ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research

Jamie Larsen, Instructor

Jargon & Grammar

Jargon

As you gain expertise in your field, you will be more prone to use the jargon, and acronyms, recognized by your peers. Others, who are less technical, will have a hard time understanding what you write and say. I like the following example Frank D'Angelo uses of gobbledygook written by someone in the Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C.:

A New York plumber wrote the Bureau that he had found hydrochloric acid fine for cleaning drains, and was it harmless? Washington replied: "The efficacy of hydrochloric acid is indisputable, but the chlorine residue is incompatible with metallic permanence."

The plumber wrote back that he was mighty glad the Bureau agreed with him. The Bureau replied with a note of alarm: "We cannot assume resonsibility for the production of toxic and noxious residue with hydrochloric acid, and suggest that you use an alternate procedure." The plumber was happy to learn that the Bureau still agreed with him.

Whereupon Washington exploded: "Don't use hydrochloric acid: it eats hell out of the pipes!"

Effective communication usually is precise and concise. Avoid the following:

Please find enclosed a check for your remuneration.

Simply say: Check enclosed.

For fun, see if you can simplify the following jargon-filled hidden proverbs?

In the event that the initial attempt does not produce results commensurate with effort, it is not inappropriate to endeavor to achieve the goal a second time, or, if the desired outcome is not yet attained, even yet again.
An excessive number of chefs may have deleterious effects on the preparation of the consomme.
The cessation of auditory stimuli produces an optimal condition which may be compared to one of monetary treasure.

Click on Hidden Proverbs for the jargonless version.

Grammar

There is a satisfactory BONINESS about grammar which the FLESH of sheer vocabulary requires before it can become VERTIBRATE and walk the earth. But to study it for its own sake, without relating it to function, is utter madness. Anthony Burgess

Grammar, like it or not, helps define who you are. It is a means of organization and it helps you to think logically about what you say and write. The two golden rules to abide by are:

Avoid trouble - if you feel that a sentence is awkward - REWRITE
Say what you mean

The English language lends itself to grammatical errors. English is a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) language (e.g., The cat ate the rat.) Clauses can be added at the beginning, in the middle, and to the end of sentences. These are the causes of two of the most frequent grammar errors that I see. Other languages, such as Arabic or Hebrew, which are VSO languages are less likely to cause problems (e.g., ate the cat the rat). Japanese and Eskimo (SOV) are the least likely to be mangled (e.g., cat rat ate).

The following six most common grammatical errors that I see in student papers can result in ineffective communication:

Weak Transitional Paragraph - a paragraph that is missing words and phrases in the last sentence, which move readers from one point to the next (especially common in the first paragraph of application letters)
Fix: We have studied the importance of forecasting in reports to guide readers to wanted or needed text. The same is true in your application letter. Consider the following sentence as an example of a strong, transitional sentence: This letter will include information about the skills that I have gained from my education, and work experience.

Your second paragraph would then say something like: My education has included the following [classes/projects] that have enabled me to master such [skills/concepts].
Dangling modifiers - clauses that do not clearly and sensibly refer to a word in a sentence
Example: Opening the door, the odor of strong perfume struck me.

What opened the door? The odor?

Fix: While I was opening the door, the odor of the strong perfume struck me.
Dangling elliptical clauses - clauses where the subject or verb, or both, have been left out
Example: Though crying for attention, my mother ignored the baby.

Who was crying? The mother?

Fix: Though crying for attention, the baby was ignored by my mother.
Comma splice - when thoughts run ahead of writing, commas are used incorrectly instead of periods or semi-colons
Example: Our date will be on Friday, we will see Titanic .

Fix: Our date will be on Friday. We will see Titanic .
Split constructions - split verb phrases
Example: He has, to my great surprise, sung well.

Fix: To my great surprise, he has sung well.

NOTE: Split infinitives (e.g., to + word + verb - to vigorously applaud) are frowned on but not considered ungrammatical in America. You will NEVER see split infinitives in British English because they are taught as errors in elementary school.
Run on sentences - AVOID - write in concise, subject/verb format if you tend to be wordy