英文公文写作

邮编：266590 中国山东青岛黄岛区前湾港路579号， 山东科技大学文法学院
王秀花
WANG Xiuhua
College of Hunanities and Law,Shandong University of
Science and Technology,579 Qianwangang Rd., Huangdao Dist., Qingdao, Shandong ,P.R.China. 266590
4. Avoid Unneeded Words. Nothing weakens writing so much as extra words. Be critical of your own writing and make every word carry its weight.
Put Action Into Your Verbs. The heaviness of much business writing results from overworking the passive verbs. Prose (writing) can usually be kept impersonal and remain in the active tenses.
Writing style has changed over
time. It continues to evolve alongside the technology of mass communication. In Elizabethan times, writing averaged 40 to 60 words per sentence.
Sentence length is just one of
the changes in writing style. As literacy has grown, so has the public’s demand for clarity. And as technology increases communication, clarity commands the widest audiences.
By 1900 the average sentence in
English had shrunk to 21 words. By the 1970s it was 17 words and today writing averages 12 to 17 words per sentence.
Not all writing fits this
2. Prefer the Simple to the
Complex. Many complex terms are unnecessary. When there is a simpler way of saying a thing, use it. Avoid complex sentences. (‘Love’ in the first example is a simpler word than 'pronounced affection'. Principles one and
Seven Strategies
Present Your Ideas in a Positive and Effective Way. Seven strategies for
BETTER: Robert Gunning died
decades ago. His book is out of print, but you can find copies at your local library. If you want your own copy, you can still find (buy) used copies online.
ENGLISH WRITING
Expression “Writing Your Writing”.

Writing in Plain English
Writing English – Spring 2013
Our Goal: Effective Writing Communication
To read and clearly understand what is said, to write and to be clearly understood, and to write what you have to write in such a way as to bring the maximum result both to yourself and to your readers.
The English language has an alphabet,
made up of 26 ________?
Letters
English words: Phrases: Sentences: Paragraphs Essays
Robert Gunning – “How to
(The shorter word may not always be the precise word. Capsize may be shorter than overturn. But only a ship can capsize; a truck cannot.)
A: Put your seatbelt on. B: Why? A: Because it will protect you in case of an accident. B: But it’s uncomfortable. A: It’s the law. B: It’s so much trouble. A: It’s common sense. B: It’s so tight that it’s hard for me to breathe. A: Hold your breath till we get there. B: Okay, my seatbelt is on. A: I’m glad you don’t complain very much. B: I’m ready for an accident.
Better: Robert Gunning died
decades ago. His book is out of print, but you can find copies at your local library, and you can still find used copies online.
A: I really like this house. B: Can we afford it? A:They want 20 percent down. B: That’s a lot of money. A: But the house is so nice. B: It’s in a great neighborhood. A: It’s close to the beach. B: It’s close to the freeways. A: It’s got a big yard. B: The kids love the house, too. A: If we don’t buy it, someone else will. B:You’re right. Let’s buy it now. We can worry later.
5.
6. Use Terms Your Reader Can
Picture. Abstract terms make writing dull and foggy. Choose short, concrete words that the reader can visualize.
A:The house burned down. B: What happened? A:The man fell asleep. B: Was he smoking? A:Yes, he was smoking a cigarette. B: Did he die? A:Yes, he did. His cat died, too. B: That’s too bad. What about his smoke alarm? A:The battery was dead. B: A good battery would have saved his life. A: He had cigarettes, but no battery. B: It happens all the time.
3. Develop your vocabulary. Don't let preference for short words limit your vocabulary. Intelligence and vocabulary size are closely linked; you need long words to think with.
Sentence Starters
During spring
festival, my family… We celebrated the holiday with… My favorite food to eat for spring festival is… The best part of my holiday was… My goals for this semester are…
In the modern computer age,
we put out more words, more data and more information than people can possibly use or begin to think over and absorb. Readers demand clarity and conciseness, or they won’t buy it. Readers outside of the classroom today pass over a wordy document on any topic if