Seven Deadly Sins of Writing

1. Rhetorical Questions Rhetorical questions are vocal tools for speech writing. Without the proper inflection by the author, rhetorical questions can be misinterpreted.

Students tend to over use rhetorical questions for: Question and answer style paragraphs Transitions to tie one topic to the next Witty conclusions or introductions

Replace Rhetorical questions with direct statements. Definitive statements are clear, direct, and more effective than a rhetorical question.

Example Rhetorical question: Wouldn’t education be more effective with a class engaged in conversation? Direct statement: However, education is more effective when a class is engaged in conversation.

2. Conversational language Much like rhetorical questions, conversational language hurts your credibility and makes your paper sound informal.

Also, conversational language relies on verbal inflections by the author to understand the full intention. It also requires an understanding of your generational and regional dialect.

Example Avoid introductory clauses that start with “So” “Well” “Anyhow” Conversational language can be easily corrected by removing phrases that are slang which also include CONTRACTIONS.

Another good technique to use when correcting and identifying conversational language is having a second person read your paper aloud. When your reviewer is struggling with a sentence, that is a good indication that there is a problem with the phrasing, possibly due to conversational language. Because a reader will have trouble reading a statement made unclear by the author’s conversational intent.

3. Wordy sentences Do not try to increase your word count by adding a couple of “had been having” type of phrases. “because of the fact that”

Make sure you are using the best wording for your sentences. Do not be afraid of direct, strong, and concise sentences. Being clear and understood is always best.

4. Misuse of Semi-Colon A semi-colon should not be used as a comma. It is a special type of comma. It is not used for simple lists or connecting sentences that have a conjunction.

Semi-Colon Rule Semi- Colon or ; should be used to connect two complete sentences together without a conjunction in order to complete a thought. Example: Roderiguez believes that he has disconnected with his family through his academic progress; he sees this new barrier in his inability to discuss his daily academic life.

Semi-colons in lists Semi-colons are used when separating items in complex lists. For example: I have visited Atlanta, Georgia; Frankfort, Kentucky; Tucson, Arizona; and Miami, Florida.

5. Inappropriate Comma Use Commas should normally not separate the noun phrase and verb, unless there is a dependent clause between the two parts. For example: In the Freire article, the banking system, is a negative way of educating students by pouring the educator’s opinions in the students’ minds.

In the Freire article, the banking system is a negative way of educating students by pouring the educator’s opinions in the students’ minds. “In the Freire article” is separate because it is an introductory dependent clause, an fragmented phrase that requires a connection to a sentence. “the banking system” is the noun phrase that must not be separated from the verb “is”.

Comma Rule Use a comma when connecting 2 complete sentences with a conjunction, isolating dependent clauses, and when separating items in a list. Example: I did not agree with Freire, but he made some solid points about the misuse of power in education.

Introductory clauses and word phrases Introductory clauses and phrases must be separated using a comma. Example: However, I really enjoy watching Big Bang Theory. Other examples include phrases like: After, Although, Since It clarifies information before the Noun Phrase.

6. Paraphrased Information Not Cited Not citing information that does not belong to you is a form of plagiarism. Even though paraphrased information is put in your own words, all information that comes from another source must be cited. Borrowed language or phrases must put in direct quotes.

Example Bad- Roderiguez discusses how he was the scholarship boy who longed for teacher validation. Good – Roderiguez discusses how he was the “scholarship boy” who longed for teacher validation (52).

7. Using You Making the reader a part of the narrative is not appropriate for formal essay writing. This is a form of conversational language.

How to use sources Assume your reader is an outsider. Do not write your paper to me, the teacher. You need to thoroughly explain the source, introduce the material and explain the context of the quote. Follow up the source with information about WHY you used this information, specifically how the information supports your thesis.