unit 1

I am going to post here my homeworks of the course I take in McGill University. Not to teach someone but rather to remember the material we pass through during the course English Grammar and Writing Techniques. Your comments are warmly welcomed and appreciated!

Since there is such a topic as Blog Writing in the course I believe this blogspot of mine will be useful.

So, this is the first one about good writing, the text taken from the anthology recommended by our professor to buy ($20) at McGill bookstore.

Simplicity Questions

1.What is the main argument or thesis of “Simplicity”? (Course pack p.111)

The gist of the article is the right way of writing. The good writing must be clear as reflection of clear way of thinking. It is not something given like a nature's gift but might be learnt by hard working.

2.List some examples of clutter. (Course pack p.111)

Too complicated texts of manuals, sophisticated style of insurance or medical plans, ciphered financial reports, and my favorite one – FIDO mobile plans.


3.How can a writer avoid clutter? (Course pack p.113)

In very simple manner – just to simplify the words themselves and the text entirely by means of which one tries to express thoughts. In any case, it should be started from clear thinking, then continued in clear writing, and finally, in iterative redactions in order to achieve the initial lucidity of mind.


4.Define the “common reader” and list some possible reasons a reader could become confused when reading a text. (Course pack p.113)

This is a person with very short average period (30 sec) of attention and many temptations to lose the latter like the following: TV, cellular, advertising, radio, internet and so on.


5.Provide examples of ways a writer can be careless. (Course pack p.113)

It can be in many forms. For example, the shoddiness when a reader may interpret a phrase in a few ways, or when a logical liaison is absent, or a reader just loses the sense because of verbiage or incorrect using of a word.


6.Why is the edited manuscript included in the “Simplicity” essay? (Course pack pgs. 114-115)

To show us the process of 'clearing' as it is in reality of a writer's life. How much work should be done before the text is accepted in final redaction.


7.What important questions should writers ask themselves? (Course pack p.116)

Is what I have written exactly what I wanted to say? Would it be enough clear for somebody else who reads it without my assistance? How much bigger could my honorarium be if I added some more words in this apparently too simple and short sentence?


8.What conclusions does the author of “Simplicity” come to? (Course pack p.116)

The author bewares us to be persistent on that long hard road that leads to good writing (good mention of the ancient proportion of inspiration and respiration in any action).