DAY 6: PROOFREADING PART ONE

Why is grammar so important? You may be wondering why teachers stress grammatical accuracy. Grammar is what frames your ideas- it’s a major part of ensuring your ideas are conveyed in the best way possible. Grammar helps embed all those ideas in your head in coherent, smooth sentences that your reader can understand.

Grammar Tricks That Can Elevate Your Writing Preserve Parallelism 1 Modify Appropriately 2 Check Pronoun Precision 3 Avoid Comma Splices 4 Punctuate Appropriately 5 Stay Away From Passive Voice 6

Parallelism This is making sure that phrases, clauses, or even sentences have the same grammatical structure This really comes up when looking at lists and sentences Here’s an example: Olympic athletes usually like practicing, competing, and to eat ice cream sandwiches. Vs. Olympic athletes usually like practicing, competing, and eating ice cream sandwiches.

Modifiers A modifier is a word or group of words that further clarifies the meaning of another word. A misplaced modifier does not clearly modify another word in the sentence. To fix this, first figure out what the modifier is trying to modify and then make sure that noun is directly next to the modifier. Example: While walking along the shore, the clumps of seaweed tripped me and I fell. vs. While walking along the shore, I tripped on some clumps of seaweed and fell. There are also dangling modifiers, which do not refer to any noun in the sentence. Disappointed beyond consolation, a failing grade was the worst outcome possible. Disappointed beyond consolation, the student dry-heaved because of his failing grade.

Pronouns If a pronoun either doesn’t match the noun it’s replacing or could be referring to multiple things, the pronoun is not being used correctly Common Pronoun Errors: Singular-Plural Mismatches If a student wants a high grade, they should study hard. Vs. If a student wants a high grade, he or she should study hard. 2) The Lost Pronouns: Pronouns that don’t refer to anything Pronouns to avoid: It, This, That, These/Those

Comma Splices A comma splice occurs when there are two independent clauses connected by only a comma. Ex. Koala bears are not actually bears, they are marsupials. There are a few different ways to correct a comma splice. Separate the clauses by a period instead of a comma. Separate the clauses with a semicolon. Add a coordinating conjunction and a comma. Add a subordinating conjunction and a comma.

Punctuation Semicolons (;): used to separate two complete sentences (the before and after parts of the semicolon need to be complete sentences) Colons/Dashes (:/--) are used to introduce ideas, like things in a list Comma (,): make sure you use these with conjunctions and modifiers Periods go inside the quotation marks if you are quoting something/someone

Passive Voice Once again, passive voice is when the subject is acted upon by some other performer of the verb. Ex. “Mistakes were made.” —most politicians Vs. I made a mistake. Avoid any form of to be verbs, like is, are, were, was, etc.

Revision The best way to catch grammar mistakes is by reading your paper out loud. Take a pen and/or a highlighter and find some place where you can read your paper out loud to yourself Highlight things like “to be” verbs; pronouns like it, this/that, these/those Underline sentences where you have comma splices or incorrect parallelism Circle punctuation used inappropriately