Ten Common Writing Errors Lesson Plan 3.0

Fragments A full sentence has a subject and a verb that make sense by themselves.A full sentence has a subject and a verb that make sense by themselves. Fragments are usually Dependent Clauses or phrases that need additional information to make sense.Fragments are usually Dependent Clauses or phrases that need additional information to make sense. –Attach the fragment to the beginning or end to the most closely related sentence –Attach the fragment to a newly created sentence –Supply the missing subject and/or verb, changing the other words as necessary

Comma Splices and Run-Ons This commonly happens when a writer attempts to connect too much information together This commonly happens when a writer attempts to connect too much information together ◊Complex-Compound sentences need to be rarely used. This is also true for simple sentences. ◊When this happens, just break the sentence down into two or more sentences. ◊Look for the subject and verb of a main idea. ◊Use a semicolon to connect two very closely related ideas, use a comma and a conjunction to connect two Independent clauses, or turn one of the sentences into a dependant clause/phrase.

Faulty Subject-Verb Agreement This occurs when the writer mistakenly uses a singular or plural verb when the other is needed. This occurs when the writer mistakenly uses a singular or plural verb when the other is needed. –The documents was found. –The documents were found. The basic rule of thumb is that if you are dealing with a single item use the single verb. Tip: Substitute a pronoun for the subject. Is it singular or plural? Use the appropriate verb form.

Faulty Pronoun Agreement If you have two or more subjects, you need to use a plural pronoun. They Their ThemIf you have two or more subjects, you need to use a plural pronoun. They Their Them If you have one subject, you need to use a singular pronoun. She He It.If you have one subject, you need to use a singular pronoun. She He It. Collective Nouns: The Team uses a singular pronoun: itCollective Nouns: The Team uses a singular pronoun: it Indefinite Pronouns: Neither, anybody, each, no one, one, nothing, somebody, and something are singularIndefinite Pronouns: Neither, anybody, each, no one, one, nothing, somebody, and something are singular –To avoid sexist language use plurals Neither of the executives resigned his position.Neither of the executives resigned his position. The executives did not resign their positions.The executives did not resign their positions. Stay within the same person point of view.Stay within the same person point of view. –To register to vote, citizens [third person] can visit the state government’s website, where you [second person] can download the appropriate forms. I You TheyI You They

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers A modifier is a word or group of words that describes something else. It modifies our understanding of something. Sometimes authors misplace sentence modifiers creating confusing sentences.A modifier is a word or group of words that describes something else. It modifies our understanding of something. Sometimes authors misplace sentence modifiers creating confusing sentences. ◊Television stations carried the story of the disastrous tornado throughout the nation. ◊Faded and brittle with age, archaeologists unearthed a painted clay pot near the riverbank. ◊Passengers complained about the flight at the customer service desk, which was turbulent and delayed. Modifiers need to be next to what they are modifying.Modifiers need to be next to what they are modifying.

Faulty Parallelism Words in a pair or series should be in parallel or matching grammatical structures.Words in a pair or series should be in parallel or matching grammatical structures. ◊After hiking all day, the campers were exhausted, hungry, and experienced soreness. ◊Every road to the airport is either jammed or is closed for repairs. ◊We knew that autumn was on its way because the leaves were changing color, the sun was setting earlier, and there was a chill in the air.

Comma Misuse The comma is the most common mark of internal punctuation.The comma is the most common mark of internal punctuation. Used when two complete sentences are joined with a conjunction.Used when two complete sentences are joined with a conjunction. To set aside introductory material which precedes a sentence’s main subject and verb.To set aside introductory material which precedes a sentence’s main subject and verb. When a word or phrase describes a noun but isn’t crucial for identifying the noun.When a word or phrase describes a noun but isn’t crucial for identifying the noun. When words or phrases inserted into the body of a sentence can be removed without significant loss of meaning. Interrupters are enclosed in commas.When words or phrases inserted into the body of a sentence can be removed without significant loss of meaning. Interrupters are enclosed in commas. In a list of three or more itemsIn a list of three or more items Before short quotations and their source.Before short quotations and their source. –Mom said, “Hey get over here.” Between the numbers in a date and elements in an addressBetween the numbers in a date and elements in an address

Apostrophe Used to indicate missing letters or contractions Used to indicate missing letters or contractions –Can’t / Won’t / I’m Used to indicate possession Used to indicate possession –Ross’s / her’s /The television’s knob Some plurals Some plurals – A’s

Homonyms Words that sound alike but mean different things Words that sound alike but mean different things Accept [receive or agree] vs. Except [but or excluding] Accept [receive or agree] vs. Except [but or excluding] To [toward] vs. Too [overly] vs. Two [2] To [toward] vs. Too [overly] vs. Two [2] Affect [influence] vs. Effect [result or bring about] Affect [influence] vs. Effect [result or bring about] Its [possessive] vs. It’s [it is] Its [possessive] vs. It’s [it is] Than [comparison] vs. then [time] Than [comparison] vs. then [time] Their [possessive] vs. there [place] Their [possessive] vs. there [place] Your [possessive] vs. You’re [you are] Your [possessive] vs. You’re [you are] Whose [possessive?] vs. Who’s [who is/has] Whose [possessive?] vs. Who’s [who is/has]