The document discusses various grammar rules and style guidelines for writing, including the proper use of commas, apostrophes, semicolons, dashes, and pronouns. It also provides tips for constructing clear, concise sentences through techniques like maintaining parallel structure, using specific words, and employing the active voice.
A Writer’s Reference 8th Edition by Diana Hacker PDF FreeLuis York
Download link is on slide 4, or copy/paste: http://bit.ly/AWrRef8thPDF
Tags: a writer's reference 8th edition pdf, a writer's reference diana hacker, a writers reference, diana hacker, hacker sommers a writer's reference, nancy sommers, writers reference
Strunk Jr's writing tips for students and beginning writers. It's no frills because it relies on a teacher to add context verbally. Take it, bend it, shape it any way you want.
A Writer’s Reference 8th Edition by Diana Hacker PDF FreeLuis York
Download link is on slide 4, or copy/paste: http://bit.ly/AWrRef8thPDF
Tags: a writer's reference 8th edition pdf, a writer's reference diana hacker, a writers reference, diana hacker, hacker sommers a writer's reference, nancy sommers, writers reference
Strunk Jr's writing tips for students and beginning writers. It's no frills because it relies on a teacher to add context verbally. Take it, bend it, shape it any way you want.
The following is a slide show that was used within a "personal cultural history" presentation as a course requirement for Lit5034.
This one will a be a tough one to follow without a slidecast. Perhaps I'll do that in the near future. Oh well. ;)
The following is a slide show that was used within a "personal cultural history" presentation as a course requirement for Lit5034.
This one will a be a tough one to follow without a slidecast. Perhaps I'll do that in the near future. Oh well. ;)
7. Interruptions
• The best way to see a country
is to travel on foot.
• The best way to see a country
unless you are pressed for
time is to travel on foot.
• The best way to see a country,
unless you are pressed for
time, is to travel on foot.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
8. Interruptions
• Well Susan, this is a fine mess
you’re in.
• Well, Susan, this is a fine mess
you’re in.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
9. Combining
sentences
• The audience was at first
indifferent. Later they became
more interested.
• The audience, which had
initially been indifferent, later
became more interested.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
10. Is it a key phrase or not?
• A key phrase should not have commas when inserted
• People sitting in the rear couldn’t hear.
• A person trained in the arts tends to be more creative.
• Uncle Bert, who is a friend of mine, came over for dinner.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
11. Semicolons
• Used for sentences not
inclusive of conjunctions
“
• No “but”, “and”, etc. Man proposes,
• It is nearly half past five;
God disposes.
making it back to town will be
challenging. ”
• Except proverbs, cliches,
conversational sentences
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
12. More interruptions
• The interrupting clause does
not make the tense
• The journey of Gandhi - all of
the ups and downs - makes
great reading.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
13. None = no one = not one
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
14. His first thought when he got out
Introducing the dash of bed - if he had any thought at
all - was to get back in again.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
15. Who... or whoever? A guide to pronouns
• Tricky! • Avoid ambiguity, but don’t go
into excess
• Who is it?
• Blake and myself stayed
home.
• Whoever made this mess
should clear up.
• Blake and I stayed home.
• Gerald is the new person who is
in charge of finances. • She loves you more than me.
• Gerald is the new person whom • She loves you more than she
you should look for. loves me.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
16. Do you mind me asking a question?
Do you mind my asking a question?
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
17. Referring to the right term
• Wondering resolutely what to do next, the clock struck twelve.
• While I wondered resolutely what to do next, the clock struck twelve.
• Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.
• The house, being in a dilapidated condition, was sold rather cheaply.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
18. Active voice
• More concise
• At dawn the crowing of a
rooster could be heard.
• The cock’s crow came at
dawn.
• There were a great number
of dead leaves lying on the
ground.
• Dead leaves lay on the
ground.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
19. Positivity
• Also helps to be more concise
• He was not often on time.
• He was often late.
• Shakespeare portrays Brutus as a person whose character is not strong
enough to handle the temptation of being noble.
• Shakespeare portrays Brutus as weak, naive, and malleable.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
20. Be specific
• Clarity is key
• A period of unfavorable weather forced the harvest to a later time.
• The farmer postponed the harvest due to rain.
• The satisfaction that he showed when he collected his hard-earned reward
was obvious.
• He grinned as he pocketed the coins.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
21. Needless words
The question as to whether Whether
He is a man who He
In a nasty manner Nastily
Her story is a strange one Her story is strange
The reason why is that Because
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
22. Avoid loose
sentences
The teacher was almost thirty.
She just started at this job. She
used to be a financial adviser.
The hours were long and the pay
often miserable. Thus, she
decided to switch.
She became a teacher, not
because of passion, but because
she used to be a financial
adviser, working long hours with
miserable pay.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
23. Parallel construction
• Be consistent
• In spring, summer, or in
winter
• In spring, summer or winter
• A time not for words but
action
• A time not for words but for
action
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
24. Related words - keep them together
• You can call your mother in • New York’s first commercial human-
London and tell her all about sperm bank opened on Friday with
George’s taking you out to dinner semen samples from eighteen men
for just two dollars. frozen in a stainless-steel tank.
• For just two dollars, you can call • New York’s first commercial human-
your mother in London and tell her sperm bank opened on Friday with
all about George’s taking you out to semen samples taken from
dinner. eighteen men. The samples were
then frozen in a stainless-steel
tank.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
26. Common mistakes
• Alright vs. All right
• “Case” can often be omitted: It is often the case that... (You don’t need this)
• Comprise: means embrace
• Data: always plural
• However: better not used at the beginning
• Irregardless vs regardless
• Meaningful: often meaningless
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
27. Common mistakes
• Firstly, secondly, thirdly, fourthly?: Omit the -ly
• The truth is... the fact is...: You don’t need this.
• While: Don’t use as a connective
• Avoid overdoing similes and metaphors
• Fancy words: Avoid.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
28. Tips
• Write with nouns and verbs
• Do not overwrite
• Prefer the standard to the offbeat
• Be clear
Tuesday, 7 September 2010