Error Free Writing Error Free writing is unlikely, but you can definitely minimize the number of errors in your papers

What have we learned? What grammar and usage issues have we discussed this semester? Grammar: the underlying rules of sentence structure (how sentences work) Usage: punctuation, word choice, spelling, using the wrong word, style

Why It Matters “Ethos and Errors: How Business People React to Errors” by Larry Beason, PhD Beason interviewed 14 business leaders to gain insights into how they perceived errors in writing: Writer as a writers: Hasty writer, careless writer, uncaring writing, uniformed writer Writer as a business person: Faulty thinker, not a detail person, poor oral communicator, poorly educated Writer as a representative for the organization: Writers with serious errors are a poor representative of the company and probably won’t be hired

Common Writing Errors Spelling Left out words Fragments Run-on sentences Subject-verb agreement Vague pronouns Uncommon errors (major errors) Verb tense agreement Missing subjects and/or verbs

Know Yourself Finding and correcting errors in your own writing can be difficult. You need to be able to do two things: Identify various kinds of errors in your writing (fragments, run-ons, subject/verb consistency) Be able to fix those errors BUT, they can both be much easier when you know what you are looking for. Everyone will have different error patterns. Always remember to make note of what errors you make frequently. Learn how to correct them. Then, look for those errors when you revise.

Today’s Competency The competency for today is related to grammar and usage: Use appropriate conventions in writing, including consistent voice, tone, diction, grammar, and mechanics se conventions in writing complete sentences, using What patterns have you recognized in your writing this semester? What do you still need to work on?