English 11 Writing/CommunicationMr. Rinka Lesson #14

Narrative Essay (cont.) Word Usage

Using Words

Much of our writing is a personal effort to express ourselves as clearly and accurately as possible. As writer’s, we must be very careful in our word selection. The following slides give you some guidance in your word selection.

“anxious”

This word is often misused as a synonym for “excited.” “Anxious” is a synonym for “nervous.”

I was anxious about making my speech to the student body.

“bad” – “badly”

“bad” = an adjectiveWe saw a bad car accident on the highway yesterday.

“badly” = an adverbSteve played badly in the game yesterday.

“can” – “may”

“can” = able to do somethingI can help you with your math homework.

“may” = allowed to do somethingMother says I may go to the mall with you.

“dead body”

This is an example of redundancy when referring to a corpse. The police found a dead body.Other redundancies: end resultmost perfect climbing higher most fastest living person dead people breathing in and out

“fun”

This word exemplifies a vague and overused adjective. Replace such words with a synonym:enjoyable pleasurable exciting rewarding thrilling relaxing comforting interesting amusing entertaining gratifying delightful

“good” – “well”

“good” = an adjectiveI read a good book about travel over the weekend.

“well” = an adverbSara did very well on all of her final exams.

“hardly”

“hardly” = is a negative I can hardly see the road through the fog.“can’t hardly” = is a double negative which makes it a positive.“I can’t hardly see the road” means you can see the road.

“imply’ – “infer”

“imply” = to suggest, hint. (speaker) The teacher implied that we would find the test quite challenging.“infer” = to draw a conclusion correctly or incorrectly. (listener)From the tone of her voice I inferred that she was angry.

“just”

“just” = use only in reference to trust or honor.

The verdict was just. (correct)

It was just another boring day. (incorrect)

“kind of”

“kind of” = use when indicating a type (do not use “a” after)A robin is a kind of bird. (correct)I was kind of sad yesterday. (incorrect)I was somewhat sad yesterday. (correct)

“leave” = “let”

“leave” = to move away from or exitI am going to leave you now.

“let” = to allow or permitWill you please let me work this problem by myself?

“may of” – “might of”

Incorrect forms of “may have” & “might have”I may of lost my wallet. (incorrect)I may have lost my wallet. (correct)

I might of seen her. (incorrect)I might have seen her. (correct)

“not”

Use a single word instead of “not whenever possible.He was not happy with his grade. He was unhappy with his grade. (better)It was not possible to do. It was impossible to do. (better)

“of”

This word is overused.

One of the students missed the test.One student missed the test. (better)The boy fell off of the horse.The boy fell off the horse. (better)

“pretty”

Do not use as an adverb only as an adjective meaning attractive.The meal was pretty good. (incorrect)The meal was rather good. (correct)The young model was pretty. (correct)

“quite”Often misused as the modifier “really”, avoid this word unless you intend its meaning, “completely or entirely.”He is quite smart. (incorrect) He is rather smart. (better)Your answers were quite right! (entirely)

“real” – “really”

“real” = an adjectiveThat statue looked real to me.“really” = an adverbIt was real cold outside last night. (incorrect)It was really cold outside last night. (correct)

“said” – “stated”

“said” = words that are spoken“stated” = words that are written

The letter stated that my friend would like to visit in August if my mother said it was convenient.

“there is” – “there are”Avoid using both to begin sentences. Rewrite if at all possible.There is nothing else for you to do. You have nothing else to do. (better)There are several solutions to your problem.Your problem has several solutions. (better)

“unique”

“unique” = having no like or equal; an adjective that cannot be more or less so it does not take a modifier.

That is a very unique dress. (incorrect)That dress is unique. (correct)

“visit with”

This is redundant, so use “visit” alone.

I will visit with you tomorrow.I will visit you tomorrow. (better)

“where” – “that”“where” = an adverb referring to position or place.“that” = a relative pronoun that begins a subordinate clause.I heard where the school will close early. (incorrect)I heard that the school will close early. (correct)

“your” – “you’re”

“your” = a possessive pronoun“you’re” = contraction for you are

Is that your book on the desk?Did you say you’re going to the party?

