Writing 101

Singular, Plural, Possessive Know the difference Singular: The cat pressed the lever to escape the box. Plural: The cats were in a box marked, “For Sale.” Possessive: The cat’s ball rolled under the couch. Be aware of when verbs change to match the pronoun She.... is, was They or we... are, were

Irregular Plurals Singular Form Child Child Mouse Mouse Foot Foot Offspring Offspring Formula Formula Datum Datum Stimulus Stimulus Index Index Hypothesis Hypothesis Criterion Criterion Plural Form Children Children Mice Mice Feet Feet Offspring Offspring Formulae Formulae Data Data Stimuli Stimuli Indices Indices Hypotheses Hypotheses Criteria Criteria *An -s or -es does not always pluralize a noun. *

Contractions Don’t Don’t Can’t Can’t We’ll We’ll Aren’t Aren’t Let’s Let’s I’m I’m You’d You’d Do not Do not Can not Can not We will We will Are not Are not Let us Let us I am I am You would You would Do Not Use Them, Ever!

They All Sound the Same... They’re, There, and Their They’re, There, and Their –They’re going to the store this afternoon. (contraction = they are) –I just returned from Dublin, have you ever been there? (place, direction) –Their house is white with blue shutters. (possession) To, Too, and Two To, Too, and Two –Kent is moving to Massachusetts. –I want to go too. –He is taking his two dogs with him.

They all sound the same... It’s and Its It’s and Its –It’s Jake’s birthday today. (It is) –Its hair was matted and mangled. (possession) Whether and Weather Whether and Weather –It does not matter whether or not Mandy stays for dinner. –The weather is supposed to be cold and damp. Then and Than Then and Than –Men are more likely than women to watch UFC. –The students were instructed to clear their desks then begin the examination.

Often Forgotten..... Who vs. Whom Who vs. Whom –Who is the person with the white lab coat? –With whom did you leave the key? Who vs. That Who vs. That –Individuals who study, often find exams to be easy. –Companies that give employees better benefits have higher productivity. –The vase that broke is in the cardboard box. –Times when..., Places where... Affect vs. Effect Affect vs. Effect –Psychology students often learn about the Hawthorne effect. –Amy wants study how energy-drinks affect performance and cognitive ability.

Parallel Construction Each statement must be able to stand alone and still be grammatically correct. Each statement must be able to stand alone and still be grammatically correct. The student is required to read 30 pages of text, write a report, and memorize a list of vocabulary words. The student is required to read 30 pages of text, write a report, and memorize a list of vocabulary words. –to read –to write –to memorize

Using Conjunctions Correctly Since vs. Because Since vs. Because –Andrew has been excited about going to the zoo since last Thursday. –The dog salivated because Pavlov rang the bell. While vs. Although While vs. Although –Although I enjoy watching baseball on television, I would rather be at the stadium. –While Jack cleaned the garage, Mary dusted the living room. Or vs. Nor Or vs. Nor –The girl was allowed to have either a piece of candy or a sticker. –Neither the doctor nor the nurse could find the patient’s chart.

Referring to People Do not use “You” to refer to the reader. Do not use “You” to refer to the reader. Do not use “We” to refer to general groups or society. Do not use “We” to refer to general groups or society. Use “One” Use “One” –If one chooses to engage in criminal activity, then one must be ready to accept the consequences. –One should not equate correlation with causation.

Colloquialisms and Slang Do not write as you would speak Do not write as you would speak Do not use phrases or words such as: Do not use phrases or words such as: –Cop (police officer) –The merchandise was hot (stolen) –Gonna (going to) –Ain’t (are not) –Put a damper in things (complicated)

Anthropomorphizing Do not give human traits or abilities to inanimate or non-human objects/creatures. Do not give human traits or abilities to inanimate or non-human objects/creatures. Do not write Do not write –The article shows...  Instead try...Deci and Ryan indicate –The research explains...  Instead...Pavlov explains

Removing Bias One must be conscientious of how individuals and groups are identified. One must be conscientious of how individuals and groups are identified. –Do not over generalize –Gender bias –Racial/Ethnicity bias –Mental health or disability status –Age