2. Effect vs. Affect
• “You can affect an effect but you should not effect an affect –
that’s acting”
• Both words can be used as nouns and verbs
– Effect used more often as a noun
– Affect used more often as a verb
• Meanings:
– Effect (noun): consequence
– Effect (verb): to produce a result, cause something to occur
– Affect (verb): transform; to have an influence on
– Affect (noun): an emotional state as contrasted to a
cognition, cause a certain trait or emotion to occur
3. Quick Guide to Affect/Effect
1. Determine if the usage calls for a verb/noun.
2. If verb, 95% of the times it will be “affect”;
sometimes it is “effect” when the meaning is
“cause something to occur” like to effect a
change
3. If noun, the word invariably is “effect”.
4. Fill in the blanks:
1. They discussed the ___ of the law on the children.
2. His study was intended to show how alcohol ___
reaction time.
3. Smith said the cutbacks were designed to ___ basic
economies for the company.
4. Did foot-and-mouth disease ___ your business?
5. The overcast weather ___ your mood.
6. The ___ of diligent study habits is better learning.
7. Does manufacturing mineral products ___ the
environment? If so, what is the ___ of gold mining? I
do not see how that is ___ (ing form) the
environment as much as the article claims.
5. Answers:
1. They discussed the effect of the law on the children.
2. His study was intended to show how
alcohol affects reaction time.
3. Smith said the cutbacks were designed to effect basic
economies for the company.
4. Did foot-and-mouth disease affect your business?
5. The overcast weather affects your mood.
6. The effect of diligent study habits is better learning.
7. Does manufacturing mineral products affect the
environment? If so, what is the effect of gold mining?
I do not see how that is affecting the environment as
much as the article claims.
7. General vs Technical Commn.
General
• General Content & Vocab.
• Informal or Formal
• May not be factual
• Objective and Subjective
• No specific audience
• No specific purpose
• No set pattern
• May not involve graphics
Technical
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Technical Content & jargon
Mostly formal style
Always factual
Objective
Specific audience
Predetermined purpose
Follows a format/structure
Usually involves graphics
