tools that can improve speed of DNA analysis. For pathologists who need near-instant confirmation of tumor subtype, this speed advantage supports personalised cancer treatment that begins on the operating table.

Sanger sequencing methods, combined with pyro-sequencing, represent a next-generation set of tools, which can improve speed of DNA analysis. Beckman Instruments offers prep kits for these procedures, as well as 100 hours of biostatistics consultation.

Paragraph transitions: Think pearls beaded upon a string. Think train cars coupled. This UCSB guide is helpful with words that serve nicely as transition elements.  This writing guide emphasizes the value of repeating key words as a transition strategy. Now, think about transitions between sentences WITHIN paragraphs as another way to achieve cohesion.

"Meh" paragraph
Plastic and paper cups pose problems for recycling. Ceramic cups are very energy intensive to produce. Recycling seems environmentally-sound.  Paper does not degrade deep within most landfills and the plastic coating is also difficult.  Not all plastic can be recycled.  You need to check the bottom of the container.  Landfills are increasingly full.  There is a huge "patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean.

Better paragraph
Paper and plastic both pose disposal problems.  First, not all plastic can be recycled. Check the bottom of the plastic container. "No. 1" and "No. 2" types can be recycled by most facilities. Second, paper does not degrade deep within most landfills because of low oxygen conditions. The plastic coating also interferes with decay. Landfills are increasingly full.  There is a huge "patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean.

Even better paragraph (can you see the re-thinking of content as well as sentence-level revision)
Paper and plastic both pose disposal problems.  First, not all plastic can be recycled. Check the bottom of the plastic container. "No. 1" and "No. 2" types can be recycled by most facilities. Second, paper does not degrade deep within most landfills because of low oxygen conditions. The plastic coating also interferes with decay. Landfills are increasingly full, with paper and plastic part of the waste stream. Not all plastic is recycled or landfilled. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) a huge "patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean is further evidence of of the environmental harm posed by plastic.

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A few grammar, punctuation, and style conventions for you to keep in mind:

1. punctuation with quote marks (nice summary  here at Grammar Monster)
2. colon and semi colon use (start here with The Oatmeal's take)
3. That-which: which takes a comma; that does not! See this  handout on choosing which and that.
4. Empty subjects DRAFT HANDOUT.
5. hyphens are little and used with words; dashes are longer and used between words (See this guide from DOOK)
   1. setting off appositives (dashes NOT hyphens; use with caution)
      1. Brian May -- lead guitarist for Queen -- holds a doctorate in physics.
      2. Brain May -- PhD in astrophysics -- was the guitarist for the rock group Queen.
   2. some words where hyphens are helpful
      • fast-sailing ship and fast sailing ship