1. TIPS & TRICKS VOLUME I (ALTERNATE TITLE: STOP DOING THESE THINGS OR MY HEAD WILL EXPLODE!) Writing & Grammar

2. It’s Its “IT” “IS” This is not possessive It is TWO WORDS GLUED TOGETHER It’s going to rain. This shows ownership  (possessive) It CANNOT be broken into two words The cat lost its toy. The use of it’s vs. its

3. Effect Affect Noun “Special effects” The color had a bad effect on her mood. _______ UNLESS it’s used in the following way (sorry) “The protestors tried to effect change in the organization” Verb Caffeine does not affect me. _______ UNLESS it’s a person’s appearance, then it’s a noun (sorry) “He had a very flat affect” “Her affect looked sour” Effect vs. Affect

4. TIPS & TRICKS VOLUME II (ALTERNATE TITLE: STOP DOING THESE THINGS OR MY HEAD WILL EXPLODE!) Writing & Grammar

5. Ending Sentences with Prepositions It’s bad. Don’t do it. It’s bad. Don’t do it. It’s bad. Don’t do it. It’s bad. Don’t do it. It’s bad. Don’t do it. Prepositions are…?  Show location  Locate the noun in the sentence in time and place  E.g. – with, to, at, between, of ____________________________ BAD: I had no one to go to the dance with. GOOD: I didn’t have a date to the dance. BAD: What do you use this for? GOOD: For what do you use this? OR What it this thing’s purpose?

6. BAD GOOD I asked her where she was at. It was the most terrible thing to be faced with. It wasn’t even loved by the author it was written by. I inquired about her location. I had never been faced with something so terrible. Even the author didn’t love that book. Quick, rewrite these sentences:

7. TIPS & TRICKS VOLUME III (ALTERNATE TITLE: STOP DOING THESE THINGS OR MY HEAD WILL EXPLODE!) Writing & Grammar

8. Commas A comma is this thing: It tells the reader to pause. It divides components of sentences such as phrases, clauses, or items on a list. See what I did there?!,

9. Oxford Comma No Oxford Comma Separates the last two items of a list: I bought milk, cookies, and orange juice. I went to the store, the gym, and then the tanning salon. No separation between the last two things in a list: I bought milk, cookies and orange juice. I went to the store, the gym and then the tanning salon. The Oxford Comma?

10. Other Than Lists Commas Can… Divide independent clauses in ONE sentence when paired with a conjunction: I had to go to bed, but I really wanted to watch one more episode of Family Guy. Independent Clause + comma + conjunction + independent clause. Separate a relative clause, appositive, or another parenthetical element: My sister, a fashionista, wears big earrings every day. Beginning + comma + extra info + comma + rest of sentence Introduce people or titles: The main character, Okonkwo, is a huge jerk. Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, is about a huge jerk. Person’s title or role + comma + name + comma + rest of sentence

11. And still more stuff… Set off introductory elements like prepositional phrases: Before the war, the theater company was quite successful. Set off quotes in dialogue: Joe said, “I don’t think so, Betsy. Not this time,” and Betsy wept. To address someone: Let’s eat, Grandma. To purposefully interrupt the flow of a sentence for effect: No, actually, you can’t have a sip of my coffee.

12. TIPS & TRICKS VOLUME IV SHAKESPEARE EDITION Writing & Grammar

13. Modern– Verb in middle Shakespeare – verb on end Something wicked is coming this way. Don’t be a borrower or a lender. Helen, we’re going to tell you our thoughts. Something wicked this way comes. Neither a borrower nor a lender be. Helen, to you our minds we will unfold. Sentences Structured Shakespearian

14. Modern – you understood, doesn’t, where Shakespeare – thou, “verb not”, whither Pray for us! Love doesn’t look with eyes; it looks with the mind. Hey there, spirit, where are you going? Pray thou for us. Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind. How now, spirit? Whither wander you? Sentences Structured Shakespearian