Developing an Effective Professional Writing Style(Paragraph Edition)

1. Create structure through headings and topic sentences (aka “sign posting”).

She first tried setting loose a team of gophers, but the plan backfired when a dog chased them away. She then entertained a group of teenagers and was delighted when they brought their motorcycles. Unfortunately, she failed to find a Peeping Tom listed in the Yellow Pages. Furthermore, her stereo system was not loud enough. The crab grass might have worked, but she didn’t have a fan that was sufficiently powerful. The obscene phone calls gave her hope until the number was changed. She thought about calling a door to door salesman but decided to hang up a clothesline instead. It was the installation of blinking neon lights across the street that did the trick. She eventually framed the ad from the classified section.

Read this (or try to….it won’t make much sense).

Sally disliked her neighbors and wanted them to leave the area. She first tried setting loose a team of gophers, but the plan backfired when a dog chased them away. She then entertained a group of teenagers and was delighted when they brought their motorcycles. Unfortunately, she failed to find a Peeping Tom listed in the Yellow Pages. Furthermore, her stereo system was not loud enough. The crab grass might have worked, but she didn’t have a fan that was sufficiently powerful. The obscene phone calls gave her hope until the number was changed. She thought about calling a door to door salesman but decided to hang up a clothesline instead. It was the installation of blinking neon lights across the street that did the trick. She eventually framed the ad from the classified section.

Notice how the topic sentence clears up confusion.

2. Pay attention to paragraph length.

pp 85-86

3.Use appropriate transition words/phrases to help readers follow your thinking.

Useful Transition Words/PhrasesEven thoughAlthoughNeverthelessAndButOrBecauseHoweverIn the meantimeMeanwhileTo sum upIn reviewFinallyIn generalGenerallyOn the contrary

Conversely

In spite ofUnfortunatelyOtherwiseIn other wordsAlsoAdditionallyFurtherSpecificallyLikewiseEqually importantFor instanceFor exampleAccordinglyMoreoverBesides

pp 86-89

4.Cultivate an effective tone.

pp 93-96

• Humor is dangerous.• Write in positive terms (don’t get mad

or defensive).• Write in plain English.• Be personal, warm, and authentic.