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A lesson about the common errors made by new college writers, recorded 2/5/08.
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Editing and RevisionDr. Gerald Lucas
Always Proofread
Always Proofread
Check Content
Always Proofread
Check Content
Mechanics and Grammar
Always Proofread
Check Content
Mechanics and Grammar
Structure
Always Proofread
Check Content
Mechanics and Grammar
Structure
Style
Titles
Titles
are necessary
Titles
are necessary
get readers’ interest
Titles
are necessary
get readers’ interest
state a subject
Titles
are necessary
get readers’ interest
state a subject
state a purpose
Titles
Titles
Cell Phones
Titles
Cell Phones
Cell Phones: A Call to Action
Titles
Cell Phones
Cell Phones: A Call to Action
Cell Phones: Dangerous Road Hazards
Titles
Cell Phones
Cell Phones: A Call to Action
Cell Phones: Dangerous Road Hazards
Safer Cell Phone Usage
“This”
“This”
use “this” only as an adjective
“This”
use “this” only as an adjective
do not use “this” as a pronoun
“This”
“This”
This is dangerous while driving.
“This”
This is dangerous while driving.
This practice is dangerous while driving.
“This”
“This”
This deserves a closer look.
“This”
This deserves a closer look.
This idea deserves closer examination.
Point of View
Point of View
“pov”
Point of View
“pov”
First-person = “I,” “me”
Point of View
“pov”
First-person = “I,” “me”
Third-person = “They,” “Them,” “Their”
Point of View
“pov”
First-person = “I,” “me”
Third-person = “They,” “Them,” “Their”
Second-person = “you,” “we,” “us,” “ours”
Never use the second-person pov to mean “anyone in general”
Point of View
Point of View
You should never arrive at a party too late or leave too early.
Point of View
You should never arrive at a party too late or leave too early.
Guests should never arrive at a party too late or leave too early.
Point of View
Point of View
You were graded on your content and your mechanics in writing your essay.
Point of View
You were graded on your content and your mechanics in writing your essay.
Students were graded on their content and their mechanics in writing their essays.
Professions of Faith
Professions of Faith
What I believe to be the most visible evidence that Charlie . . .
Professions of Faith
What I believe to be the most visible evidence that Charlie . . .
In my personal opinion, everyone deserves at least a second chance.
Professions of Faith
What I believe to be the most visible evidence that Charlie . . .
In my personal opinion, everyone deserves at least a second chance.
I feel that technology should be controlled . . .
Professions of Faith
Professions of Faith
The most visible evidence that Charlie . . .
Professions of Faith
The most visible evidence that Charlie . . .
Everyone deserves at least a second chance.
Professions of Faith
The most visible evidence that Charlie . . .
Everyone deserves at least a second chance.
Technology should be controlled . . .
Quotation Marks
Quotation Marks
“Period.”
Quotation Marks
“Period.”
“Comma,”
Quotation Marks
“Period.”
“Comma,”
“Semicolon”;
Quotation Marks
“Period.”
“Comma,”
“Semicolon”;
“Colon”:
Quotation Marks
“Period.”
“Comma,”
“Semicolon”;
“Colon”:
“Question”? “Exclamation”!
Quotation Marks
“Period.”
“Comma,”
“Semicolon”;
“Colon”:
“Question”? “Exclamation”!
“Question?” “Exclamation!”
Quotation Marks
Quotation Marks
One of the major themes that tie in with this is that of Charlie’s “split identity”.
Quotation Marks
One of the major themes that tie in with this is that of Charlie’s “split identity”.
One of the major themes that tie in with this is that of Charlie’s “split identity.”
Quotation Marks
Quotation Marks
In Joyce’s “Araby”, the narrator explores this current state by looking back at the past.
Quotation Marks
In Joyce’s “Araby”, the narrator explores this current state by looking back at the past.
In Joyce’s “Araby,” the narrator explores this current state by looking back at the past.
