<p>This is my outline I made that greatly showed my weaknesses and flaws. </p>
<p>Writing Errors- Identifying sentence errors
~Identifying sentence errors- eliminate what is right. Focus on subject v agreement, and whether a pronoun should be in objective (me, you, him, us, them- if it is an object of preposition) or if it is subjective (predicate nominative and not an object of prep.- I, you, he, we, they)
~Parallelism, keep the pronouns constant and delete object of prepositions that get in the way of the subject and verb.
His does not work if there are two antacendents that are male (not clear).
Effect vs. affect
o Affect- (verb) to influence (the arrow affected the aardvark)
o Effect- (noun) a result. (The effect was the eye popping.
When to use me and I
You use objective case in object of preposition (me)
Examples of Sub. are I, You, He, We, They
Examples of Obj are me, you, him, us, them
Use subjective pronouns for the subject and predicate nominative
Use Objective for direct/indirect objects, objects of prepositional phrases</p>
<p> When I is an object of preposition you use, me.
For my sister and me
Some Collective nouns are plural (children,men, women, etc. specific people)
Women are funny
All men were created equal
Each, every, neither are singular
Each kid is nice.
It can be plural
Each kids are nice.
Double negative
He had not hardly
Hardly already suggests negativity
When comparing correctly and fully explain what your comparing
Like other chefs in gourmet restaurants vs like other gourmet restaurants
Make it sound more clear what you are comparing
Pronouns must stay consistent in the whole sentence
If you use one (and its not underlined) keep using it
Some collective nouns not referring to specific groups are singular
Commission revealed its secret
************ look over collective nouns and their plurality- ex. All geese are fat***********
REVIEW THIS
Use the closest noun to the verb to choose if its singular or pluaral
Pay close attention to preposistions as they do not decideif the verb is plural
Program of health benefits was likely to be eliminated. (ignore of health benefits focus on program - verb is singular)</p>
<p>Improving sentences
~focus on appositives whether you want to add additional information sounding absolute. My mom, sue, likes blue, or adding information without sounding definite. Olga was a soviet gymnast.
~ look to see if there is an error in sentence structures. Whether it is a run-on sentence, fragment, etc. find the answer that fixes this solution and sounds the best.
~modifiers are crucial when improving sentences. If a sentence reads of all the countries, the next thing that must be presented is a country because that is what the first part indicates.
~shortest is not best-> if the sentence is redundant or overly wordy delete it, but dont pick it because its only short.
~choose the punctuation that best allows the sentence to flow without errors
~do not change the meaning of the sentence. Use what is there if the sentence. if the sentence says: were it not, dont change it to if it were not. Use what you have or reword it to not change the meaning.
Be mindful of sentence fragments
Fix sentence without adding errors
For example, Olga Korburt, a soviet gymnast, whose fame as an athlete on the Olympic stage almost equals that of Nadia commaneci. (This is a fragment cannot use non- restrictive clause in this cause (she isnt the only soviet gymnast).
Should read: Olga Korburt was a soviet gymnast whose fame as an athlete on the Olympic stage almost equals that of Nadia commaneci.
Another example is: My friend bob is smart.
If you put commas after friend, that would make it seem like bob was your only friend.
If you intend to identify it as the only put commas (non restrictive) if you just want to add information do not set it off with commas.
If the sentence has to independent sentences find an answer choice that seperates these two sentences.
For example: I love ice cream, I go to brusters everyday.
Find an answer that separates these two into sentences or uses a semi-colon.
I love ice cream. I go to brusters everday. Or I love icecream; therefore I go to brusters everyday.
Misplaced modifiers
The word should modify what is to come next.
Of all the countires in the UN Security Council, the rep
That is incorrect because the rep is not a country therefore it is a misplaced modifier.
Of all the countries in the UN security council, CHINA
Ding ding ding; that is correct. China is indeed being correctly modified.
o Punctuations: Colon
Use a colon when a list is followed or an explanation.
The border crossing proved more unpleasant than the two American reporters had expected, having their cameras seized and their tape recorders smashed by belligerent soldiers.
This is however incorrect! It may sound and seem correct but the second have is an explanation of the first half. So you guessed it, a colon should be used!
Paragraph improvements
~parallism look for the choice that allows the sentence to be in the same tense. (not add a new error)
~does not require you to read the story. If you must edit a sentence focus on the paragraph or preceding and following sentence. (read only if you have the time or if a question asks for overall)
Redundancy
Pay close mind to redundant errors as that is never the answer. (I personally; the reason why; etc.)
Comparisions
Make sure you are comparing the right things if the sentence suggests so.
If one part of the sentence says: I liked the sound of handbells, they are purer than electric guitars.
BE SPECFIC: say; I liked the sound of handbells, they sound purer than electric guitars.
Subject v agreement
Go straight to the subject and ignore EXAMPLES!
Top athletes such as Michael Jordan become role models to young people everywhere, to inspire them with their brilliant individual performances.
Athletes refers to their, and them refers to people. It should not be him because Michael is simply an example not the subject. Cut out all the extras go straight to the subject and verb</p>