Ten Common Writing Ten Common Writing ErrorsErrors

Lesson Plan 3.0Lesson Plan 3.0

FragmentsFragments

• A full sentence has a subject and a verb A full sentence has a subject and a verb that make sense by themselves.that make sense by themselves.

• Fragments are usually Dependent Clauses Fragments are usually Dependent Clauses or phrases that need additional information or phrases that need additional information to make sense.to make sense.– Attach the fragment to the beginning or end to Attach the fragment to the beginning or end to

the most closely related sentencethe most closely related sentence– Attach the fragment to a newly created Attach the fragment to a newly created

sentencesentence– Supply the missing subject and/or verb, Supply the missing subject and/or verb,

changing the other words as necessarychanging the other words as necessary

Comma Splices and Run-Comma Splices and Run-OnsOns• This commonly happens when a writer This commonly happens when a writer

attempts to connect too much information attempts to connect too much information togethertogether◊ Complex-Compound sentences need to be rarely Complex-Compound sentences need to be rarely

used. This is also true for simple sentences.used. This is also true for simple sentences.◊ When this happens, just break the sentence down When this happens, just break the sentence down

into two or more sentences. into two or more sentences. ◊ Look for the subject and verb of a main idea. Look for the subject and verb of a main idea. ◊ Use a semicolon to connect two very closely Use a semicolon to connect two very closely

related ideas, use a comma and a conjunction to related ideas, use a comma and a conjunction to connect two Independent clauses, or turn one of connect two Independent clauses, or turn one of the sentences into a dependant clause/phrase.the sentences into a dependant clause/phrase.

Faulty Subject-Verb Faulty Subject-Verb AgreementAgreement• This occurs when the writer mistakenly This occurs when the writer mistakenly

uses a singular or plural verb when the uses a singular or plural verb when the other is needed.other is needed.– The documents was found.The documents was found.– The documents were found.The documents were found.

The basic rule of thumb is that if you are dealing The basic rule of thumb is that if you are dealing with a single item use the single verb. with a single item use the single verb.

Tip: Substitute a pronoun for the subject. Is it Tip: Substitute a pronoun for the subject. Is it singular or plural? Use the appropriate verb singular or plural? Use the appropriate verb form.form.

Faulty Pronoun AgreementFaulty Pronoun Agreement

• If you have two or more subjects, you need to use a plural If you have two or more subjects, you need to use a plural pronoun. They Their Thempronoun. They Their Them

• If you have one subject, you need to use a singular If you have one subject, you need to use a singular pronoun. She He It.pronoun. She He It.

• Collective Nouns: The Team uses a singular pronoun: itCollective Nouns: The Team uses a singular pronoun: it• Indefinite Pronouns: Neither, anybody, each, no one, one, Indefinite Pronouns: Neither, anybody, each, no one, one,

nothing, somebody, and something are singularnothing, somebody, and something are singular– To avoid sexist language use pluralsTo avoid sexist language use plurals

• Neither of the executives resigned his position.Neither of the executives resigned his position.• The executives did not resign their positions.The executives did not resign their positions.

• Stay within the same person point of view.Stay within the same person point of view.– To register to vote, citizens [third person] can visit the state To register to vote, citizens [third person] can visit the state

government’s website, where you [second person] can government’s website, where you [second person] can download the appropriate forms. download the appropriate forms.

• I I You You TheyThey

Misplaced and Dangling Misplaced and Dangling ModifiersModifiers• A modifier is a word or group of words that A modifier is a word or group of words that

describes something else. It modifies our describes something else. It modifies our understanding of something. Sometimes understanding of something. Sometimes authors misplace sentence modifiers creating authors misplace sentence modifiers creating confusing sentences.confusing sentences.

◊ Television stations carried the story of the disastrous Television stations carried the story of the disastrous tornado throughout the nation.tornado throughout the nation.

◊ Faded and brittle with age, archaeologists unearthed a Faded and brittle with age, archaeologists unearthed a painted clay pot near the riverbank.painted clay pot near the riverbank.

◊ Passengers complained about the flight at the Passengers complained about the flight at the customer service desk, which was turbulent and customer service desk, which was turbulent and delayed.delayed.

• Modifiers need to be next to what they are Modifiers need to be next to what they are modifying.modifying.

Faulty ParallelismFaulty Parallelism

• Words in a pair or series should be in parallel Words in a pair or series should be in parallel or matching grammatical structures.or matching grammatical structures.

◊ After hiking all day, the campers After hiking all day, the campers were were exhausted, hungry, and experienced exhausted, hungry, and experienced sorenesssoreness..

◊ Every road to the airport is Every road to the airport is either jammed or is either jammed or is closedclosed for repairs. for repairs.

◊ We knew that autumn was on its way because We knew that autumn was on its way because the leaves were changing color, the sun was the leaves were changing color, the sun was setting earlier, and there was a chill in the setting earlier, and there was a chill in the air.air.

Comma MisuseComma Misuse

• The comma is the most common mark of internal The comma is the most common mark of internal punctuation.punctuation.

• Used when two complete sentences are joined with a Used when two complete sentences are joined with a conjunction.conjunction.

• To set aside introductory material which precedes a To set aside introductory material which precedes a sentence’s main subject and verb. sentence’s main subject and verb.

• When a word or phrase describes a noun but isn’t crucial When a word or phrase describes a noun but isn’t crucial for identifying the noun.for identifying the noun.

• When words or phrases inserted into the body of a When words or phrases inserted into the body of a sentence can be removed without significant loss of sentence can be removed without significant loss of meaning. Interrupters are enclosed in commas.meaning. Interrupters are enclosed in commas.

• In a list of three or more itemsIn a list of three or more items• Before short quotations and their source. Before short quotations and their source.

– Mom said, “Hey get over here.”Mom said, “Hey get over here.”• Between the numbers in a date and elements in an addressBetween the numbers in a date and elements in an address

ApostropheApostrophe

• Used to indicate missing letters or Used to indicate missing letters or contractionscontractions– Can’t / Won’t / I’m Can’t / Won’t / I’m

• Used to indicate possessionUsed to indicate possession– Ross’s / her’s /The television’s knobRoss’s / her’s /The television’s knob

• Some pluralsSome plurals– A’s A’s

HomonymsHomonyms

• Words that sound alike but mean different thingsWords that sound alike but mean different things• Accept [receive or agree] vs. Except [but or Accept [receive or agree] vs. Except [but or

excluding]excluding]• To [toward] vs. Too [overly] vs. Two [2]To [toward] vs. Too [overly] vs. Two [2]• Affect [influence] vs. Effect [result or bring about]Affect [influence] vs. Effect [result or bring about]• Its [possessive] vs. It’s [it is]Its [possessive] vs. It’s [it is]• Than [comparison] vs. then [time]Than [comparison] vs. then [time]• Their [possessive] vs. there [place]Their [possessive] vs. there [place]• Your [possessive] vs. You’re [you are]Your [possessive] vs. You’re [you are]• Whose [possessive?] vs. Who’s [who is/has]Whose [possessive?] vs. Who’s [who is/has]