Thesaurus

Use a Thesaurus to help you find Synonyms and antonyms for words.

http://thesaurus.com/

A Short Lesson in Word Usage

http://quietube2.com/v.php/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCH3ciUK_X8&feature=relmfu

Word Usage Reference

A complete list of words and phrases often misused.

http://www.tameri.com/edit/usage_nz.html#sources

Some Word Humor

http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~tjw/humor/Anguished_English.txt

Narrative Essay Assignment

Frederick Douglas employed interesting ways to help him learn. Referencing his techniques for self-education, create a narrative on how you learned to do something in an interesting way.12 LA 11 Write Frederick Douglass

Narrative Essay Assignment

If you have trouble recalling something that you did, think of observations you have made of others and what they did or stories you have heard about how others employed unusual methods to learn something.

Step #5 = Edit

Make sure you have:Introductory Paragraph:What you wanted to learn and why?Body Paragraphs:Methods you used to learn. Concluding Paragraph:The results of your efforts.

Writing Rubric

Does the student:

use the five paragraph essay format? (15 pts.)follow the narrative structure?(15 pts.)allude to Frederic Douglass? (20 pts.)

Writing Rubric

employ correct word usage? (10 pts.)create a variety of sentences? (15 pts.)use proper grammar mechanics? (10 pts.)punctuate & spell correctly? (15 pts.)

Content Rubric

Does the student:

give three good examples? (25 pts.)support these examples? (25 pts.)tell an interesting story? (25 pts.)successfully illustrate the lesson of the narrative? (25 pts.)

Editing the Essay

Spelling

Capitalization

Sentence Structure

Fragments

Comma Splices

Run-on

Punctuation

End marks

Commas

Semicolons

Colons

Quotation Marks

Italics

Subject-Verb AgreementVerb TenseActive VerbsPronoun-antecedent AgreementPronoun ReferenceDangling ModifiersMisplaced Modifiers

Edited Draft

#14 Edited Narrative Essay

Editing FormatCentered TitleEndorse properlySize 12 Font Arial or Times New RomanBlack Ink1” margin all aroundDouble-space entire paper

Last Name + Page # right corner all pagesIndent all paragraphsDo not use 2nd person pronoun (you)No abbreviations or symbolsNo contractionsSpell out numbers one – tenPunctuate quotes correctly

Diaz 1

Juan Carlos Diaz

Mr. Rinka

English 1

June 1, 2012

Stress: Modern Life’s Silent Killer

Dr. Mason deals with the causes and effects of stress every day and states, “Stress is the single most deadly factor in the lives of modern

Americans” (Mason Interview). Stress is the physical, emotional and

psychological reaction to many factor in a person’s life. Stress

disrupts all aspects of a person’s life, sleeping, eating, exercising,

relaxing interacting and simply enjoying life. Stress can directly or

indirectly cause many diseases from heart attacks and strokes to

diabetes and depression (Stevens 5). For people who wants to

understand this silent killer they need to know what causes stress,

Diaz 1

Juan Carlos Diaz

Mr. Rinka

English 1

June 1, 2012

Stress: Modern Life’s Silent Killer

Dr. Mason deals with the causes and effects of stress every day and states, “Stress is the single most deadly factor in the lives of modern

Americans” (Mason Interview). Stress is the physical, emotional and

psychological reaction to many factor in a person’s life. Stress

disrupts all aspects of a person’s life, sleeping, eating, exercising,

relaxing interacting and simply enjoying life. Stress can directly or

indirectly cause many diseases from heart attacks and strokes to

diabetes and depression (Stevens 5). For people who wants to

understand this silent killer they need to know what causes stress,

Last name & Page#

Endorsement

Arial or Times New Roman font/size 12

Double-space Center the title

1” Margin

Step 6 = Final Draft/Publication

#14 Final Narrative Essay

English 11 Writing/CommunicationMr. Rinka Lesson #14

Narrative Essay (cont.) Word Usage