Tips for Improving Your Writing Signature School August 2004

Use active voice instead of passive Active: John threw the ball. Passive: The ball was thrown by John.

Keep items in a series parallel Parallel: She enjoys reading, skating, watching television. Not-Parallel: He likes reading, skating, and to watch television.

Avoid run-on sentences ROS-- Bob was always on time his sister was always late. Repaired – Bob was always on time, but his sister was always late. –OR Bob was always on time; his sister was always late. –OR Unlike his sister who was always late, Bob was always on time. –OR Bob was always on time. His sister was always late.

Avoid comma splices C-S – Jane wanted to tell her mother about the accident, her mother was not at home. Repaired – Jane wanted to tell her mother about the accident, but her mother was not at home. –OR Jane wanted to tell her mother about the accident; her mother was not at home.

Watch pronoun agreement Indefinite pronouns –Some are always singular: another, anybody, someone, everyone, each, either... –Some are always plural: Few, both, several, all... –Some can be either: all, any, more, most, none, some

Example Indefinite pronouns must agree in number with their verbs and personal pronouns: –Each of the members has one vote. –One of the girls gave up her seat. –NEVER – One of the girls gave up their seat.

Gender-Sensitive Case If you need to use a personal pronoun to refer to an indefinite pronoun, it must agree with the indefinite pronoun. In Standard English, the possessive pronoun his is usually used. –Is everyone happy with his gift? –NEVER – Is everyone happy with their gift?

Gender-Sensitive Case If you prefer not to use the masculine pronoun, you may use two possessive pronouns: –Is everyone happy with his or her gift? –NEVER – Is everyone happy with their gift? You may also rewrite the sentence to use a plural personal pronoun: –Are all the people happy with their gifts?