Studies what people perceive when they read a passage.
Example: Which is correct?
A. Please go out to the garage and bring me the rake, which is broken.
B. Please go out to the garage and bring me the rake which is broken.
C. Please go out to the garage and bring me the rake that is broken.
D. Please go out to the garage and bring me the rake, which is broken.
Answer:
A&C grammatically correct, B&D grammatically wrong
The issue? The which/that rule is hard to remember
nMyth: “Write the way you speak”
nSpeaking has more information (verbal/nonverbal cues)
nInstead: “Write the way your readers read”
nMyth: “To see if your writing is good, read it out loud”
nYou only reinforce the w->X linkage, not whether someone will comprehend w->X
nMyth: “To make it better, make it shorter”
nLonger sentences are harder to write, not read!
nMyth: “Avoid the verb to be and other weak verbs”
nVerbs gain meaning through context. This is more important
nMyth: “Vary the way you begin sentences to keep your reader interested”
nLinkages, plus beginning of a sentence is just too important for variety sake. What is the role of your writing?
