1. ACTIVE VOICE. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION & PRIVILEGED POSITION READABLE SENTENCES

2. ACTIVE VOICE When possible, use active voice.

3. ACTIVE VOICE When using active voice, the subject (agent) is at the beginning of the sentence: Ex. The division staff attempted to assess the project. In passive voice, the subject (agent) is buried farther back in the sentence. Ex. Attempts were made by the division staff to assess the project.

4. ACTIVE VOICE Active voice is easier to read Active voice sounds more natural Active voice is more straightforward Active voice is stronger

5. ACTIVE VOICE Passive: The feedthrough was composed of a sapphire optical fiber, which was pressed against the pyrotechnic that was used to confine the charge. Active: The feedthrough contained a sapphire optical fiber which pressed against the pyrotechnic that contained the charge.

6. ACTIVE VOICE Ex. A new process for eliminating nitrogen oxides from diesel exhaust engines is presented. Flow tube experiments to test this process are discussed. A chemical reaction scheme to account for this process is proposed. Ex. We presented a new process for eliminating nitrogen oxides from the exhaust of diesel engines. To test this process, we performed experiments in flow tubes. To explain this process, we developed a scheme of chemical reactions.

7. USING ACTIVE VOICE Use passive voice when you don’t want to point fingers: You left the door unlocked. Jerry left the door unlocked. Passive : The door was left unlocked.

8. PRIVILEGED POSITION In privileged position the writer situates the most important facet of the sentence at the beginning of the sentence. If you use privileged position, you will naturally avoid the passive voice: Ex. The exam was written by Mary. Mary wrote the exam.

9. PRIVILEGED POSITION Another reason to use privileged position is that the reader tends to remember what is at the beginning of the sentence more than what is at the end. Ex. Despite winning the game, the Patriots made several errors in the first half. Ex. Despite making several errors in the first half, the Patriots won the game.

10. PRIVILEGED POSITION A final reason to use privileged position is that readers tend to search for the sentence topic to orient themselves. Placing the subject in the privileged position helps with this.

11. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION Use similar structure/word order for similar elements in a sentence. Parallel construction creates: Word economy Clear meaning A sense of symmetry Elegance without clutter Balance

12. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION Ex. Please sign the proposal, date it, and it must be sent to me. Ex. Please sign the proposal, date it, and send it to me.

13. Ex. Some will be geared for traditional students primarily, while non-traditional students will also find grants that are intended for them. Ex. He deals with nature in a practical way instead of more spiritual. Ex. However, both types of students should have a clear understanding of the cost of borrowing, repayment options available, and what other criteria there may be for obtaining this type of loan.

14. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION Bulleted and numbered items should be parallel construction. This will make the points easier for the reader to comprehend. Ex. Before making a decision you should consider: The goals pertaining to the two fields The importance of a writer’s position The two major fields within medical writing The reasons technical writing is important

15. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION Bulleted and numbered items should be parallel construction. This will make the points easier for the reader to comprehend. Ex. In the future I will consider: Varying word choice to make sentences less redundant Adding transitions within paragraphs to make ideas flow Removing unneeded wordiness to clarify statements

16. PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION Headings should also be parallel. This will make the points easier for the reader to comprehend. Ex. Gathering Information Designing Documents Creating Text Manage Space Develop Main Ideas Create Tables and Figures

17. Parallel Review sheet