Welcome to Seminar 2: Writing Styles We will begin on time. Meanwhile, enjoy chatting!

It’s SHOW TIME !!!!!!! Welcome to Seminar 2: Writing Styles! How is everyone today?

Choosing a Topic for Your Research Paper The paper you are going to write will be ONLY 4- 6pages long. Many of you may be thinking, “ONLY???????” However, even though it may seem like a long paper, it is not the length of a book. Since you will not be writing a book, you will need to limit your topic somewhat. For instance, it would be difficult to discuss the meaning of life in great depth in only 9-12 pages. Therefore, look for significant topics that you feel that you can fully analyze within the page framework provided. You don’t want something too big, nor do you want a topic that is too limited and without sufficient research information.

Choosing a Topic One of the ways you can think about topics is to watch the TV news or read the newspaper. Topics of current interest can be found in the news. There is no point in choosing a topic that is old and no longer of interest, nor is there any point in choosing a topic that has been over exposed and “beaten to death,” such as whether marijuana should be legalized. Unless you have something new to say about that topic (such as jury nullification and marijuana), skip it and choose something more current. Also, do not write about abortion. While it is a current topic, it is too emotional for most people.

AUDIENCE AND CONTEXT Everything is written to someone for some purpose. Knowing your audience and what you are try to accomplish is important if you wish to write well. Ask yourself: Why am I writing this? Who is my reader? What am I trying to say? The you send to your sister should be written differently than a proposal you send to a business client.

What is Standard American English?

Standard American English Standard American English is the common language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation used in the United States. It is the type of speech and writing that is expected in higher education and the workplace. What are the benefits to learning Standard American English?

Using Standard American English When you use Standard American English, people can understand you no matter what part of the county they come from. Also, using Standard American English presents you as being an educated person. Using Standard American English shows respect for the reader and a desire to be someone the reader can relate to.

When should you use Standard American English?

Practice!!!!! You should use Standard American English most of the time if not all the time. You want to get into the habit of using it. When speaking or writing to your friends or family, you are free to use dialect, slang, or any type of English (or other language) that you desire. However, in the "real world," the world of work, school, and careers, there are different expectations.

Formal vs. Informal Writing Some people have fallen into bad habits because of . Here's an example of the type of that I often receive: –im not sure how to double space can u help me with this thanks. This type of is inappropriate in a school or business setting. Do not send s like that. Do not post in the discussions like that. Get in the habit of using Standard American English in your communications. This includes capital letters, spelling out words, and punctuation. Practicing this will help you to succeed in life.

What is the writing process?

Writing is a six step process. 1) PREWRITING helps you to generate ideas and begin writing. There are a number of techniques for prewriting, such as free writing, brainstorming, clustering, etc. 2) ORGANIZING means that you take the ideas from your prewriting and put those ideas into some type of order, such as an outline. If you do not arrange your ideas in some sort of logical manner, your writing may lack organization and be difficult for your reader to follow.

The Writing Process Steps 3 & 4 3) DRAFTING is putting your words down on paper or the computer screen. When writing your draft, just write. Do not worry about correcting your spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Do not be concerned if your words and sentences are not exactly how your want them to be. You’ll get a chance to make changes later. 4) COOLING: After you have completed your draft, walk away from it for a while. Overnight is best, but even 5-10 minutes will help. When you come back, reread your essay. It will look different to you then.

The Writing Process Steps 5 & 6 5) REVISING means rereading and rewriting what you have written. You will need to revise everything you write, at least for this class. You will need to learn to always revise what you write. We'll be talking more about revising in Unit 9. 6) EDITING means checking for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization errors. Do not begin editing until you are satisfied that your project says what you want it to say. Use spell and grammar check but make the final decision to change something yourself. Check that you have followed proper APA format. We'll also be talking more about editing in Unit 9.

