Chapters 8-9

Chapter 8
In Guideline 2 the author talks about using generalizations before you present your details.  In writing it is for the most part known that you want to create a thesis statement in your first paragraph to identify for the reader what the rest of the article or paper is about.  The same can go for presenting a project or suggestion to your manager.  It is important to present the topic first and make sure your manager understands what you are presenting and what they should be looking for.  This will help the reader identify key topics within the paper that they may have not picked up on if you did not have the generalized information at the beginning of your presentation.  We have also touched on this topic in class that most people do not read a full article in today's society and that most people will just skim the article.  This makes it even more important that you catch your readers attention at the beginning so that they know this is something relevant and should take the time to read it in full.

Chapter 9
In Chapter 9 Constructing Sentences Guideline 1 they touch on a topic that we have spoken about more than once in class and that is simplifying sentences.  Often times we think that if we add a few extra words into a paragraph or paper it will make it seem like we put more thought into the paper or that we are more intelligent because we had more to say.  However, if we are using too many of the wrong words it tends to make us come across as less intelligent because we cannot seem to get the point acrossed.  By going back and simplifying sentences we can make it easier for the reader and still get our point across.  I always try to go back over what I have just written and ask if that is the way I would explain this to someone if I were speaking to them rather than writing to them.