Guidelines to Good Writing
8th grade
Give an example of big words with simpler meanings. Must also include the big and simple word for each (Total of 2 words)
Utilize - use
Is there any difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?
Yes, an epidemic is the rapid spreading of disease in a certain population or region; pandemic is an epidemic that has spread worldwide.
Is Texas the lone star state or the Lone Star State?
Capitalize most nicknames.
Intended to heighten, merely flattens expressions
vague qualifiers
What is one exception to the length guideline?
lists
Jargon often arises from what?
Give an example
"Buzz" words
Integration Input Matrices
Optimum functionality elements
Is it acceptable to use "Obamacare" in a news story?
Yes, on second reference and in quotations.
Do I prefer swiss or Swiss cheese?
Capitalize proper nouns.
Vague qualifiers are also known as?
weasel words
What is a euphemism?
Give an example.
1. the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt
Pass away - Die
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Shell Shock
How do you fix backing into a sentence?
Start with the subject
Use subject-verb-object order.
Explain the difference between amount and number.
Amount is used when a number is abstract or uncountable. Number is used with concrete and countable numerals.
Applies to fewer and less
Was Stephen Hawking an Atheist or an atheist?
Atheist is lowercased, though Catholicism, Scientology and Judaism are capitalized.
What is the main enemy of a clear, brief, and purposeful writing style
wordiness
What is the difference among jargon, fad, and cliché
Be prepared to provide examples on test.
Jargon – special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or and are difficult for others to understand
Fad – intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially on that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities; a crazeCliché – phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought
What is the rule of three?
Be able to explain why on your exam.
Limit number and symbols in a sentence to no more than 3.
Did the golfer home or hone in on the eighth hole?
Home is used when you are getting closer to a target. Hone means "to sharpen."
Which is right: Democrat and Republican Parties or parties?
Lowercase when plural.
Passive voice usually uses variations of what two words?
to be
How many of the Guidelines to Good Writing can you name?
Think Ellen's Game of Games
1. Length - keep sentences short; one main idea per sentence
2. Avoid Pretensions, Gobbledygook, and Euphemisms
3. Change Long and Difficult Words to Short and Simple Words
4. Be Wary of Jargon, Fad, and Cliché
5. Use the Right Word
6. Avoid beginning with long dependent phrases
7. Prefer active verbs and the active voice
8. Cut wordiness
9. Avoid Vague Qualifiers
10. Prune Prepositions
11. Limit Number and Symbol
12. Get Right to the Point. And Stay There
What was the name of the readability index stated in class?
Flesch Reading Ease Index
Does penultimate come before or after ultimate?
Penultimate means next to last, while ultimate means last.
What part of a wine name should be capitalized: the region it is from or the variety of grape it is made from?
Capitalize regions, lowercase grape variety.
What is the best way to engage the reader?
Get to the point...
And stay there.