AP English Language AMSCO Guided Notes
7.4: Clarity
AP English Language Guided Notes
AMSCO 7.4 - Clarity
Essential Questions
- How do grammar and mechanics contribute to clarity in writing?
I. Grammar, Mechanics, and Punctuation for Meaning
1. How do grammar and mechanics enable clear communication, and why are they valued in academic writing?
2. What is the difference between grammar and mechanics, and what role does each play in written communication?
A. Grammar and Mechanics
1. What is grammar and how do grammatical conventions help writers show relationships among ideas?
2. How can a sentence with correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization still confuse readers, and what causes this confusion?
3. What are mechanics, and how do the rules of mechanics replace the vocal cues available in spoken communication?
B. Punctuation
1. What is the basic function of punctuation, and how does it show relationships among ideas in a sentence?
2. How do dashes function in sentences to emphasize or clarify information, and what effect do they create?
3. How do parentheses function differently from dashes when setting off nonessential information?
4. What are six ways that punctuation can advance a writer's purpose?
II. Design Features
1. What are design features and how do writers use them to create emphasis in their writing?
A. Adding Emphasis
1. How can italics be used to express meaning beyond indicating titles and foreign terms?
2. What is the purpose of boldface text, and when should writers use it in their writing?
3. Why should italics and boldface be used sparingly, and what determines when they are truly necessary?
Key Terms
boldface
design features
grammar
italics
mechanics
punctuation