1. When to NOT use commas!

2. But first….DOL  Tony used to win a lot of boxing matches until he hurts his hand and now he can’t be the most bestest fighter out their. (4 errors)  Ms. Hanks the nice co-teacher with Mr. Dorrell was standing by the back door. (2 errors)

3. Do not use a single comma between the subject and verb of your sentence.  Incorrect: The professor of my Japanese class, gave a quiz yesterday.  Correct: The professor of my Japanese class gave a quiz yesterday.  Now you try….  The other day I, pushed Mr. Dorrell down in the snow.

4. Do not use a comma to separate the paired parts in paired compound subjects or compound verbs.subjects or compound verbs.  Incorrect: She lets me watch her mom, and pop fight.  Correct: She lets me watch her mom and pop fight.  Please fix this one…..  They would argue over money, and scream about his late nights.

5. Do not use commas to separate a noun and its modifying adjectives when the adjectives come before the noun.  Incorrect: The bright red, car was a Corvette.  Correct: The bright red car was a Corvette.  Now you try…..  The strong, tough boy used to go to this school.

6. How to Narrow a Research Topic

7. When your research topic is too broad, ask yourself these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

8. How to Narrow a Research Topic Let’s see how this works with an example : eating disorders This topic is too broad (general) to write about in a short paper. We need to make it narrower (more specific).

9. How to Narrow a Research Topic Who? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Populations Age Gender Race or Ethnicity NEW TOPIC: Eating disorders in elderly females

10. How to Narrow a Research Topic What? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Types Anorexia Bulimia Compulsive eating NEW TOPIC: Anorexia in elderly females

11. How to Narrow a Research Topic When? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Timeframes Current or historical view Period of life NEW TOPIC: Bulimia in middle- aged females

12. How to Narrow a Research Topic Where? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Places States Regions Countries NEW TOPIC: Anorexia in Australian women

13. How to Narrow a Research Topic Why? TOPIC: EATING DISORDERS Evaluate Causes Treatments Outcomes NEW TOPIC: Successful methods for treatment of compulsive eating

14. How to Narrow a Research Topic Mix n’ Match Combine any number of elements that you derive from asking these questions until you find an interesting topic to research. Some examples: Causes and treatment of anorexia in college athletes Prevalence of bulimia in teen-age males in the United States Changes in treatment for compulsive overeaters, 1950- present.