Common Errors Common Errors Things to think about when writing/editing

Paragraphs –Why do we need paragraphs? Each paragraph should center around ONE main idea Include a topic sentence Have DETAILS/EXAMPLES that support the main idea Makes it easier for the reader to follow your thoughts

Tenses –Present tense Timmy plays baseball during his off-hour. He finds that it is a relaxing, yet competitive, way to spend his free time. –Past tense Timmy played baseball at lunch. He pitched a no-hitter, and scored over 15 points. –Future tense Timmy is going to join a professional baseball league upon graduation. He will be the starting pitcher for wherever he ends up.

Tense –What is wrong here? Timmy plays baseball at lunch. He hit the ball across the cafeteria, and the lunch lady yells at him when she got hit in the head. ~~How do you decide which tense to use? PICK A TENSE AND STICK WITH IT!

Diction: Choice and use of words in speech or writing –What is wrong with the following story? Their once was a beautiful princess who fell in love with Spencer. Spencer, who loved all beautiful women, fell in love with her to. They got married, witch was her greatest wish. She wanted to live happily ever after with him and there future children. After being married for too years, the princess realized that Spencer was kind of lazy—he never helped around the house, and he expected her to always make there meals. She got on her hoarse, and rode away to find her real true love—Sol.

BUT I USED SPELL CHECK!!!!!!!!!!!

Complete Sentences A complete sentence, or an independent clause, is able to stand alone. It has a subject and a verb Examples: –Greg plays basketball everyday. –Aldo and Michael went to Big City Burrito. –The surfer’s arm was ripped from her body by the gigantic shark.

Sentence Fragments This can also be called a “Dependent Clause” –A sentence fragment, or ‘dependent clause’ cannot stand on it’s own. It’s an incomplete thought. –EXAMPLES: Although Greg plays basketball Since Aldo and Michael Ripped her arm from her body

Commas What does the independent clause (IC) and dependent clause (DC) have to do with COMMAS?? –You can connect an IC with a DC by using a comma (if the DC is FIRST) Although Greg plays basketball everyday, he always finishes his homework on time. Since Aldo and Michael loved World Lit and Comp, they never missed a day of class.

Commas BUT…. If you connect an IC with another IC using a comma…. YOU GET A COMMA SPLICE!!! –Example Greg plays basketball, he always finishes his homework on time.

How to correct a comma splice Divide into two separate sentences. –Greg plays basketball. He always finishes his homework on time. Use a semi-colon (;) (This is a ‘super powered’ comma) –Greg plays basketball; he always finishes his homework on time. OR—USE A FANBOY!!!!

FANBOYS! FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So –You can connect two independent clauses using a FANBOY and a comma. –Example: –Greg plays basketball, but he always finishes his homework on time. –Greg plays basketball, and he always finishes his homework on time. YOU MUST HAVE BOTH THE FANBOY AND THE COMMA!

Run-on Sentences The easiest way to identify a run-on sentence is to read it out loud! A run-on sentence goes on and on and on and on and on and on…… Example: –Greg plays basketball everyday after school because that’s when practice is and that’s when the coach wants him to be there and he never wants to miss because he knows that if he is not there the coach won’t let him play in the next game but he really wants to play every game.

To fix a run-on sentence Break into separate sentences! Use FANBOYS in some areas. Use semi-colons in some areas. Re-read it out loud to see if it sounds better!

Plural vs. Possessive Make sure that you only use the apostrophe when it is POSESSIVE. –Joel’s backpack. –Kaila’s book. –Teens’ problems. –NOT: the dogs ran in the park.

“You” In a formal paper—AVOID USING ‘YOU’ Do not talk directly to your reader. Find a way to remove all instances of ‘you’ Example: –Instead of ‘you should not use drugs.’ –TEENS should not use drugs or PEOPLE should not use drugs.

Writing for your Audience Please remember who you are writing for… the way you write should change based on your AUDIENCE. –Would you write a formal paper the same as you would write a quick note to your best friend?? –Think about the WORDS you use! Avoid slang, text message shorthand, and bad language.

Other tips! It is a good idea to read your work out loud to yourself or a friend. This way you can HEAR errors you might have made that you otherwise would miss. Think about these types of errors as you write—avoid making them in the first place!