MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION

PGDMPGDM-Ist YEAR, Ist TRIM.

PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE WRITING: STYLE, WORD-USAGE, WORDORGANIZATION, MECHANICS AND FORM

PARAGRAPH WRITING AND COMPREHENSION



A distinct division of written or printed matter that begins on a new, usually indented line, consists of one or more sentences, and typically deals with a single thought or topic or quotes one speaker's continuous words. Or, a section of a piece of writing, usually devoted to one idea, which begins on a new line and is often indented

THE TOPIC SENTENCE

The topic sentence is a sentence that sets out the main idea or topic of a paragraph. It is often paragraph. the first sentence especially when arguing a point where it may well be followed by further information, examples etc.. If the writing is exploring a point, it frequently comes as the last sentence, drawing a conclusion from the argument.

Developing the Topic:



First, try to find a topic sentence in the paragraph or section of the text to use as a topic sentence. If you cannot find one, then write your own topic sentence by combining important ideas from several sentences. In the following example, the underlined sentence forms a good topic sentence for this passage: The Egyptian civilization was one of the most important cultures of the ancient world. This civilization flourished along the rich banks and delta of the Nile River for many centuries, from 3200 B.C. until the Roman conquest in 30 B.C. ...

After the topic sentence, the rest of the paragraph supports the point you wish to make. Inexperienced writers often fail to construct effective paragraphs because they make an assertion without backing it up. The following paragraph provides a topic but no development: Jane is relieved to find that Mrs. Fairfax is in fact a nice lady, and that she does not own Fairfield. Perhaps she wants to live as an equal, or maybe she is tired of having authority figures looking over her, as they have done for her entire life.

The writer does not develop the statement in the first sentence; rather the discussion fizzles out into speculation with no specific reference to the text.

COHERENCE
When sentences, ideas, and details fit together clearly, readers can follow along easily, and the writing is coherent. The ideas tie together smoothly and clearly.

To establish the links that readers need, you can use the methods listed here:
1)Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase


This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on track. Example: Example: The problem with contemporary art is that it is not easily understood by most people. Contemporary art is deliberately abstract, and that means it leaves the viewer wondering what she is looking at.

2)Synonyms


Synonyms are words that have essentially the same meaning, and they provide some variety in your word choices, helping the reader to stay focused on the idea being discussed. Example: Example: Myths narrate sacred histories and explain sacred origins. These traditional narratives are, in short, a set of beliefs that are a very real force in the lives of the people who tell them.

3)Pronouns
This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, they, and we are useful pronouns for referring back to something previously mentioned. Be sure, however, that what you are referring to is clear. Example: Example: When scientific experiments do not work out as expected, they are often considered failures until some other scientist tries them again. Those that work out better the second time around are the ones that promise the most rewards.

4)Transitional Words


There are many words in English that cue our readers to relationships between sentences, joining sentences together. There you'll find lists of words such as however, therefore, in addition, also, but, moreover, etc. etc. Example: I like autumn, and yet autumn is a sad time of the year, too. The leaves turn bright shades of red and the weather is mild, but I can't help thinking ahead to the winter and the ice storms that will surely blow through here. In addition, that will be the season of addition, chapped faces, too many layers of clothes to put on, and days when I'll have to shovel heaps of snow from my car's windshield.

5)Sentence Patterns


Sometimes, repeated or parallel sentence patterns can help the reader follow along and keep ideas tied together. Example: Example: (from a speech by President John F. Kennedy) And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your you--ask country.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARAGRAPH



Every paragraph in a paper should be: Unified All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single main idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph). Clearly related to the thesis The sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper.

Coherent The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development Well-developed Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph's controlling idea

5-step process to paragraph development



1. Controlling idea and topic sentence (s) the expression of the main idea, topic, or focus of the paragraph in a sentence or a collection of sentences. Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph's development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. Here's how you might begin a paragraph on handing in homework:

Idea Learning how to turn in homework assignments on time is one of the most valuable skills that MANAGEMENT students can take with them into the working world.

2. Explanation of controlling idea the writer's explanation of his/her thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the paragraph Paragraph development continues with an expression of the rationale or the explanation that the writer gives for how the reader should interpret the information presented in the idea statement or topic sentence of the paragraph. Here's the sentence that would follow the controlling idea about homework deadlines: Explanation Though the workforce may not assign homework to its workers in the traditional sense, many of the objectives and jobs that need to be completed require that employees work with deadlines. The deadlines that students encounter in the classroom may be different in content when compared to the deadlines of the workforce, but the importance of meeting those deadlines is the same. In fact, failure to meet deadlines in both the classroom and the workforce can have serious consequences.

3. Example the example serves as a sign or representation of the relationship established in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraph Paragraph development progresses with the expression of some type of support or evidence for the idea and the explanation that came before it. Here are two examples that you might use to follow the homework deadline explanation:

Example A For example, in the classroom, students form a contract with the teacher and the university when they enroll in a class. That contract requires that students complete the assignments and objectives set forth by the course's instructor in a specified time to receive a grade and credit for the course. Example B Accordingly, just as a student risks failing in the classroom if he/she does not meet the deadline for a homework assignment, so, too, does that student risk termination in the workforce.

4. Explanation (of example) the reasoning behind why you chose to use this/or these particular examples as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph. The next movement in paragraph development is an explanation of each example and its relevance to the topic sentence and rationale given at the beginning of the paragraph. This pattern continues until all points/examples that the reader deems necessary have been made and explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained; the relationship between the example and the idea should always be expressed. Look at these two explanations for the examples in the homework deadline paragraph:

Explanation for example AWhen a A student fails to complete assignments by the deadline, the student breaks her contract with the university and the teacher. This often leaves the teacher with no other recourse than to fail the student and the university with no other recourse than to deny the student credit for the course. Explanation for example BA former B student's contract with his/her employer functions in much the same way as the contract that student had with his/her instructor and with the university in a particular course.

5. Completion of paragraph's idea or transition into next paragraph a review for your reader about the relevance of the information that you just discussed in the paragraph, or a transition or preparation for your reader for the paragraph that follows:


The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph and reminding the reader of the relevance of the information in this paragraph to the main or controlling idea of the paper. You might feel more comfortable, however, simply transitioning your reader to the next development in the next paragraph. Here's an example of a sentence that completes the homework deadlines paragraph:

Idea Developing good habits about turning in assignments now will aid your performance as a future participant in the working world.

What is Comprehension?


Comprehension is... the essence of reading active and intentional thinking in which the meaning is constructed through interactions between the test and the reader

Basic Approach to Comprehension

1.

Read the passage fairly quickly to get the general idea.

2. Read again, a little slowly, so as to know the details.

3. Study the questions thoroughly. Turn to the relevant portions of the passage, read them again, and then rewrite them in your own words, neatly and precisely.

4. Be sure that in answering the questions you do not add any new ideas of your own. 5. If you are asked to give the meaning of any words or phrases, you should express the idea as clearly as possible in your own words. Certain words require the kind of definition that is given in a dictionary. Take care to frame the definition in conformity with the part of speech. 6. Use complete sentences.