Common Errors In Writing Most Common Errors Point

Common Errors In Writing

Most Common Errors • • • Point of View Shifts in Point of View and Tenses Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Pronoun Reference Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

Point of View POV • 1 st person I • 2 nd person You • 3 rd Person Nouns Focus On Writer On Reader On Subject

Shifts • Point of View Shifts I: The most important decision I make is my career choice. You need to pick a career that you like. C: The most important decision I make is my career choice. I need to pick a career that I like.

Shifts • Tense Shifts – I: Telephone marketers always call when we were eating. – C: Telephone marketers always called when we were eating. – C: Telephone marketers always call when we are eating.

Pronoun/Antecedents • Pronouns take the place of nouns(antecedents) • Pronouns must agree in person and number (singular or plural) I: A teacher should explain their assignments. C: Teachers should explain their assignments.

Pronoun Reference • Avoid Vague Pronouns – This, that, or which - should have a specific noun that it replaces – You, it, or they - should have a specific noun that it replaces I: In Hollywood, they don’t know what movies to make. They = ? Movie directors I: It is well known that sunscreen prevents skin cancer. It = ?

Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions • FANBOYS - For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so • These words connect two independent clauses. • Always us a comma before a coordinating conjunction. • I like ice cream, and I eat it everyday.