315: Basic Writing Skills Friday, September 21, 2018

Spelling Rules “i” before “e” except after “c” Double the final consonant The silent “e” What to do with “y”

Forming Plurals Add “s” Add “es” Salmon – salmon “y” words “o” words “f” words Guardians-ad-litem pronouns

Spelling Game Each table will receive five pieces of blank paper. Five sentences will be displayed, each containing a spelling error. Using the Basic Writing Skills Resource Guide, identify and correct the spelling error. The first table to display the correct spelling, wins a point.

Spelling Game: Question #1 When I arrived at the house, Mrs. Thomas seemed to be panicing over some milk that Charlie had spilled.

Spelling Game: Question #2 When faced with a difficult case decision, I always consult one of my collegues.

Spelling Game: Question #3 During my conversation with Mr. Moody, I noticed that his speech was slurred and he slipped in and out of conciousness.

Spelling Game: Question #4 Mrs. Jenkins is a fourty year old, single mother of three, who works part time at the grocery store during the week and at a local bar on the weekends.

Spelling Game: Question #5 It can be difficult to gauge the affect of secondary trauma on child welfare professionals.

“Fix It” Instructions Read assigned sentences Establish the problem and correct the sentence Create a grammar rule, in your own words, explaining the correction of the sentence. Using flipchart paper, present your corrected sentence and grammar rules to the group.

Acronyms/Jargon Do you think everyone knows what SWAN is? Or the CPSL? FSP? PPP? NASW? GPS? Safety Plan? To ensure reader understanding, write out the acronym the first time you use it and put the abbreviation in parenthesis. You can then use the abbreviation throughout the rest of your dictation. If you are using any type of social work jargon, make sure you define the word the first time it is used.

Punctuation Quotation Marks Period Apostrophe Comma Semicolon Hyphens Exclamation Point

Active vs. Passive Voice (subject does the acting) Example: The case aide delivered the reports. Passive (subject is acted upon) Example: The reports were delivered by the case aide.

Active Voice Exceptions When the thing acted upon is more important Example: The hearing was cancelled by Att. Martin. In technical writing, where the results are more important Example: The results of the evaluations were divided into four age groups by our psychologist. When anonymity of the person acting is desired Example: It was reported to CYS that…

Active vs. Passive Sentence Construction Each table will receive two sentence strips. Write one sentence in active voice and one sentence in passive voice Pass your sentence strip to the neighboring table. After you receive your neighbor’s sentences, decide which is active and which is passive. Place on the correct flipchart.

Improving Sentence Style Smooth and graceful Correct and appropriate Complete and mature Clear and exact Concise and natural

Improving Paragraph Construction Keep one idea to one paragraph Transition to new idea = new paragraph To be effective, paragraphs should contain the following: Unity Coherence A topic sentence Adequate development

Proofing Exercise Instructions Each group will be assigned one of the four proofing examples. Groups will have 15 minutes to work on proofing and rewriting their given example. Don’t forget to use the Resource Guide for help. Be prepared to share changes, including why your group made those changes.

Writing Manuals The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. Oxford Guide to Effective Writing and Speaking by John Seely How to Write Clearly and Effectively: A Guide to Everyday Writing in Your Business and Social Life by Frank Howland McCloskey The Essential Writer’s Companion: A Concise Guide to Writing Effectively for School, Home, or Office by Houghton Mifflin Company

Questions? Comments?