1. Descriptive Essay Common Errors 2017
VT=Verb Tense. Don’t switch unless there’s a clear reason to do so!
Frag=fragment
WW=wrong word
Review comma rules, especially the difference between commas and semicolons.
Numbers:
Write out numbers that can be written in one or two words
ALWAYS write out numbers that begin a sentence
Don’t address the reader: “When you work hard, you will be successful.
When vs. Where
Although vs. However
I vs. Me
Oxford comma
Because vs. Due to the fact that…

2. Commas
Remember, commas separate independent clauses from dependent clauses.
Commas are used before coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when they join two independent clauses.
Because I love chocolate, I eat it every day.
I eat chocolate and Chick fil A biscuits every day.
I eat chocolate every day, and I also eat Chick fil A biscuits every day.
Semicolons join two independent clauses that are related.
I love chocolate; I eat it every day.
I eat chocolate every day; they are wonderful and way better than Bojangles’ biscuits.

3. Commas, cont’d
 *Don’t use a comma before coordinating conjunctions in compound verbs or subjects. Remember, only use a comma before coordinating conjunctions when they join independent clauses.
Examples: Mara cleared the table and did the dishes. (compound verb: no comma)
Mara cleared the table, and Roland did the dishes. (comma before coordinating conjunction because they are joining independent clauses)
Mara and Roland did the dishes. (no comma because it’s a compound subject)

4. More Commas Nonessential Clauses and Phrases
Use commas to set off nonessential subordinate clauses and phrases.
Remember, a subordinate (or dependent) clause cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.
A nonessential clause or phrase adds information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence.
Examples:
Eileen Murray, who is at the top of her class, wants to go to medical school.
Texas, which has the most farms of any state in this country, produces one fourth of our oil.
Tim Ricardo, hoping to make the swim team, practiced every day.
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, has been translated into many languages.
Omitting each nonessential clause or phrase in the examples above does not change the main idea of the sentence.
If it’s nonessential, it needs commas.
If it’s nonessential, it’s crying little comma tears.

5. Commas Forever Essential Clauses and Phrases
When a clause or phrase is essential (it specifies which one), commas are not used.
Examples:
All students whose names are on that list must report to Ms. Washington this afternoon.
A Ming vase displayed in the museum was once owned by Chiang Kai-Shek.
*Notice how, without the clause or phrase, the meaning of the sentence changes.

6. …and now these commas: Interrupters
Use two commas (one before and one after) to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
Examples: His guitar, according to him, once belonged to
Dave Matthews.
Mr. Gonzales, my civics teacher, encouraged me to enter my essay in the contest.
*Sometimes, an “interrupter” comes at the beginning or the end of a sentence. In such cases, only one comma is needed.
Examples: Nevertheless, you must go with me.
I need the money, Josh.

7. Last page of commas!
Nonessential appositives and nonessential appositive phrases should be set off with commas.
*Remember, an appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.
*An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and any modifiers it has.
A nonessential appositive or appositive phrase provides information that is unnecessary to the basic meaning of the sentence.
Examples: Their new parrot, Mina, is very gentle.
Elizabeth Pena, my favorite actress, stars in the
movie I rented.

8. This is the REAL last page of commas:
*An essential appositive or appositive phrase adds information that makes the noun or pronoun it identifies more specific. Essential appositives or appositive phrases do not get commas. Examples: My friend Tamisha lost her wallet. He recited the second stanza of “Childhood” by the poet Margaret Walker. We art club members made the decorations. Essential phases do not feel sad because they are important, so they are not crying comma tears.

9. When vs. Where
When indicates a point in time. Where indicates a place. Do not use these unless that’s what you mean.
Incorrect: I was at a time in my life where I wanted to make a change.
Correct: I was at a place in my life where I wanted to make a change.
Correct: I was fifteen when I decided to make a change.
Incorrect: She explained it to where I would understand it.
Correct: She explained it so that I would understand it.

10. Although vs. However These are NOT interchangeable!
However is a conjunctive adverb that indicates the introduction of an idea that contrasts the idea that came before it. It modifies an independent clause and can begin a sentence with no dependent clause following it.
Although is a subordinating conjunction that establishes a contrasting idea. It makes a clause dependent, so it must be attached to an independent clause.
Incorrect: I want to eat Chick fil A biscuits every day. Although, I know it is not good for me.
Correct: I want to eat Chick fil A biscuits every day, although I know it is not good for me.
Correct: I want to eat Chick fil A biscuits every day. However, I know it is not good for me.
Correct: Although I know it is not good for me, I want to eat Chick fil A biscuits every day.

11. I vs. Me
I is a subject that does an action. If you’re doing something in a sentence, use I.
Me is an object that receives an action. If something is being done to you in a sentence, if you are receiving the action, use me.
Example: Tommy and I are going to the store (I is doing something: going to the store).
Example: Tommy and I yelled at Sarah (I is doing something: yelling).
Example: Sarah yelled at Tommy and me (me is receiving the action: being yelled at).
Example: Mrs. McClain handed the papers to Tommy and me (me is receiving the action: getting papers).
If you’re still confused, take out the other person, and it should be clearer.
I am going to the store (not Me am going to the store).
Sarah yelled at me (not Sarah yelled at I).
Mrs. McClain handed the papers to me (not to I).

12. Oxford Comma
This is the last comma in a list. Using it is typically a stylistic choice (and not usually used in journalism or science writing), but in my class you are required to use it.
As a rule, you should have one fewer commas than you have items in the list.
Example: I like dogs, cats, and fish (three items, two commas).
Example: I take English, history, math, and French (four items, three commas).
It also eliminates certain instances of confusion.
Amanda found herself in the Winnebago with her ex-boyfriend, an herbalist and a pet detective.
Amanda found herself in the Winnebago with her ex-boyfriend, an herbalist, and a pet detective.

13. Colons vs. Semicolons
Use colons when you introduce something and then immediately say the thing you just introduced with no additional introduction, often (but not always) as an independent clause.
There is one thing I dislike about teaching: getting up early.
My mother gave me the best advice ever: work hard.
There were three people at lunch: Samantha, Tom, and Len.
Do not confuse this with semicolons, which join two independent clauses.
There were three people at lunch; those people were Samantha, Tom, and Len.
My mother gave me the best advice ever; she said to work hard.

14. When one word will do, don’t use two.
Use because instead of due to the fact that.
Wordy and pretentious: I failed due to the fact that I forgot to study.
Cleaner: I failed because I forgot to study.

15. Practice: correct the following sentences.
I never liked Bojangles so I always ate at Chick fil A.
I never liked Bojangles I always ate at Chick fil A.
I was old enough to where I could ride a bike.
Frodo is a good dog. Although, he is naughty sometimes.
Sally spoke to Sam and I.
I saw the chickens, Mrs. McClain and Mr. Bargeloh.
I have two favorite teachers; Mrs. McClain and Mr. Bargeloh.
I hate wordy sentences due to the fact that they often seem pretentious.

16. Revision Opportunity Due: Tues. Thurs. 10.26 or Mon. 10.30 11:59 PM
Worth: an additional FIVE points on your narrative grade.
Find FIVE errors DISCUSSED IN THIS POWERPOINT in your essay. Highlight them on the graded essay in Google.
Copy and paste each error onto a new Google document, and beneath each error, write the sentence correctly.
Save the Google Doc as A2 Lastname, Firstname Description Corrections
Share the correction sheet with me at
Revisions not submitted in exactly this format will not be accepted.
This assignment is not for you if you don’t have FIVE errors DISCUSSED IN THIS POWERPOINT. There will be other opportunities for revision of other areas with other assignments.