The #1 cliché in undergraduate writing in English classes is that "the author sends a message." Authors are not radio stations they communicate complex ideas in complex ways. Trite language belongs to everybody and therefore to nobody in particular, especially not to you. Just write, for the above, Mary McGregory discusses the last act of Hamlet. But why does the reader need to know the title in any case? Include the title only if the location of the reference has something to do with your argument (e.g., if the author said one thing in a book, another in an article, or something like that). The reader can see that "The Triumph of Time" is an article (because the title is in quotes if it were a book, it would be in italics). Avoid using filler in your citations: e.g., In her article, "The Triumph of Time," Mary McGregory discusses the last act of Hamlet. Look at a citation style sheet and follow it carefully for books, articles, and websites. Please pay special attention to how you handle quoted material. Very often a sentence is marked "awkward" because it is too long the sentence can perhaps be divided into two sentences for clarity. Awkwardness usually indicates a gap in expectations between you and your reader, created when you say something you don't need to, or fail to say something you should, fail to explain something completely. Awkwardness is not only a matter of incorrect expression-although errors are awkward, of course. Sometimes a sentence is awkward because a key term is obscure-e.g., you write that "the poem follows a decision-type format." What is that supposed to mean? If you know what it is supposed to mean, then say it clearly. Watch collectives-e.g., the Socialist Party is "it" not "they" General Motors is "it" not “they.” Switches in tense are very annoying: "She drove to the mall and looks around for a store."Īwkward constructions contain errors in logic or are so imprecise that they can't be readily understood. Correction: Everyone should know what he or she wants. Example: Everyone should know what they want.
If you are using the singular, stick to it unless you have cause to switch to the plural. Problems marked with * will be especially important to correct.Ĭheck carefully for errors in agreement don't shift person (especially third person to second ) number, or tense, without reason. The corrections will be due one week after the date on which papers are returned. If you make satisfactory corrections to the problems singled out in comments at the end of the paper, the higher grade will be recorded if you do not make the corrections, the lower grade will be recorded. Your paper may have two grades, lower and higher.
You may be required to rewrite certain sentences showing that you understand and can make the necessary corrections. Check them and email any questions you have about how they apply to your work. QUESTIONS? Email J Heckman at are brief descriptions of common writing problems. A guide to modern English grammar is available.ĬITATIONS. Thanks to Professor Allen Frantzen for this extensive guide.
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