31. 1. Put actions in verbs
2. Put characters in subjects
3. Keep subjects near verbs
32. Put actions in verbs
Action Nominalization
to regulate
to analyze
to occur
to understand
to investigate
to delineate
to perform
regulation
analysis
occurance
understanding
investigation
deliniation
performance
33. Put actions in verbs
Sentence Action
We performed an analysis on the data nominalization
We analyzed the data. verb
34. Put characters in subjects
Readers expect the main character in a clause
to be found in the subject.
35. Put characters in subjects
Sentence Subject?
The movement in the liquid medium of
the bacteria was accomplished by
microflagella.
Movement?
Liquid medium?
The bacteria move themselves in the
liquid medium with microflagella.
Bacteria!
39. Keep subjects near verbs
who is the sentence about?
what are they doing?
40. Keep subjects near verbs
Sentence Distance
The ABC database has been subject to
different improvements, modifications,
and extensions in structure and content
over the years.
5 words
The ABC database has been improved,
modified, and extended in both
structure and content over the years.
2 words
The curators improved the structure
and content of the ABC database.
Bonus!
42. 1. Put new information last
2. Use passive voice judiciously
3. Make your paragraph match
43. Put new information last
Most readers will find your writing more clear
if you consistently begin sentences with
familiar (old) information and conclude
sentences with unfamiliar (new) information.
44. Use passive voice judiciously
Active: The dog chased the ball.
Passive: The ball was chased by the dog.
Passive: The ball was chased.