“Grammar and Spelling” Chapter 2 (aka English 101)

“Words to write by…” “Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are not used to seeing in print; never use a long word where a short one will do; if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out;

“Words to write by…” never use the passive voice when you can use the active; never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or jargon if you can think of an everyday English equivalent; and break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.” --George Orwell, author

Good reporters: Have good news judgment Have good news judgment Write well Write well “To become effective writers, journalists must understand more than the basics of grammar and word usage. They have to become experts.” (from your textbook)

The basics: Nouns Nouns Verbs Verbs Adjectives Adjectives Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”) Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”) Adverbs Adverbs Pronouns Pronouns Conjunctions (“and,” “but,” “or”– words that connect other words, phrases, etc.) Conjunctions (“and,” “but,” “or”– words that connect other words, phrases, etc.)

Problem Areas Agreement errors Agreement errors –Example: “A team of researchers have gathered the information.” Can you fix? –Example: “General Motors is expanding their car line.” Is this sentence correct? –Example: “The team won their third victory in a row.” OK…or not?

Misplaced Modifiers Example: “A suspect in a burglary case was arrested after a high-speed chase involving two lawn mowers stolen from a hardware store.” Is this OK? Example: “A suspect in a burglary case was arrested after a high-speed chase involving two lawn mowers stolen from a hardware store.” Is this OK? Example: “The board voted to fire the president for his sexual misconduct during an emergency meeting Saturday morning.” Huh? Example: “The board voted to fire the president for his sexual misconduct during an emergency meeting Saturday morning.” Huh?

Personification Problems Example: “The fire department treated the child for smoke inhalation.” Correct? Example: “The fire department treated the child for smoke inhalation.” Correct? Example: “The company, which denied any responsibility for the deaths, will appear in court next month.” Who will appear in court? Example: “The company, which denied any responsibility for the deaths, will appear in court next month.” Who will appear in court?

(Un)Parallel Form Example: “She enjoys swimming, running, biking and to read a good book.” Anything wrong? Example: “She enjoys swimming, running, biking and to read a good book.” Anything wrong? Example: “The Smiths have three children: Jim, 4; three-year-old Jane; and little Joe who just turned two.” Example: “The Smiths have three children: Jim, 4; three-year-old Jane; and little Joe who just turned two.” Better: “The Smiths have three children: Jim, 4; Jane, 3; and Joe, 2.” Better: “The Smiths have three children: Jim, 4; Jane, 3; and Joe, 2.”

Finly…be sur to spelt crectly… Misspellings reflect laziness on the part of the writer, and they sometimes cause readers to doubt the facts in the story Misspellings reflect laziness on the part of the writer, and they sometimes cause readers to doubt the facts in the story Spell-check programs may catch misspelled words but they don’t always catch improper word usage. Spell-check programs may catch misspelled words but they don’t always catch improper word usage.