Seminar 2 Concise Writing Please feel free to chat until class begins. Please be sure you can hear the music. If you can’t please post a comment letting me know. We will begin on time. Mary Barnette

Agenda for Seminar 2 Housekeeping Housekeeping Weekly assignments Weekly assignments –Read all of the assigned reading and watch videos –Post to the discussion board –Checklist activity

Housekeeping Questions for the good of the group Questions for the good of the group Contact me: Just IM me at KaplanCompMary and we can chat. Contact me: Just IM me at KaplanCompMary and we can chat. PowerPoint in document sharing PowerPoint in document sharing

Review of Unit 1  What is the “Call to Adventure”?  How is the writer’s journey similar to the hero’s journey?

Review of Unit 1  Can you remember at least three tips for succeeding in this online writing class?

Review of Unit 1  What are the four key factors in writing that we discussed last week?

Review of Unit 1  What is unique about you, your experiences, your perspective, your interests, etc. that you could draw upon for writing topics?

What did Christopher Vogler, author of The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, say about the connection between the heroic journey and writing? Right now, Mary is wondering who watched the videos, completed The Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing readings, and took notes.

Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth: The Hero’s Journey Dietz, K. A Storied Career. Retrieved 16 Jan from

The Writing Process:

How does the writer’s journey connect to the hero’s journey?

WHAT KUWC RESOURCES EXIST TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE HEROIC WRITING PROCESS? Live tutoring Live tutoring Q & A Service Q & A Service Paper Review Paper Review Reference Library Reference Library Workshops Writing Fundamentals Program Writing Coach Program English Language Learner (ELL) Resources

Standard English and Formal Writing Webster’s dictionary defines ‘amulet’ as… Webster’s dictionary defines ‘amulet’ as… vs. vs. Joseph Campbell in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, defines ‘amulet’ as… Joseph Campbell in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, defines ‘amulet’ as…

Standard English and Formal Writing Standard English and Formal Writing What is Standard English and why do we need to use Standard English in our writing? What is Standard English and why do we need to use Standard English in our writing? Formal and Informal Writing– What is the difference? How can we make our writing more formal? Formal and Informal Writing– What is the difference? How can we make our writing more formal?

Concise Writing What is a concise writing? What is a concise writing?

Concise Writing Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. — William Strunk Jr. in Elements of Style

Ways to do this Getting rid of redundancy in writing--- Getting rid of redundancy in writing--- Instead of “12 midnight”, use “midnight” Instead of “12 midnight”, use “midnight” Instead of “end result” use “result” Instead of “end result” use “result” Instead of “cooperate together” use “cooperate.” Instead of “cooperate together” use “cooperate.”

Writing Concisely Getting rid of redundancy in writing--- Instead of “12 midnight”, use “midnight” Instead of “end result” use “result” Instead of “cooperate together” use “cooperate.”

More Ways to Write Concisely Reducing Clauses to Phrases, Phrases to Single Words– Example: Reducing Clauses to Phrases, Phrases to Single Words– Example: Citizens who knew what was going on voted him out of office. Citizens who knew what was going on voted him out of office. Knowledgeable citizens voted him out of office. Knowledgeable citizens voted him out of office.

Omitting Phrases As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for further protection of woodlands. Write instead: As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for further protection of woodlands. Write instead: Further protection of woodlands is not needed. Further protection of woodlands is not needed. Omit phrases like “at the present time,” “ as a matter of fact.” Omit phrases like “at the present time,” “ as a matter of fact.”

Let’s Go On A Field Trip! mar/quizzes/wordy_quiz.htm mar/quizzes/wordy_quiz.htm I’m going to number you from Please go to the number exercise I gave you and rewrite the sentence. Highlight your sentence, right click on it and copy. When I ask for your number, paste your response.

Questions? Does anyone have a question? My AOL screen name is KaplanCompMary so just sent an IM if you need assistance. Thanks for attending seminar tonight. I’ll see you on the board.