From morphemes to manuscripts: how linguistics can make you a better writer
summary
Explains concrete edits and rules that improve clarity: replace vague timing with data uploads within 24 hours, swap ambiguous nouns for verbs as in accounts vs calculates, rewrite sentences to resolve NP/VP ambiguity like do not use X and Y at the same time, and prefer present-tense verbs or add that to mark ed/adjective distinctions for better translation. Covers passive voice tradeoffs, morphemes and syncretism, cites Virtual Linguistics Campus and plainlanguage.gov as usable resources.
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chapters (11)
- 0:00Linguistics and writing
- 1:45What linguistics is
- 3:11Linguistics improves communication
- 4:14Semantics: vague vs ambiguous
- 7:07Fixing vague writing
- 11:24Syntax: passive voice
- 15:01Morphology: word breakdown
- 21:11Syncretism: when words look the same but aren't
- 27:37Key linguistic lessons
- 29:44Linguistics resources
- 30:50Q&A
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