1. GETTING IT WRITE: How to Write with Impact and Clarity May 17, 2016

7. TODAY’S AGENDA  Introductions  Common Punctuation and Grammar Mistakes and How to Avoid Them  Writing Exercise: Passive vs Active Voice  Online Writing Tool Demo  Katherine’s Editing Tips & Tricks  Review Optional Homework Assignment  Finish by 1:00 pm

8. Common Comma Misconceptions Myth #1: Long sentences need a comma. Myth #2: You should add a comma wherever you pause. Myth # 3: Comma are so mysterious that it’s impossible to figure out where they belong.

9. Comma Rule #1: Introductory Bits Small: Generally, land administrators are respected in the energy industry. Medium: Frankly speaking, I prefer to eat my lunch at the cafeteria rather than at my desk. Large: Until she could properly use commas, she decided to avoid them altogether.

10. While confined here in the Birmingham City Jail I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely.”

11. While confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely.”

12. But more basically I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Moreover I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states.

13. But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states.

14. You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God.

15. Comma Rule #2: Interrupters Aaron thought that he could see the future, not the past, in the wrinkles in his skin. My textbook, which weighs about 100 pounds, has some really great examples. When learning new grammar rules, much like learning a musical instrument, practice is essential.

16. It begins as most things begin with a song. In the beginning after all were the words. It was he knew because his father had given him the nickname.

17. It begins, as most things begin, with a song. In the beginning, after all, were the words. It was, he knew, because his father had given him the nickname.

18. Comma Rule #3: Conjunctions FANBOYS is a tool for remembering the coordinating conjunctions: For And Nor But Or Yet So

19. These words are connectors. They can connect words, phrases and clauses like this: WORDS: I am almost dressed and ready. PHRASES: My keys are in the living room or under the bed. CLAUSES: They aren’t very big, so they will be difficult to find. FANBOYS that join two independent clauses should always be preceded by a comma.

20. An independent clause is a group of words that could stand on its own as a sentence. My hamster loved to play, so I gave him a hula-hoop. My hamster loved to play and often ate marshmallows.

21. It seemed impossible to use grammar correctly when we first started but I’m starting to better understand it. Some of the rules are tough to remember so I review them often.

22. It seemed impossible to use grammar correctly when we first started, but I’m starting to better understand it. Some of the rules are tough to remember, so I review them often.

23. They continued to giggle and told him they were having a good time. My cat Buster has beautiful blue eyes but a destructive personality.

24. Possessive Pronouns Vs. Contractions Do not confuse the contractions ( it’s, who’s, they’re, you’re ) with the possessive pronouns ( its, whose, their, your ).

25. (It’s, Its) about time you started looking for (your, you’re) shoes.

26. It’s about time you started looking for your shoes.

27. (They’re, Their)coming at about nine for (they’re, their) children.

28. They’re coming at about nine for their children.

29. (Whose, Who’s) briefcase will you be using for (your, you’re) papers? (Your, You’re) going to be late, but (whose, who’s) going to be on time?

30. Whose briefcase will you be using for your papers? You’re going to be late, but who’s going to be on time?

31. It’s = “it is” or “it has” Its = possessive form of it (It’s, Its) mouth was sore because (it’s, it) chewing all the time.

32. It’s = “it is” or “it has” Its = possessive form of it Its mouth was sore because it’s chewing all the time.

34. Do “Its or It’s Challenge” – Three minutes

35. Passive vs Active Voice Try to write in the Active Voice most of the time in a business context. Active: CAPLA released the report yesterday. Passive: The report was released yesterday by the CAPLA Board.

36. “Passive voice” sentences often contain:  The word “by”  The phrase “have been” or “will be” The entrance exam was failed by over one-third of the applicants. A mistake was made that resulted in an overcharge to your account that has now been corrected and will be shown on your next statement.

37. Simple rule: Always put the subject of the sentence before the verb! Tip: Find and replace the phrases “by the” or “have been”

38. ANSWERS HERE! Writing Exercise: Passive vs. Active Voice Handout Tip: Find the subject first! Timer: Five minutes

39. Introducing Grammarly www.grammarly.com

40. Weekly Progress Report from Grammarly

41. Katherine’s Editing Tips:  Write everything, even social media posts and especially important emails, in Word.  For 100% accuracy, write and edit at 200%.  Print your document, then read it backwards, one sentence at a time.  Read it out loud to yourself, or a friend. (Ignore curious stares from co-workers.)  Set it aside for a day, then go back to it with fresh eyes.

42. Homework Assignment: Optional!