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The sentence "I know I saw the information I need in this document, but now I can't find it." violates which of these four general writing criteria?

User Sateesh
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The sentence 'I know I saw the information I need in this document, but now I can't find it.' lacks clarity and coherence, uses a casual tone unsuited for a formal audience, and reflects a departure from the grammatical consistency expected in professional writing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sentence “I know I saw the information I need in this document, but now I can't find it.” potentially violates the criteria of clarity and coherence. In the context of academic or professional writing, sentences should maintain a consistent tone and should be constructed clearly to convey the writer's message effectively. This sentence displays a lack of focus and drifts into a conversational style that may not be suited to formal writing or to the intended audience.

Based on the provided reference points, the sentence shows a lapse in maintaining a professional tone, which is key in meeting the expectations of the audience and purpose of the document. The casual language used in the sentence may reflect a lack of thought in terms of the rhetorical situation, which requires a more polished and deliberate choice of words.

Additionally, the sentence may contradict the 'Editing Focus' by exhibiting mixed sentence constructions, leading to a lack of grammatical consistency. Not adhering to conventions can disrupt the flow and make it difficult for readers to follow the argument or information being presented, thereby losing the interest of the target audience. Overall, the sentence lacks the sophistication expected in professional or academic settings where clarity, coherence, and a formal tone are paramount.

User Justin Bozonier
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