Graham
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Writing Process: Errors to Avoid
Singular Subjects
Example:
Plural Usage
Common Misuse of They're, There, Their, etc.
It's and Its
Effect and Affect
1. Effect- This is a noun which usually means a cause or the direct result of an occurrence; perhaps a consequence.
2. Affect- This word works hand in hand with effect because it is usually the process by which the effect occurs; it brings about an effect typically.
Basic Pointers
- Titles of novels, plays and epic poems (The Odyssey) should all be underlined. These are generally long works and therefor need a long line to underscore the similarities of the works.
- Conversely, short stories and poems are commonly briefer or smaller works and are designated with quotation marks around their titles. You will need to use quotation marks to set off the occurrence of a poem and end with a quotation mark as well.
- When writing avoid the informal tone and be sure to use the formal tone. You should avoid writing words such as "I think" and "I feel". These generally show the writers point of view - which shouldn't be stated such as this.
Other Important Reminders
Singular Subjects
- Singular Subject or object followed by a plural antecedent.
- Believe it or not, the pronoun everyone is considered a singular one. Therefor, it must be followed by a singular antecedent - the corresponding pronoun that identified the same later in the sentence.
Example:
- One person is a singular noun and must be later referred to in the sentence with a singular antecedent.
Plural Usage
- There is one man in the room and one woman.
- There are two men in the room and two women.
Common Misuse of They're, There, Their, etc.
- The word there is used to begin a sentence such as..."There is a place where I want to go to which is located in northern Chile."
- The word there can also be used to designate a location such as..."Place that brand new book onto the table in the living room."
- The word their is a word that denotes possession for more than two people as in the sentence..."I've gone to their home numerous time, even without asking.
- The word they're is a contraction which represents a shortened form of the two words they are. As it would be used in a sentence: They're coming with us after all; I hope we have enough room in the car to accommodate everyone.
It's and Its
- It's- Is known as a contraction which is briefly known as it is.
- Its- This is known as the possessive form of it.
Effect and Affect
1. Effect- This is a noun which usually means a cause or the direct result of an occurrence; perhaps a consequence.
2. Affect- This word works hand in hand with effect because it is usually the process by which the effect occurs; it brings about an effect typically.
Basic Pointers
- Titles of novels, plays and epic poems (The Odyssey) should all be underlined. These are generally long works and therefor need a long line to underscore the similarities of the works.
- Conversely, short stories and poems are commonly briefer or smaller works and are designated with quotation marks around their titles. You will need to use quotation marks to set off the occurrence of a poem and end with a quotation mark as well.
- When writing avoid the informal tone and be sure to use the formal tone. You should avoid writing words such as "I think" and "I feel". These generally show the writers point of view - which shouldn't be stated such as this.
Other Important Reminders
- Avoid the usage of fragmented sentences. This is a major mistake and usually when writing a paper you want to combine the two fragments to provide smoother reading and far easier comprehension.
- Avoiding run on sentences is highly important as well. You want to make sure you don't fragment your sentences but also that you don't continue them unnecessarily. Generally a new thought topic = a new sentence.
- Don't continue sentences where it is unnecessary. You should not be using a comma when you should be using a period. A period determines the end of a sentence and where that specific thought has ended. A comma permits the ongoing nature of a smaller thought within a thought.
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