How to Communicate Clearly in Writing

1. How to Communicate Clearly in Writing Mr. McElrath

2. Step 1: What is the focus of the question? • Before writing a response to an question or prompt, you must figure out what the question or prompt is asking you to write about. • Example • There are many great ancient civilizations in history, why do some experts believe that the ancient Romans are the greatest ever? • What is the focus of this question?

3. Step 1: What is the focus of the question? • Which answer addresses the focus of the question the best? • Some experts consider the ancient Romans to be the greatest civilization ever because of their advancements in architecture and technology. We still use many of their ideas today. OR • People think that Rome is better than Greece and other ancient civilizations because even though other civilizations made great advancements, they weren’t as great as the one the Romans made.

4. Step 1: What is the focus of the question? • The first answer is best because it: • Restates the question • Focuses only on the topic (why Rome is best civilization) • Is broken down into two simple sentences • The second answer is not the best because: • It does not restate the question • Focuses on comparing Roman and Greek accomplishments • Is one long complex sentence

5. Step 2: Begin your answer by restating the question • In our example the question was: • There are many great ancient civilizations in history, why do some experts believe that the ancient Romans are the greatest ever? • In our example the answer began with: • Some experts consider the ancient Romans to be the greatest civilization ever because of their advancements in architecture and technology. We still use some of their ideas today. • By restating the question, the writer makes it absolutely crystal clear what the sentence is about

6. Step 3: Write simple sentences • Consider this question: • What makes your favorite hobby so great? • Now, what is the simplest way to answer this question? • First • Restate the question • Soccer is my favorite hobby because… • Second • Complete the answer with simple sentences • Soccer is my favorite hobby because I enjoy running and being outside. I also like soccer because it is a team sport. I like working together with my teammates to win the game.

7. Step 3: Write simple sentences • Below is the full answer: • Soccer is my favorite hobby because I enjoy running and being outside. I also like soccer because it is a team sport. I like working together with my teammates to win the game. Soccer is my favorite because it is a challenging sport. When you are able to score a goal it feels very rewarding. • Now let’s look at each sentence on its own.

8. Step 4: Proof read your answer • After you write your answer read over it and ask yourself… • Did I write about the focus/main idea of the question or prompt? • Did I write about anything that the question did not ask for? • Would my answer make sense to someone who did not know what the question was?

9. Step 5: Be confident • If you have followed the first 4 steps, be confident in your answer and move on to the next question

10. Practice • Answer the following questions • What are the three most interesting things that you learned about last year? Why? • Name three things that you want to learn about this year? Why?