Basics rules of writing well… Turn to page 11 of your writing handbook, review the basic rules of writing and complete the activity. Be prepared to discuss your responses.

RULE Practice Sentence Don't use no double negatives. I don’t have no money. Make each pronoun agree with their antecedents. (pg #) Everyone needs to buy their own ticket. Do not split two complete sentences with a comma, it’s called a comma splice. I love my mother, she has always been there for me. About them sentence fragments. On the way to the park. When dangling, watch your participles. While walking to the park, the bus hit the kitten. Verbs has got to agree with their subjects. (pg #) She really need to get a new car. I don’t have any money. Every one needs to buy his or her own ticket. I love my mother. She has always been there for me. On the way to the park I saw a gorilla. The bus hit the kitten while walking to the park. She really needs to get a new car.

Don't write run-on sentences they are hard to read. I never listen to the teacher that is why I always fail the tests I know I should listen but I don’t. Don't use commas, which aren't necessary. Let’s meet at the gas station, that is on the corner of 3 rd and Elm. Try to not ever split infinitives I really want to just sit down and relax. Its important to use your apostrophe's correctly. Venus Williams has won 4 Wimbledon’s. Proofread your writing to see if you any words out. That is such a grate essay! I am so glad I proofread it before aI turned it in. Avoid cliches like the plague. I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. I always fail the test because I never listen to the teach even though I should. Let’s meet at the gas station on the corner of 3 rd and Elm. I really want just to sit down and relax. Venus Williams has won 4 Wimbledons. That is such a great essay! I’m so glad I proofread it before I turned it in! I have always followed my own path.

Correct speling is essential. I didn’t look over my essay before I turned it in, and I am probly going to get a bad grade. Eschew ostentatious erudition. (pg. #) The circumstances of the calamity that has befallen me have completely intimidated my previous giddiness about this topic. I didn’t look over my essay before I turned it in, and I am probably going to get a bad grade. This calamity has ruined my excitement.

Word Labyrinths Revealed: Reducing Wordiness

What is wordiness? FLUFFFLOWERYEXCESSIVELONGSentences≠“SMARTER”

“SMARTER” writing is… Clear To the Point Concise

How do I reduce wordiness? Many ways including… –Making subjects and verbs stronger and agreeable. –Changing passive to active voice. –Omitting filler phrases –Combine sentences –Use proper punctuation –Use proper parallelism

Review: Writing Handbook Page Linking verb –Passive –Connect the subject of the verb to additional information about the subject (see pg. 11) Helping verb –Passive –help the main verb in a sentence by extending the meaning of the verb Action verb –Active! –Show that the subject is doing something, not just existing.

Action verbs SHOW rather than TELL. The man is a monster. Does this show or tell? –Not very vivid…in fact it’s dull. –So…change it to action to show he is a monster. The man ripped off the sheep’s head and ate the eyeballs with a sickening squishy crunch.

The Holy Matrimony of Verbs & Subjects Strongest verbs SHOW rather than_______. Subjects are _____ and ________ that PERFORM the action of the verb

Active Voice = A+ Active voice: When the subject performs the action Passive voice: When the action is performed on the subject. In other words, you’ve made the object into the subject. –Weak: The truck was loaded with crates of bananas by the workers. –Better: The workers loaded the truck with crates of bananas.

Passive voice is NOT Grammatically incorrect! It’s a style issue. Active voice makes the writing more concise and thus more enjoyable for the reader.

Subject (Noun/Pronoun) & Verb Agreement A SUBJECT is either ________ (one) or ______ (many) The VERB must always AGREE (change form to match) with the SUBJECT SINGLE subject = ________ verb; PLURAL subject = ________ verb

Avoid these phrases when possible! Common Filler Phrases It isThere isThere areThisThis means that This is impt. b/cThatWhich Given the fact thatWouldCouldShould It seems thatPrepositions like of, by, from Intensifiers: very, extremely,

Combining sentences Use a colon for explanatory sentences rather than introducing it a second time in a second sentence Combine closely related short sentences with semi-colons or conjunctions WordyConcise The theater has three main technical areas. These areas are costumes, scenery, and lighting. The theater has three main technical areas: costumes, scenery, and lighting. The director is concerned about problems. Typical problems may occur with lighting, sound, and props. The director is concerned about typical problems with lighting, sound, and props.

Remember when combining to have correct parallel structure… Turn to page 22 of your writing handbook

Correct Parallelism 1.Our forty second president, William Jefferson Clinton, is a complex man who demonstrates great authority and is organized as a leader, but his disrespect for the feminine population and being arrogant are unorthodox qualities at best and personal vices at worst. arrogance

Corrected Our forty second president, William Jefferson Clinton, is a complex man who demonstrates great authority and is organized as a leader, but his disrespect for the feminine population and arrogance are unorthodox qualities at best and personal vices at worst.

Page 20 of your Writing Handbook 1.The first person that I met at the party was Cindy. Cindy was a blonde who had bright green eyes. Combine sentences… Ask yourself what has been repeated here? How can I take out unnecessary words and phrases? Is it an active or passive sentence? If it is passive, can I make it active? ImetCindy, a blonde with bright green eyes, at the party first.

2. The woman who was keeping score made a mistake. Combine sentences… Ask yourself what has been repeated here? How can I take out unnecessary words and phrases? Is it an active or passive sentence? If it is passive, can I make it active? The woman scorekeeper made a mistake. The scorekeeper made a mistake.

Your turn… Finish the rest of page 20. Take your time in reducing the wordiness of each sentence. They are all common mistakes.

Exit Ticket Choose one of the sentences on your worksheet. Write the number at the top of the small paper Write your corrected version Put your name on the exit ticket and turn it in before you leave today.