PicToWord
Jargon
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
D E F I N I T I O N O F S T Y L E
WHAT IS STYLE?
Writing style is personal. It's how a
writer's personality comes through in
their words and sentences. It affects
how readers understand the message.
Everyone has their own style, and
understanding style helps craft
effective communication, especially in
reports.
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
T H E S C I E N T I F I C A T T I T U D E
THE SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE
Strive for clear, concise, and engaging writing while maintaining accuracy and
objectivity.
Adjust language and structure based on the unique situation and audience of the report.
Ensure the report communicates ideas effectively without distracting readers with
unnecessary details.
E.g.
Rewrite passive voice sentences for
conciseness
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
R E A D A B I L I T Y
READABILITY
Make sure every report is clear, simple, and easy to
understand. Choose language that aligns with the audience's
knowledge, expectations, and background. Keep the report’s
context and purpose in mind, adjusting tone and style as
needed. Your primary goal is to convey your message in a
way that readers can follow and grasp without difficulty. This
approach ensures your report is both effective and valuable
to its audience.
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
R E A D A B I L I T Y
READABILITY FORMULA
Developed by Robert Gunning in The Technique of Clear Writing, the Fog Index measures writing
difficulty based on sentence length and complex words. A fog index of ten or less indicates easy
reading level while fog index above 12 indicates heavy reading.
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
R E A D A B I L I T Y
READABILITY FORMULA
Example:
It can be postulated that the common and basic attributes of the effective leader will centre on those elements of
human personality which affect interpersonal relations. The anonymous transmission of a directive or a fact is not
leadership, even though it often passes for such. If human organisation is recognised as fundamentally different from
a machine, the difference begins at the top and pervades the whole. That difference lies at the point where one person
relates to another.
Result:
A Fog Index above 12 indicates "heavy reading." The sample passage is considered difficult.
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
P R A C T I C A L H I N T S F O R S T Y L E
Choice of Words and Phrases
Clear, concise, and precise
language ensures that the
message is understood as
intended.
By choosing the right words,
the writer avoids confusion or
misunderstanding among
readers.
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
P R A C T I C A L H I N T S F O R S T Y L E
1. Precision
Using exact words or phrases to convey a clear
and specific meaning.
Specific terms make writing more accurate and
clear.
E.g.
Use “manual” instead of “publication”
Use “equipment” instead of “thing”
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
P R A C T I C A L H I N T S F O R S T Y L E
2. Conciseness
Expressing ideas in the fewest words possible
while maintaining clarity.
Concise writing is efficient and impactful.
E.g.
Use “because” instead of “due to the fact that”
Use “now” instead of “at this point in time”
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
P R A C T I C A L H I N T S F O R S T Y L E
3. Plainness
emphasizes using simple, familiar words that are
easy to understand.
Easier to understand and make writing more
accessible.
E.g.
Use “end” instead of “terminate”
Use “start” instead of “commence”
Chapter 20: Elements of Style
P R A C T I C A L H I N T S F O R S T Y L E
4. Clichés
Overused phrases or expressions that have lost
their originality or impact
Clichés make writing sound unoriginal.
E.g.
“Think outside the box” “Better late than never”
“It is what it is” “Only time will tell”