Semicolon / Colon
Semicolon / Colon; = Independent Clause ; IC
Semicolon / Colon; = Independent Clause ; IC
“Indian Camp” showcases Indian oppression; it brings the reality of racism to the forefront.
Semicolon / Colon; = Independent Clause ; IC
“Indian Camp” showcases Indian oppression; it brings the reality of racism to the forefront.
: = an announcer
Semicolon / Colon; = Independent Clause ; IC
“Indian Camp” showcases Indian oppression; it brings the reality of racism to the forefront.
: = an announcer
From the first paragraph the atmosphere is dark: the blind street, the imprisoned boys, houses with imperturbable faces.
Very Really Quite Alot Nice . . .
Very Really Quite Alot Nice . . .
Avoid these
Contractions
Contractions
Avoid them
Contractions
Avoid them
don’t = do not
Contractions
Avoid them
don’t = do not
won’t = will not
Contractions
Avoid them
don’t = do not
won’t = will not
shouldn’t = should not
Contractions
Avoid them
don’t = do not
won’t = will not
shouldn’t = should not
they’ll = they will
Spelling
Spelling
Look up words you do not know
Spelling
Look up words you do not know
Never trust the spell checker
Spelling
Look up words you do not know
Never trust the spell checker
homonyms
Spelling
Look up words you do not know
Never trust the spell checker
homonyms
their - they’re
Spelling
Look up words you do not know
Never trust the spell checker
homonyms
their - they’re
than - then
Spelling
Look up words you do not know
Never trust the spell checker
homonyms
their - they’re
than - then
Check style manual in your comp handbook
Possessives
Possessives
Do not confuse with plurals and vice versa
Possessives
Do not confuse with plurals and vice versa
Singular possessive: society’s
Possessives
Do not confuse with plurals and vice versa
Singular possessive: society’s
Plural possessive: societies’
Possessives
Do not confuse with plurals and vice versa
Singular possessive: society’s
Plural possessive: societies’
Plural: societies
Possessives
Do not confuse with plurals and vice versa
Singular possessive: society’s
Plural possessive: societies’
Plural: societies
Possessive: its (no apostrophe)
Possessives
Do not confuse with plurals and vice versa
Singular possessive: society’s
Plural possessive: societies’
Plural: societies
Possessive: its (no apostrophe)
Contraction: it’s (it is)
Pronouns
Pronouns
Number (singular or plural) must agree with its antecedent (singular or plural)
Pronouns
Number (singular or plural) must agree with its antecedent (singular or plural)
Incorrect: Every person has their biases.
Pronouns
Number (singular or plural) must agree with its antecedent (singular or plural)
Incorrect: Every person has their biases.
Correct: Every person has her biases.
Pronouns
Number (singular or plural) must agree with its antecedent (singular or plural)
Incorrect: Every person has their biases.
Correct: Every person has her biases.
Incorrect: Everyone has their quirks.
Pronouns
Number (singular or plural) must agree with its antecedent (singular or plural)
Incorrect: Every person has their biases.
Correct: Every person has her biases.
Incorrect: Everyone has their quirks.
Correct: Everyone has his quirks.
Pronouns
Pronouns
Every student must turn in their homework.
Pronouns
Every student must turn in their homework.
Every student must turn in her homework.
Pronouns
Every student must turn in their homework.
Every student must turn in her homework.
Every student must turn in his homework.
Pronouns
Every student must turn in their homework.
Every student must turn in her homework.
Every student must turn in his homework.
All students must turn in their homework.
Active Voice
Active Voice
Use active voice whenever possible
Active Voice
Use active voice whenever possible
The book was written by the professor.
Active Voice
Use active voice whenever possible
The book was written by the professor.
The professor wrote the book.
Active Voice
Use active voice whenever possible
The book was written by the professor.
The professor wrote the book.
Look for a form of “be”: is, was, am, etc.
Unsure about something? LOOK IT UP!
©2004 Gerald Lucas
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