What (if anything) is wrong with this paragraph? Owning a boat starts out by being the first happiest day of your life. At first, having a boat is great. You can get to places that other people can’t. Then you realize how much work it is. I had trouble learning how to get my boat out of the dock without hitting my neighbor’s boat like I did the first time. Then when you get back, you have to get it back into the dock. That doesn’t include the time cleaning it and maintaining it. After Hurricane Charlie hit, and we used the boat only twice in nine months, we decided to sell. The second happiest day of a boater’s life is when you sell your boat.

Inconsistent Point of View Owning a boat starts out by being the first happiest day of your life. At first, having a boat is great. You can get to places that other people can’t. Then you realize how much work it is. I had trouble learning how to get my boat out of the dock without hitting my neighbor’s boat like I did the first time. Then when you get back, you have to get it back into the dock. That doesn’t include the time cleaning it and maintaining it. After a while, we noticed that we weren’t using the boat much, so we decided to sell. The second happiest day of a boater’s life is when you sell your boat. 1. The topic is “Owning a boat.” The entire paragraph should discuss “owning a boat.” 2. Owning a boat = “it” [It starts out by being the first happiest day.] (3rd person singular) = point of view for paragraph 3. you (2nd person) It’s not about “you.” It’s about “owning a boat.” 4. “I, we” – If this is a personal example, it should all be in the first person

Common Writing Errors: Point of View Maintaining a consistent point of view means that you establish the person (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person) in the first sentence of your paragraph and then continue to use that same person throughout the paragraph unless there is a logical reason to change.

Consistent 3rd Person Point of View Owning a boat starts out by being the first happiest day of a boater’s life. At first, having a boat is great. Boaters can get to places that other people can’t. Then boat owners discover how much work owning a boat really is. Many have trouble learning how to get their boats out of the dock without hitting their neighbor’s boat. Some actually hit their neighbor’s boat the first time they take their boats out. Then after a fun day on the water, the boat owner has to get the boat back into the dock. Much time is spent cleaning the boat and maintaining it, sometimes more time than actually sailing it. After a while, many boat owners find that they are not using their boats as often as they had thought they would, so they decide to sell. The second happiest day of a boater’s life is when he or she sells the boat.

Consistent 1st Person Point of View The first happiest day of my life was owning a boat. At first, having a boat is great. I could get to places that other people couldn’t. Then I discover how much work owning a boat really is. I had trouble learning how to get my boat out of the dock without hitting my neighbor’s boat. I actually hit my neighbor’s boat the first time I took my boat out. Then after a fun day on the water, I had to get the boat back into the dock. I also found that I spent a lot of time cleaning the boat and maintaining the boat, sometimes more time than actually sailing it. After a while, I found that I was not using my boat as often as I had thought I would, so I decided to sell it. The second happiest day of my life was when I sold the boat. Now it’s all about MY experiences.

Can anyone figure out how to make two completely opposite letters out of this paragraph by using only punctuation? DEAR JOHN I WANT A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT YOU ARE GENEROUS KIND THOUGHFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LIKE YOU ADMIT TO BEING USELESS AND INFERIOR YOU HAVE RUINED ME FOR OTHER MEN I YEARN FOR YOU I HAVE NO FEELINGS WHATSOEVER WHEN WE’RE APART I CAN BE FOREVER HAPPY WILL YOU LET ME BE YOURS SUSAN

Why We Need Punctuation Dear John, I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy. Will you let me be yours? Susan Dear John, I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Susan

Which are the correct answers? Each of the students (have, has) (their, his or her) own locker.

The Correct Answers Each of the students HAS HIS OR HER own locker.

Common Writing Errors: Subject/Verb Agreement & Pronoun/Referent Agreement Subject must “agree” or match their verbs in number (how many are we talking about?). Pronouns must also match the words that they refer to. Again, how many are we talking about?

Common Writing Errors: Pronoun Agreement The word to which a pronoun refers is called its antecedent. The pronoun must match or agree with its antecedent in number. Number simply means singular or plural. The boy played with his bike.  “His” refers to “boy.” Both “boy” and “his” are singular, so they agree in number. The boys played with their bikes.  “Their” refers to “boys.” Both are plural, so they agree.

