Qualities of Effective Technical Writing

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Questions and Answers

What does an infinitive phrase consist of?

An infinitive with a subject and a verb

An infinitive and a relative pronoun

An infinitive plus its modifiers, objects, complements, and/or actors (correct)

An infinitive combined with a dependent clause

Which type of clause can stand alone as a complete sentence?

Relative clause

Subordinate clause

Dependent clause

Independent clause (correct)

Which of the following sentences exemplifies a compound sentence?

Jill is running.

Jill ran, and she was worried about getting wet. (correct)

Jill ran because it was raining.

When it rains, Jill runs.

What is a common characteristic of fragments?

They lack either a subject or a predicate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of coordinating conjunctions?

To join words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal rank Signup and view all the answers

Which option best describes redundant diction?

Restating a concept in different words Signup and view all the answers

In writing, what does the term 'meaningless words' refer to?

Words that may deceive readers by having ambiguous meanings Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for proper pronoun agreement?

Pronouns should match the number, gender, and person of their antecedents Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using illustrations in writing?

To clarify and support arguments. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the logical flow from one point to another in writing?

Coherence Signup and view all the answers

What does 'pathos' refer to in the context of rhetoric?

The emotional appeal to engage the audience’s feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents a strawman argument?

Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to counter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between tenor and vehicle in figurative language?

Tenor is an abstract idea, and vehicle is the means to understand that idea. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of ad hominem arguments?

They attack the character of the individual instead of the argument. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'diction' refer to in writing?

The choice of words and their connotation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes a non sequitur?

A statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Five Qualities of Technically Proficient Writing

Illustration: Use of examples and visuals to clarify and support arguments
Ambiguity: Understanding the role of ambiguity; how it can create multiple interpretations and effect clarity
Coherence: The quality of writing that moves logically from point A to B to C
Unity: The quality of writing that focuses on a consistent topic
Technical proficiency involves clear illustration, handling ambiguity effectively, logical progression, and maintaining a consistent focus.

Audience Orientations

Four audience orientations: positive, negative, mixed, neutral
Definition: (positive and negative, explicit and implicit)
Rhetoric: Effective and persuasive communication, especially including figures of speech and compositional techniques
Logos: Logic and reason using facts and statistics for logical arguments
Pathos: Engaging the audience's feelings to create connections
Ethos: Establishing credibility and trust to gain audience confidence
Diction: Word choice affecting tone and clarity
Style: The overall manner of expression

Language and Style

Paradox: A statement that contradicts itself but may reveal a deeper truth
Figurative language vs. literal language
Tenor and vehicle: Tenor-Abstract, difficult to understand Vehicle-Drive to the understanding of the tenor
Abstract language vs. concrete language
Straw man arguments: Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack
Ad hominem: Attacking the person instead of the argument
Ad populum: Appealing to the popularity of a claim as a reason for accepting it as true

Grammar and Composition

Bad faith arguments; hidden agendas
Oversimplification
Hyperbole
Non sequitur: Does not logically follow
Tautology: Repeating the same idea; saying the same thing twice
Subjects and predicates: Subject is the part that acts, predicate describes the action
Gerunds/gerund phrases
Infinitives/infinitive phrases
Sentences: Clause = subject and predicate Phrase = lacking subject and/or predicate
- Independent clauses: Stand on their own
- Subordinate clauses: Depend on independent clauses
- Relative clauses: Relate to a noun
Different types of sentences (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex)
Sentence fragments and run-on sentences
Active voice vs. passive voice
Redundant diction: Restating the same idea
Verbal false limbs: Unnecessarily long phrases
Meaningless words: Words that have no clear or specific meaning.
Components of an essay (intro, body, conclusion)
Pronoun case and agreement
Collective nouns; grammatically singular nouns that refer to multiple entities
Antecedents
Misplaced modifiers
Dangling modifiers
Multi-word modifiers (compound modifiers)

Additional Information

APA and MLA citation formats
Readings include Orwell's "Politics and the English Language"

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Description

This quiz explores the essential qualities of technically proficient writing, including illustration, ambiguity, coherence, and unity. Additionally, it covers audience orientations and persuasive communication techniques such as logos, pathos, and ethos. Test your understanding of these key concepts in effective writing.