To: Nikki Agee

From: Michael Nigro

Rhetoric 1302
2/2/16
CC:
Chapter twenty-one
The purpose of this memo is to discuss the information found in chapter sixteen found in the
book technical communications today 5th edition. Through close examination the topics found
proper technique for presentations, such as: style, plain sentence structure, plain paragraph
structure, translating, and persuasive style.
Style
Style tends to involve wording and phrasing, sentence and paragraph structure, tone, and
text in a visual sense. There are different types of styles one can use in writing those
include:
o Plain style-this style stresses clear wording and simple prose and is typically used
for teaching, instructing and presenting information
o Persuasive style-this is typically used when you want to persuade an audience or
call for action
o Grand style-grand style stresses eloquence and normally is used to move an
audience to do an action. John f. Kennedy and martin Luther king jr. noth used
grand style in their speeches
Knowing these styles may be important for rhetoric but in technical communication an
individual will use plain and persuasive style are solely.
Plain Sentence structure
Grammatically sentence structure is very important however by switching around the
orientation of the subjective and comment one can shift the focus of each sentence.
Typically when using sentence structure in technically fall short chapter sixteen mentions
eight guidelines to follow.
1. Make the subject of the sentence what the sentence is about
2. User the doer as the subject of the sentence
3. Use the verb to express the action, or what the doer is doing
4. Put the subject of the sentence early in the sentence
5. Eliminate nominalizations(perfectly good verbs and adjectives that have been
used as nouns)
6. Eliminate excessive prepositional phrases
7. Eliminate redundancy in sentences
8. Write sentences that allow your reader to breathe
The use of these rules allows not only the reader to understand easily as well as your
audience.
Plain Paragraph structure
Paragraph structure of a document and a presentation is important in order to convey the
subject and information be provided properly. Similarly to a sentence structure paragraph

structure allows the writer to change the focus merely by changing the order of sentences
which include transition, topic, support and point sentences. While the method of
changing the sentences is very affective chapter 16 mentions a new method of using
given information first and then building on that with now information. Other than that
those are the two methods that can be used in technical communication.
Translating
The translation of ones information is important since the technical community tends to
exist transculturally. The chapter focuses on these short rules for ease of translating:
o Use basic sentence
o Use consistent wording and punctuation
o Avoid the use of metaphors, saying and clichs
o Remove any cultural, historical, or sport related text
o Back translate all text
o Use spellcheck both before and after translating
o Avoid words with double meanings
o Minimize jargon and acronyms.
While the use of translators is often emphasized in technical communication in some
cases one cannot afford or use one in situations. While a translator my seem like the only
option there are in fact online translation programs for free such as google translate and
Bing.
Persuasive style
Persuasive a s stated earlier is normally used to either persuade your audience or to call
for action on an issue. The method that helps in persuasive writing is the use of
comparisons. These include similes, analogies, and metaphors. Similes and analogies will
typical be used for giving the audience a clear picture while a metaphor is normally used
to create deeper meanings. Another trait that persuasive style uses is changing the pace
where the author will slow down or speed up certain section in order to add intensity and
emphasis. While both persuasive and plain styles is important it is stressed that a good
document or presentation will try to find a balance of both styles.
Reflection and conclusion
This chapter seem to focus on ones style behind ones presentations and documents.
Compared to chapter 21 it is much focused on how you reader interpret tone and provide
info verbally instead of information the audience will read. The examples provided were
not used to clarify certain section as I was not need but rather to expand info in certain
areas. I believe the information was provided efficiently and properly and had no
questions.
Concluding the main topic stressed in chapter 16 was the style and practice one should go
through when presenting and drafting documents in order to properly communicate to
their audience. I look forward to moving past my weak points when using proper style
that I currently have. If you wish to contact me please do so at my email
manigro@miners.utep.edu