In descriptive writing, it is permitted to use different words or constructions to keep the text interesting. (This is because descriptive text is intended to give information more than instruction, and different word
forms can help do this.)
Abstraction
RULE: 1.13 Make your instructions as specific as possible.
If a text describes the general effect of an action but not specifically how to do the action, this is an example of an "abstraction".
Example:
WRITE: Increase the temperature to decrease the cure time.
NOT: Different temperatures will change the cure time.
(This does not tell the reader to increase or decrease the temperature).
Example:
WRITE: Repair all the leaks.
NOT: No leaks permitted.
(This does not give the reader any procedural instruction).
Example:
WRITE: Turn the handle first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
NOT: Turn the handle clockwise, then vice-versa.
Section 2 - Noun Phrases
Summary of the Rules
RULE: 2.1 Do not make noun clusters of more than three nouns.
RULE: 2.2 Clarify noun clusters that are Technical Names with one of these two methods:
Use hyphens to show the relationship between the most closely related words
Explain the noun cluster. Then, if possible, use a shorter name after the initial explanation
RULE: 2.3 When appropriate, use an article (the, a, an) or a demonstrative adjective (this, these) before a noun.
Noun Clusters
RULE: 2.1 Do not make noun clusters of more than three nouns.
In English, one or more nouns can be used to describe or modify another noun. In technical language, it is common to see phrases made from several nouns. These groups of nouns are calledU noun clustersU, and if they are too long, they can confuse the reader. Shorter noun clusters are easier to understand because the main noun and the other nouns that modify or describe it are closer together. Longer noun clusters are more difficult to understand because some nouns will describe another modifying noun and not the main noun (which is usually the last noun).
Example: Short noun cluster: Runway light connection (The main noun is "connection".) Long noun cluster: Runway light connection resistance calibration (The main noun is "calibration".)
The long noun cluster is difficult to understand because it is not clear what relation "runway" (for example) has with "calibration". The reader has to go past four modifying words to get to the main noun, "calibration". Such noun clusters are almost impossible to read for non-native English readers. This is probably because these readers begin with the first noun ("runway" in the above example), which, in some languages, is the main noun. But the noun that the reader needs in English is at the end of the noun cluster ("calibration" in this case).
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