1. Q1E4 GOALS

2. Still in Effect: Dead Words
Eliminate these from your essay.
They are not specific, and they detract from clarity.
Carefully consider more specific words.

3. Still in Effect: Comma + CC Rule
You must be joining two complete sentences in order to deploy this rule correctly.
Consider replacing comma + cc with only a semicolon IFF* the relationship between the two sentences is clear.
Look closely at your use of coordinating conjunctions; work hard on this. (Did you notice that the preceding sentence correctly deploys a semicolon?)
*IFF = if and only if (This is used in the field of logic.)

4. Clarification: B1 and B2 Transitions Sentences
Use an appropriate transition to start your B1 and B2 transition sentences (offered at the end of each paragraph).
This will assure coherence and will actually make the sentences function as transitions.
Consider words or phrases like thus, clearly, or not surprisingly.
Whatever you use, be sure it makes sense based on what you have written!

5. Still in Effect: Subordinating Conjunction Rule
If you begin a sentence with a subordinate clause, you must place a comma at the end of that clause.
Subordinate clauses ALWAYS begin with a subordinating conjunction.
Common subordinating conjunctions are the following: because, when, if, since, although, and unless.
WATCH OUT: If you join two sentences with a comma + cc, you must watch for the SC rule in the SECOND SENTENCE, too.
I studied hard, so when I arrived, I felt confident.
WATCH OUT: Many times, once = when.
Once we finally arrived, we trudged to our hotel room and ordered room service.

6. Still in Effect: Q1E1 + Q1E2 + Q1E3 Issues
Refer to the feedback for these essays (posted on my web site at the Essay Feedback link).
You are responsible for adhering to those standards.

7. STILL IN EFFECT: CC + COMMA Rule Exception
I knew that I was exhausted and I would soon sleep deeply.
This really means I knew that I was exhausted and that I would soon sleep deeply. (Thus, no comma is used since that keeps the second part from being a complete sentence – even though the word was not actually typed.)
That is not the only word to cause this issue, so be careful. Think about your writing.

8. STIILL IN EFFECT: Eliminate Contractions
In formal writing, contractions are not allowed. Eliminate them.

9. STILL IN EFFECT : Interrupters
When you drop a word or phrase into the midst of ONE sentence to interrupt the train of thought, set it off with a comma (or two – depending on placement).
(Eliminating an interrupter leaves only ONE sentence; that is how you know a word is acting as an interrupter.)
Though and however can be used this way, and they typically are.
ex. I was startled, though, because I had seen a ghost.
ex. The answer, however, was still unclear to me.
ex. The flight attendant was kind, though.

10. STILL IN EFFECT: Placement of ONLY
Place the word only as close as possible to the word or phrase modified.
Note the different meanings created by various placements of only in the sentences below.
Only John hit Peter in the nose.
John hit only Peter in the nose.
John hit Peter only in the nose.
John only hit Peter in the nose.

11. CHALLENGE: semicolons
Use a semicolon to join two complete sentences that are closely related.
Divers searched for bodies; no survivors were found.
If you begin the second sentence with a word that helps explain the connection, that word needs a comma to its right. Choose such words from the conjunctive adverbs listed in the room.
Divers believed they would find survivors; however, none were located.
Mr. Alig studied hard for his exam; consequently, he did well.
Try it! No points deducted if you use incorrectly or botch it in some way.

12. CHALLENGE (UPDATED): colons
Use a colon to join one complete sentence (used to the left of the colon) to a word, phrase, or second complete sentence that explains some aspect of the first sentence in more detail.
Normally (not always), you can replace because with a colon, but be sure it does not sound clunky or create confusion for the reader.
I was frightened beyond belief: I had just seen a ghost.
The students worked hard: they were determined to please their teacher.
We worked for one goal: higher grades.
The butler cares about only one issue: cleanliness.
Try it! No points deducted if you use incorrectly or botch it in some way.

13. CHALLENGE: participials and appositives
If you use such phrases, underline each phrase in your essay.
Underline ONLY the phrase – not the entire sentence.
Try it! No points deducted if you use incorrectly or botch it in some way.
The informational handout is posted under Q1E4 Handouts on my web page.

14. Q1E4 NEW CHALLENGE: not only…but also
This pair of phrases is ONE conjunction.
Avoid starting sentences with not only. It always leads to clunky sentence structure.
If you use not only, you MUST follow up with but also (not just but).
You must join words that are the same part of speech.
Be very careful about placement of each half of the conjunction: place the not only and the but also right next to the particular quality each describes.
See the next slide for examples and a web link with a short yet informative explanation.

15. Q1E4 NEW CHALLENGE EXAMPLES: not only…but also
WRONG: Not only was I frightened, I was angry, too.
RIGHT: I was not only frightened but also angry.
Note that I used words that are the same part of speech (an adjective) to the right of each part.
Note that I kept the not only together and the but also together.
WRONG: The essay was not only cogent but it also flowed well.
RIGHT: The essay was not only cogent but also coherent.

16. Q1E4 NEW CHALLENGE EXAMPLE: possessives used with gerunds (–ing verbs acting like nouns)
Use a possessive pronoun when a gerund follows.
Here’s a trick: Think of the phrase “act of” between the pronoun and the gerund. If it makes sense with that phrase added in, you’re using the correct pronoun.
WRONG: Me playing the horn disturbed my neighbors.
RIGHT: My playing the horn disturbed my neighbors.
Think: My act of playing the horn disturbed my neighbors.
WRONG: Us getting to the theater late meant that we missed the previews.
RIGHT: Our getting to the theater late meant that we missed the previews.
Think: Our act of getting to the theater late meant that we missed the previews.

17. Q1E4 NEW CHALLENGE: words referred to as words
Any time you refer to a word as a word, italicize it.
Do not identify the word as a word; the italics takes care of that.
WRONG: I saw the word “Hello” etched into the glass.
RIGHT: I saw Hello etched into the glass door.
WRONG: On the shirt appeared the word “Elder.”
RIGHT: On the shirt appeared Elder.