Some examples of speaker-oriented language rules are:
- Use an active voice instead of a passive voice because it emphasises the subject of the sentence and makes the sentence sound more direct.
For example, "He wrote the book" is more speaker-oriented than "The book was written by him".
- Write short, simple sentences because they are easier to read and understand.
For example, "The book was interesting" is more speaker-oriented than "The book, which contained many fascinating ideas and was well-written and informative, was an enjoyable read".
- Use personal pronouns to refer to yourself because it makes the writing sound more personal and engaging.
For example, "I think that the book was interesting" is more speaker-oriented than "The book was thought to be interesting".
Reader-oriented language rules, on the other hand, focus on the reader's perspective and take into account their knowledge, needs and interests. Some examples include:
- Use plain language or avoid technical jargon because it helps the reader understand the content.
- Use active voice instead of passive voice when possible to make the sentence more direct and easier to understand.
- Use strong verbs instead of weak verbs to make the sentence more vivid and engaging.
- Use specific details and examples to illustrate your points and make them more memorable for the reader.
- Use signposting such as headings and subheadings to break up the text and make it easier to follow.
- Consider the reader's prior knowledge and interests when choosing the level of detail and tone of the text.
You can find more information about speaker-oriented and reader-oriented language rules in books or articles on writing and communication, such as:
* "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser
* "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk and E.B. White
* "Writing with Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process" by Peter Elbow
* "Revising Prose" by Richard Lanham