9780130497529

This book is designed for the adult learner who needs a review of grammar and writing skills in order to write clearly and concisely on the job.It provides diagnosis, instruction, and practice in 15 instructional modules on grammar, paragraph writing, report writing, and business letter writing; each module includes instruction and practice in small segments with immediate feedback. Fundamental principles are applied throughout.For professionals needing to brush up on their grammar and writing skills.

To the Teacher

vii

To the Student

ix

SECTION ONE

Verbs

1

(20)

Action Verbs

2

(1)

Linking Verbs

3

(4)

Helping Verbs

7

(1)

Irregular Verbs

8

(8)

Verb Tense

16

(5)

Feedback for Module 1

18

(3)

Adjectives and Adverbs

21

(16)

Adjectives

22

(4)

Adverbs

26

(2)

``Good'' and ``Well''

28

(2)

Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs

30

(7)

Feedback for Module 2

34

(3)

Phrases

37

(11)

Prepositional Phrases

38

(2)

Verbal Phrases

40

(8)

Feedback for Module 3

46

(2)

Nouns/Possessive Nouns

48

(17)

Nouns

49

(1)

Functions of Nouns

50

(1)

Plural Nouns and Possessives

51

(1)

Possessive Nouns

52

(13)

Feedback for Module 4

61

(4)

Subject--Verb Agreement

65

(18)

Recognizing Subjects and Verbs

66

(2)

Subject--Verb Agreement

68

(2)

Interfering Words

70

(2)

Indefinite Pronoun Subjects

72

(3)

Compound Subjects and Verbs

75

(2)

Special Pronouns in Agreement

77

(6)

Feedback for Module 5

79

(4)

Pronouns

83

(22)

Pronouns As Subjects

85

(1)

Pronouns As Subject Complements

86

(2)

Pronouns As Direct Objects

88

(1)

Pronouns As Objects of Prepositions

89

(2)

Possessive Pronouns

91

(2)

Pronoun Rules

93

(3)

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

96

(9)

Feedback for Module 6

100

(5)

Sentence Patterns

105

(17)

Independent Clauses

106

(3)

Dependent Clauses

109

(4)

Appropriate Clause Connectors

113

(9)

Feedback for Module 7

119

(3)

Punctuation

122

(20)

Basic Sentence Punctuation Patterns

123

(4)

Other Basic Comma Rules

127

(15)

Feedback for Module 8

138

(4)

Fragments and Run-Ons

142

(12)

Fragments

144

(2)

Run-ons

146

(8)

Feedback for Module 9

150

(4)

Paragraph Writing

154

(27)

Introduction

155

(1)

The Paragraph

155

(1)

Constructing the Topic Sentence

156

(1)

Choosing a Subject

157

(2)

Choosing a Controlling Idea

159

(4)

Writing the Concluding Sentence

163

(1)

Developing Unity

164

(2)

Developing Coherence

166

(1)

Organizing and Writing a Paragraph

167

(2)

The Reasons Paragraph

169

(1)

The Reasons and Examples Paragraph

170

(3)

The Pro and Con Paragraph

173

(2)

The Process Paragraph

175

(6)

Feedback for Module 10

178

(3)

SECTION TWO

Shifts

181

(24)

Shifts in Voice

182

(5)

Shifts in Tense

187

(2)

Shifts in Person

189

(3)

Shifts in Numbers

192

(13)

Feedback for Module 11

199

(6)

Clarity

205

(24)

Pronoun Reference

206

(4)

Misplaced and Unclear Modifiers

210

(2)

Word Usage

212

(4)

Parallel Construction

216

(13)

Feedback for Module 12

223

(6)

Accelerating Techniques

229

(23)

Eliminating Unnecessary Words

230

(2)

Avoiding Cliches and Slang

232

(3)

Combining Like Subjects and Verbs

235

(1)

Subordinating Ideas

236

(5)

Reducing Dependent Clauses

241

(11)

Feedback for Module 13

247

(5)

Report Writing

252

(37)

Review of Paragraph Writing

253

(2)

Outlining

255

(4)

Report Introductions

259

(2)

Format Tips

261

(1)

The Persuasive Report

262

(4)

Technical Procedure Report

266

(5)

Interview Report

271

(6)

Recommendation Report

277

(4)

Summary Report

281

(8)

Feedback for Module 14

288

(1)

Business Letter Writing

289

(30)

Psychology of Business Writing

290

(2)

Planning

292

(1)

Format

293

(7)

Request Letter

300

(1)

Letter That Says ``No''

301

(2)

Resume and Letter of Application

303

(7)

The Memo

310

(5)

Transmittal Letter and Transmittal Memo

315

(4)

Glossary

319

(18)

Index

337

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

To The TeacherThis text is designed for the adult learner who needs a review of grammar and writing skills in order to be able to write clearly and concisely on the job. Its format provides for diagnosis, instruction, and practice in 15 self-paced modules that can be adapted to both individualized and classroom methods. There are 12 grammar modules, a module on paragraph writing, a module on report writing, and a module on business letter writing. Each module consists of a statement of behavioral objectives followed by instruction and practice in small segments with immediate feedback. The examples used throughout are geared to be meaningful and relevant, particularly for technical students. The fundamental principles applied are as follows: Test--find out what the students already know. Teach--explain to them the concepts they need to know. Retest--check to see that they have mastered the objectives. (If not, repeat the procedure.)The underlying philosophy is that writing skills are built inductively; that is, students learn and practice correct grammar and usage first, then go on to build from the sentence to the paragraph to the report to the business letter.The materials included in the Instructor's Manual are vital to an effective utilization ofWriting Skills for Technical Students.The manual contains diagnostic tests for the grammar units so that you can pretest and exempt students from modules they can already apply. Also included in the manual are four module tests and two editing tests for each grammar module, final grammar tests, applied writing exercises, and extra worksheets for practice when the student does not master the instructional material.For use with the paragraph, report, and business writing modules, the Instructor's Manual includes checklists to be used by both students and instructors to proofread and evaluate writing assignments and to note the kinds of errors made.We believe the organization and modular format of this text will provide instructors with a flexible and effective approach to teaching students how to write well. To The StudentThis book presents a self-paced, modularized program to build your skills in grammar and writing. It is divided into two sections. Section One deals with the basic points of grammar and the writing of paragraphs. Section Two covers additional areas in the refinement of grammar plus the writing of reports and business communications.Here's how to use the book.For each grammar module that your instructor requires you to complete, first read the objectives and study the instructional materials. Follow the directions for each Activity. At the end of each Activity, you are directed to check your responses in the Feedback section at the end of the module. You will also be directed how to proceed after completing the Activity. When you have completed the module, ask your instructor for Test A. If you pass Test A, you will be given an Applied Writing exercise. If you do not pass, your instructor will review your errors, give you a worksheet for extra practice if necessary, and then give you Test B. After you pass a test on each module, be sure to note it on your Student Progress Record (see next page).The Paragraph Module progresses from the topic sentence to the outline to the writing of four important types of paragraphs. Follow the procedures indicated, checking your work with your instructor when required.After completing Section One, you will proceed in the same manner through Section Two.Many students have been helped by the materials and methods in this book. We hope you will find it both useful and enjoyable.

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Writing Skills for Technical Students

Writing Skills for Technical Students

0130497525

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