Common Problems with Pronoun Agreement 1. Singular Indefinite Pronouns are always singular.  Anothereverybodynobody  Anybodyeveryonenothing  Anyoneeverythingsomebody  Each someone one Incorrect: Each of the students has their own locker.  Each (one) = 1 person  Their = 2 or more people Correct: Each of the student has his or her own locker.  Each (one) = 1 person  His or her = 1 person

Pronoun Agreement (continued) 2. Singular noun – plural pronoun Incorrect: If a person wants to graduate from college, they must have good study habits.  A person = 1 person  They = 2 or more people Correct: If a person wants to graduate from college, he or she must have good study habits. Correct: If students want to graduate from college, they must have good study habits.

Semicolons ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; A semicolon can be used where a period can be used.  The dog barked. The mailman ran.  The dog barked ; the mailman ran. Error: A comma can not be used where a period can be used.  Comma Splice (error): The dog barked, the mailman ran.

Comma Rules,,,, Introductory Elements Use a comma after introductory words & transitional expressions  Yes, that’s a good idea.  First, get out your paper.  Next, take notes. Transitional Words: Consequently, in fact, nevertheless, moreover, in addition, etc.  I studied for the test; in fact, I studied all week.

Comma Rules: Use a comma after introductory phrases. Introductory prepositional phrases: P O After a very big dinner, dad always falls asleep. Introductory infinitive and participial phrases: Covered with mud, the little boy ran into the house. Crying loudly, the little boy ran to his mother. To help clean the house, the little boy poured water on the floor.

Comma Rules: Use a comma after introductory clauses. Introductory subordinate clause (Begins with a subordinator) Rules: S, M [subordinate clause, main clause]  After I finished my homework, I called my friend. MS [main clause subordinate clause]  I called my friend after I finished my homework.

Comma Rules: Compound Sentences The dog barked. The cat ran. Comma + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)  Note1: The comma goes BEFORE the “FANBOYS.”  Note2: You must have two separate subject and verbs. S V, FANBOYS SV  The dog barked, so the cat ran.  The dog ran after the cat, but he couldn’t catch her.  The dog ran around the house looking for the cat, and then he ran around the house again.  The dog was confused, for (because) he could not find the cat.  The dog was tired, yet he still continued his search.  The dog could not find the cat, nor could he find his bone.

Sentence Errors: Run-On Sentences Rule: You can not join two sentences without any punctuation. Raoul drove by his uncle’s house. He waved at his cousins. Run-on (error): Raoul drove by his uncle’s house he waved at his cousins. [no punctuation between] Corrections: Raoul drove by his uncle’s house. He waved at his cousins. Raoul drove by his uncle’s house; he waved at his cousins. Raoul drove by his uncle’s house; in addition, he waved at his cousins. Raoul drove by his uncle’s house, and he waved at his cousins. When Raoul drove by his uncle’s house, he waved at his cousins. Rauol waved at his cousin as he drove by his uncle’s house.

Sentence Errors: Comma Splices Rule: You can not join two sentences with a comma. I wanted a dog for Christmas. My parents gave me a cat. Do not use a comma where you could use a period. Comma splice (error): I wanted a dog for Christmas, my parents gave me a cat. Corrections: I wanted a dog for Christmas. My parents gave me a cat. I wanted a dog for Christmas; my parents gave me a cat. I wanted a dog for Christmas, but my parents gave me a cat. I wanted a dog for Christmas; however, my parents gave me a cat. Even though I wanted a dog for Christmas, my parents gave me a cat.

Seminar Discussion Class, please answer these questions: 1.) What are some of the differences between formal and informal writing? 2.) What makes a good persuasive paper topic? 3.) How can research support our ideas and what constitutes reliable information?

That’s It! Thanks, all, for a great seminar. Have a great week, and please let me know if you have any questions.