When to NOT use commas!

But first….DOL Tony used to win a lot of boxing

matches until he hurts his hand and now he can’t be the most bestest fighter out their. (4 errors)

Ms. Hanks the nice co-teacher with Mr. Dorrell was standing by the back door. (2 errors)

Do not use a single comma between the subject and verb of your sentence. Incorrect: The professor of my Japanese

class, gave a quiz yesterday.

Correct: The professor of my Japanese class gave a quiz yesterday.

Now you try….

The other day I, pushed Mr. Dorrell down in the snow.

Do not use a comma to separate the paired parts in paired compound subjects or compound verbs. Incorrect: She lets me watch her

mom, and pop fight. Correct: She lets me watch her

mom and pop fight. Please fix this one….. They would argue over money, and

scream about his late nights.

Do not use commas to separate a noun and its modifying adjectives

when the adjectives come before the noun. Incorrect: The bright red, car was

a Corvette. Correct: The bright red car was a

Corvette. Now you try….. The strong, tough boy used to go

to this school.

How to Narrow a Research

Topic

How to Narrow a Research Topic

When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions:

Who?What?When?Where?Why?

How to Narrow a Research Topic

Let’s see how this works with an example: eating disorders

This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to make it narrower (more specific).

How to Narrow a Research Topic

Who?TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS

Populations

Age

Gender

Race or Ethnicity

NEW TOPIC:Eating disorders in elderly females

How to Narrow a Research Topic

What?TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS

Types

Anorexia

Bulimia

Compulsive eating

NEW TOPIC:Anorexia in elderly females

How to Narrow a Research Topic

When?TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS

Timeframes

Current or historical view

Period of life

NEW TOPIC:Bulimia in middle-aged females

How to Narrow a Research Topic

Where?TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS

Places

States

Regions

Countries

NEW TOPIC:Anorexia in Australian women

How to Narrow a Research Topic

Why?TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS

Evaluate

Causes

TreatmentsOutcomes

NEW TOPIC:Successful methods for treatment of compulsive eating

How to Narrow a Research Topic

Mix n’ MatchCombine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research.

Some examples:

• Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes

• Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States

• Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950-present.