UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
APPLIED COMPUTING
BAC2207 PROFESSIONAL WRITING
FULLTIME
ORDINARY EXAMINATIONS
DATE: AUGUST, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
a) Explain how sentence structure contributes to the professionalism of writing (4 Marks)
b) Describe the following key elements of scientific writing:
i) Precision
ii) Clarity
iii) Objectivity (6 Marks)
c) Describe TWO types of professional literature (4 Marks)
d) Explain the rationale behind using the passive voice and offer TWO limitations of using
passive voice (4 Marks)
e) Substitute the following complex words with simple alternatives:
i) Utilize (1 Mark)
ii) Proximity (1 Mark)
iii) Advantageous (1 Mark)
iv) Subsequently (1 Mark)
f) Provide an extensive discussion of how the following style considerations can increase
understanding of a professional article:
i) Coherence (4 Marks)
ii) Voice (4 Marks)
QUESTION TWO [20 MARKS]
a) Rewrite the following sentences to be correct (4 Marks)
i) There are less jobs available during a recession.
ii) “Its a long way to the top”, he said.
iii) Students should refer to a large number of references, that are found in the library.
iv) She resolved to affect a change in the healthcare system.
b) Discuss THREE guidelines to follow if a writer chooses to use the active voice with “I” or
“we,”: (6 Marks)
c) Briefly describe the following sections of a proposal
i) Abstract (2 Marks)
ii) Statement of the problem (2 Marks)
d) Explain the factors to be considered in writing a good conclusion (6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]
a) Describe the following terms as they apply to referencing: (3 Marks)
i) Citing
ii) Bibliography
iii) Reference
b) Describe any FIVE common errors of word usage and give examples. (5 Marks)
c) Your proposal describes your proposed plan of work. Describe any FOUR aspects to be
addressed in this document (8 Marks)
d) Outline and FOUR issues that should be brought out in the methodology section a scientific
article (4 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
You have been assigned the task of writing a news article concerning imported contraband sugar.
The following is a summary of the findings:
a) An analysis carried out on samples of the 1,400 bags of illegal sugar seized by police in
different operations revealed that some of the sugar contained contaminated water insoluble
matter.
b) Recently, Dr Matiang’i had inspected another 1,365 bags of illegal sugar recovered from
warehouses in Eastleigh, Ruiru and Nairobi’s Industrial Area.
c) Machines used to package and repackage the illegally imported sugar were also impounded
during the police operation.
Required:
Write a news item of not less than a half-page length. Pay attention to principles of good
news writing and structure the article professionally. (20 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
a) Rewrite the following sentences using as few words as possible:
i) It is generally thought that the most common reason for the difference in
experimental results in simulation experiments can be said to be due to the large
amount of variability between individuals of any population that is being studied.
(3 Marks)
ii) The question of whether or not students should be expected to pay tuition fees
continues to be under debate. (2 Marks)
iii) Use a great deal of care to ensure that your fingers do not come into contact with the
electrical energy source. (2 Marks)
b) Substitute the following phrases with an equivalent more precise word/ phrase: (5 Marks)
i) Submitted his resignation
ii) Economically disadvantaged
iii) Due to the fact that
iv) In spite of the fact that
v) With the possible exception of
c) Explain the following parts of a professional article:
i) Crucial information
ii) Supportive information
iii) Repetitive information (8 Marks)
