Grammar/Writing Suggestions A start . . .

General Reminders and Suggestions No contractions in formal writing Use present tense to discuss literature Avoid overuse of be verbs/weak verbs Avoid absolutes Avoid expletives Never place a single comma between a subject and its verb Discuss literature in third person Pronouns and antecedents must agree Run-on sentences (learn how to avoid creating them)

Contractions Avoid contractions in formal writing

Contractions Student example: “In the end, it’s their friendship that brings them together and keeps them happy.” Better: . . . it is their friendship . . .. Later . . . Avoid expletives (“there” statements and “it is”)

Present Tense Use present tense to discuss literature (and film!)

Present Tense Student example: What was the promise that Mortenson told the Balti people after he failed to climb K2? Better: What is the promise that Mortenson tells the Balti people after he fails to climb K2? (later— stronger verbs)

Strong Verbs Avoid be (is, are, was, were, be, am, been) verbs. Although grammatically correct, using “is” (or any be verb) again and again presents poor word choice. Vary verb selections. In general, action verbs make stronger verb phrases than be verbs or helping or linking verb constructions. Students need not rid themselves of these weaker constructions instantly. If a student uses be verbs or other weak verb constructions 50% of the time, he should attempt to reduce that by 20 to 25%.

Verbs Student example: This novel is excellent at using symbolism. Better: This novel uses symbolism excellently.

Verbs Student example: Throughout the story, Eragon is forced to mature quickly to survive in his harsh reality. Better: Throughout the story circumstances force Eragon to mature quickly to survive in his harsh reality.

Verbs Student example: When the main character is discussing military tactics it shows the personality and thoughts. Better: When the main character discusses military tactics, he shows personality and thoughtfulness. (other concerns also addressed)

Avoid Absolutes Absolutes are rarely accurate. If a student says, everybody failed Ms. Miller’s test, the absolute is “everybody.” Ms Miller has never given a test that every student failed, so the claim rings false.

Avoid absolutes Student example: Everyone loves a good romance. Better: Most teenage girls enjoy a good romance.

Expletives Expletive are words or phrases that add no meaning to a sentence. Obscenities provide the most common examples; however, since foul language remains inappropriate for school, “there” statements are the most common expletives found in student writing. There is, there are, there have been, there was, there were, and more. These constructions weaken prose.

Expletives Student example: With such a momentous task placed on Harry’s shoulders, there is a feeling of worry about whether Harry can accomplish it or not. Better: With such a momentous task on Harry’s shoulders, a feeling of worry fills the reader.

Expletives Student example: There is a lot of pleasure in reading a humorous work. Better: Readers glean pleasure from humorous works.

Comma errors Dozens of comma errors exist. The ACT (some students are taking it Saturday) covers this one. Never place a single comma between a subject and its verb. Never! English grammar contains many exceptions but not in this case. Never place a single comma between a subject and its verb. (Two commas may, however, be placed between a subject and its verb).

Commas Student example: Francine River’s Redeeming Love, is the biblical story of Hosea and his Journey. Better: Francine River’s Redeeming Love is the biblical story of Hosea and his journey. (notice the title is also set off and the random act of capitalization removed. Strengthening the verb comes next!).

Third person Discuss literature in third person not first or second.

Third Person Student example: I believe that she appreciates this, because it reminds her of being at home when her mom and dad would teacher her things. Better: She appreciates this because it reminds her of home and her mom and dad’s teachings. (also comma splices removed; sentence presently more succinctly)

Third Person Student example: Do you have to be cruel to survive in the apocalypse? Better: Does apocalypse survival require cruelty?

Pronoun/Antecedent agreement Pronouns must agree with their antecedents (the word they replace/rename) in number and gender.

Pronoun/Antecedent agreement Student example: Is it essential to know about a role model’s past for a better understanding of their values, like when James questions his mother’s life before kids? Better: Is it essential to know about a role model’s past for a better understanding of his values, like . . .?

Run-on sentences Run-on sentences generally occur when a writer separates two (or more) independent clauses with a comma (or commas).

A number of grammar terms provide assistance Simple sentence: a sentence containing only one independent clause Compound sentence: a sentence containing two or more independent clauses

A number of grammar terms provide assistance Complex sentence: a sentence containing one independent clause and at least one dependent clause Compound/complex sentence: a sentence containing at least one dependent clause and two (or more) independent clauses

Punctuating two or more independent clauses Two independent clauses may be written as two separate sentences—utilize a period and a capital letter to correct

Punctuating two or more independent clauses Two independent clauses may be divided with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, etc.)

Punctuating two or more independent clauses Two independent clauses may be separated by a semicolon.

Punctuating two or more independent clauses Two independent clauses may be separated by semicolon, a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, nonetheless, etc.), and a comma

Punctuating two or more independent clauses Two independent clauses may be separated by a colon if the first introduces a second clause which modifies the first. This usage occurs infrequently—do not force!

Run-on Sentences Student example: Throughout his whole journey the only constant thing is his beliefs and outlook on life, Tolstoy and Thoreau are mentioned a plethora of times, and Chris bases his needs and his wants off of the authors works of fiction. Better: Throughout his journey his beliefs and outlook on life remain constant; Chris bases his needs and wants off works by Tolstoy and Thoreau.