1. English 11 Writing/Communication Mr. Rinka Lesson #14
Narrative Essay (cont.) Word Usage

2. Using Words
Much of our writing is a personal effort to express ourselves as clearly and accurately as possible. As writer’s, we must be very careful in our word selection. The following slides give you some guidance in your word selection.

3. “anxious”
This word is often misused as a synonym for “excited.” “Anxious” is a synonym for “nervous.” I was anxious about making my speech to the student body.

4. “bad” – “badly”
“bad” = an adjective We saw a bad car accident on the highway yesterday. “badly” = an adverb Steve played badly in the game yesterday.

5. “can” – “may”
“can” = able to do something I can help you with your math homework. “may” = allowed to do something Mother says I may go to the mall with you.

6. “dead body”
This is an example of redundancy when referring to a corpse. The police found a dead body. Other redundancies: end result most perfect climbing higher most fastest living person dead people breathing in and out

7. “fun”
This word exemplifies a vague and overused adjective. Replace such words with a synonym: enjoyable pleasurable exciting rewarding thrilling relaxing comforting interesting amusing entertaining gratifying delightful

8. “good” – “well”
“good” = an adjective I read a good book about travel over the weekend. “well” = an adverb Sara did very well on all of her final exams.

9. “hardly”
“hardly” = is a negative I can hardly see the road through the fog. “can’t hardly” = is a double negative which makes it a positive. “I can’t hardly see the road” means you can see the road.

10. “imply’ – “infer”
“imply” = to suggest, hint. (speaker) The teacher implied that we would find the test quite challenging. “infer” = to draw a conclusion correctly or incorrectly. (listener) From the tone of her voice I inferred that she was angry.

11. “just”
“just” = use only in reference to trust or honor. The verdict was just. (correct) It was just another boring day. (incorrect)

12. “kind of”
“kind of” = use when indicating a type (do not use “a” after) A robin is a kind of bird. (correct) I was kind of sad yesterday. (incorrect) I was somewhat sad yesterday. (correct)

13. “leave” = “let”
“leave” = to move away from or exit I am going to leave you now. “let” = to allow or permit Will you please let me work this problem by myself?

14. “may of” – “might of”
Incorrect forms of “may have” & “might have” I may of lost my wallet. (incorrect) I may have lost my wallet. (correct) I might of seen her. (incorrect) I might have seen her. (correct)

15. “not”
Use a single word instead of “not whenever possible. He was not happy with his grade. He was unhappy with his grade. (better) It was not possible to do. It was impossible to do. (better)

16. “of”
This word is overused. One of the students missed the test. One student missed the test. (better) The boy fell off of the horse. The boy fell off the horse. (better)

17. “pretty”
Do not use as an adverb only as an adjective meaning attractive. The meal was pretty good. (incorrect) The meal was rather good. (correct) The young model was pretty.

18. “quite”
Often misused as the modifier “really”, avoid this word unless you intend its meaning, “completely or entirely.” He is quite smart. (incorrect) He is rather smart. (better) Your answers were quite right! (entirely)

19. “real” – “really”
“real” = an adjective That statue looked real to me. “really” = an adverb It was real cold outside last night. (incorrect) It was really cold outside last night. (correct)

20. “said” – “stated”
“said” = words that are spoken “stated” = words that are written The letter stated that my friend would like to visit in August if my mother said it was convenient.

21. “there is” – “there are”
Avoid using both to begin sentences. Rewrite if at all possible. There is nothing else for you to do. You have nothing else to do. (better) There are several solutions to your problem. Your problem has several solutions. (better)

22. “unique”
“unique” = having no like or equal; an adjective that cannot be more or less so it does not take a modifier. That is a very unique dress. (incorrect) That dress is unique. (correct)

23. “visit with”
This is redundant, so use “visit” alone. I will visit with you tomorrow. I will visit you tomorrow. (better)

24. “where” – “that”
“where” = an adverb referring to position or place. “that” = a relative pronoun that begins a subordinate clause. I heard where the school will close early. (incorrect) I heard that the school will close early. (correct)

25. “your” – “you’re”
“your” = a possessive pronoun “you’re” = contraction for you are Is that your book on the desk? Did you say you’re going to the party?

26. Thesaurus
Use a Thesaurus to help you find Synonyms and antonyms for words.

27. A Short Lesson in Word Usage

28. Word Usage Reference
A complete list of words and phrases often misused.

29. Some Word Humor

30. Narrative Essay Assignment
Frederick Douglas employed interesting ways to help him learn. Referencing his techniques for self- education, create a narrative on how you learned to do something in an interesting way. 12 LA 11 Write Frederick Douglass

31. Narrative Essay Assignment
If you have trouble recalling something that you did, think of observations you have made of others and what they did or stories you have heard about how others employed unusual methods to learn something.

32. Step #5 = Edit
Make sure you have: Introductory Paragraph: What you wanted to learn and why? Body Paragraphs: Methods you used to learn. Concluding Paragraph: The results of your efforts.

33. Writing Rubric
Does the student: use the five paragraph essay format? (15 pts.) follow the narrative structure?(15 pts.) allude to Frederic Douglass? (20 pts.)

34. Writing Rubric
employ correct word usage? (10 pts.) create a variety of sentences? (15 pts.) use proper grammar mechanics? (10 pts.) punctuate & spell correctly? (15 pts.)

35. Content Rubric
Does the student: give three good examples? (25 pts.) support these examples? (25 pts.) tell an interesting story? (25 pts.) successfully illustrate the lesson of the narrative? (25 pts.)

36. Editing the Essay Spelling Capitalization Sentence Structure Fragments
Comma Splices
Run-on

37. Punctuation End marks Commas Semicolons Colons Quotation Marks Italics

38. Subject-Verb Agreement Verb Tense Active Verbs Pronoun-antecedent Agreement Pronoun Reference Dangling Modifiers Misplaced Modifiers

39. #14 Edited Narrative Essay
Edited Draft
#14 Edited Narrative Essay

40. Editing Format
Centered Title Endorse properly Size 12 Font Arial or Times New Roman Black Ink 1” margin all around Double-space entire paper

41. Last Name + Page # right corner all pages Indent all paragraphs Do not use 2nd person pronoun (you) No abbreviations or symbols No contractions Spell out numbers one – ten Punctuate quotes correctly

42. Stress: Modern Life’s Silent Killer
Last name & Page# Endorsement Arial or Times New Roman font/size 12 Double-space Center the title 1” Margin
Diaz 1
Juan Carlos Diaz
Mr. Rinka
English 1
June 1, 2012
Stress: Modern Life’s Silent Killer
Dr. Mason deals with the causes and effects of stress every day and
states, “Stress is the single most deadly factor in the lives of modern
Americans” (Mason Interview). Stress is the physical, emotional and
psychological reaction to many factor in a person’s life. Stress
disrupts all aspects of a person’s life, sleeping, eating, exercising,
relaxing interacting and simply enjoying life. Stress can directly or
indirectly cause many diseases from heart attacks and strokes to
diabetes and depression (Stevens 5). For people who wants to
understand this silent killer they need to know what causes stress,

43. Step 6 = Final Draft/Publication
#14 Final Narrative Essay

44. English 11 Writing/Communication Mr. Rinka Lesson #14
Narrative Essay (cont.) Word Usage