Grammar AP Style Review Today Grammar Review AP

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Grammar & AP Style Review

Grammar & AP Style Review

Today… Grammar Review AP Style Writing Process

Today… Grammar Review AP Style Writing Process

Word Choice Check the spelling and meaning of your words It’s/its Affect/effect See page

Word Choice Check the spelling and meaning of your words It’s/its Affect/effect See page 117 in your textbook

What’s wrong with these statements?

What’s wrong with these statements?

The building was totally destroyed.

The building was totally destroyed.

Their traditions are completely unique.

Their traditions are completely unique.

Both President Obama and Vice President Biden will attend.

Both President Obama and Vice President Biden will attend.

Avoid redundant words and empty phrases.

Avoid redundant words and empty phrases.

Be a wordsmith.

Be a wordsmith.

What’s wrong with this statement?

What’s wrong with this statement?

We were required to write a persuasive letter to raise money for a charity.

We were required to write a persuasive letter to raise money for a charity. You were graded on your application of persuasive writing principles.

Shift in Point of View We were required to write a persuasive letter to

Shift in Point of View We were required to write a persuasive letter to raise money for a charity. We were graded on our application of persuasive writing principles. You were required to write a persuasive letter to raise money for a charity. You were graded on your application of persuasive writing principles.

Point of View First Person Emphasizes the writer Second Person Emphasizes the reader Third

Point of View First Person Emphasizes the writer Second Person Emphasizes the reader Third Person Emphasizes the subject

What about this one?

What about this one?

She and her friends is at the fair. The books is in the drawer.

She and her friends is at the fair. The books is in the drawer.

Subject-Verb Agreement In the present tense, verbs agree with their subject in number and

Subject-Verb Agreement In the present tense, verbs agree with their subject in number and person.

Back to our example: She and her friends is at the fair. She and

Back to our example: She and her friends is at the fair. She and her friends are at the fair. The books is in the drawer. The books are in the drawer. The book is in the drawer.

Active/Passive Voice As a rule, use active verbs to express meaning more vigorously (A)

Active/Passive Voice As a rule, use active verbs to express meaning more vigorously (A) A surge of power was responsible for the destruction of the pumps. (B) A surge of power destroyed the pump. (C) The pumps were destroyed by a surge of power.

Active/Passive Voice (A) Burying nuclear waste in Antarctica violates an international treaty. (B) Burying

Active/Passive Voice (A) Burying nuclear waste in Antarctica violates an international treaty. (B) Burying nuclear waste in Antarctica would be a violation of an international treaty.

Active/Passive Voice (A) The debris was removed from the construction site. (B) The contractor

Active/Passive Voice (A) The debris was removed from the construction site. (B) The contractor removed the debris from the construction site.

Other Grammar Issues to Review Irregular Verbs Adjectives/Adverbs Using Modifiers Sentence Fragments and Run-On

Other Grammar Issues to Review Irregular Verbs Adjectives/Adverbs Using Modifiers Sentence Fragments and Run-On Sentences See Handout

AP Style

AP Style

Abbreviations & Acronyms Abbreviate Gov. , Lt. Gov. , the Rev. , Sen. ,

Abbreviations & Acronyms Abbreviate Gov. , Lt. Gov. , the Rev. , Sen. , Rep. , Dr. , Mrs. , and Ms. before a person’s name Use the context of the sentence as a guide for abbreviations In running text, use AP abbreviations for states not postal abbreviations Avoid alphabet soup

Addresses Use figures in addresses Ex: 605 Woodside Drive Abbreviate Ave. , Blvd, .

Addresses Use figures in addresses Ex: 605 Woodside Drive Abbreviate Ave. , Blvd, . & St. , and direction cues when used with a numbered address Ex: 101 N. Grant St. If the street is a number 1 -9 spell out, 10 th or higher use figures Ex: 101 First St. /101 S. 10 th St.

Ages Always use figures for ages The girl, 9, has a brother, 13. The

Ages Always use figures for ages The girl, 9, has a brother, 13. The student is 21 years old. When an age is an adjective or substitute for a noun, then it should be hyphenated A 21 -year-old student… Do not use apostrophes when describing an age range He is in his 30 s.

Books, Periodicals, Compositions Use quotation marks: books, songs, movies, TV shows, computer games, etc.

Books, Periodicals, Compositions Use quotation marks: books, songs, movies, TV shows, computer games, etc. “Breaking Bad”, “Suit and Tie”, “Candy Crush” Do not use quotation marks: magazine, newspapers, the Bible, or books that are catalogue reference materials The Washington Post, the Bible No italics

Dates, Months, Years, Days of Week Capitalize days of week but do not abbreviate

Dates, Months, Years, Days of Week Capitalize days of week but do not abbreviate Use figures with dates Do not use st, nd, rd, or th with dates (i. e. Sept. 1) Use comma to set off a year only Ex: Aug. 9/Aug. 9, 2013 Decades/centuries use “s” no apostrophe 1800 s Use an apostrophe before decade when numbers are left out The ‘ 80 s

Names First mention – use first and last names Second mention – use only

Names First mention – use first and last names Second mention – use only last name Do not use courtesy titles unless they are part of direct quotation or are needed to differentiate between people

Numbers Never begin a sentence with a number, unless it is a year. Ex:

Numbers Never begin a sentence with a number, unless it is a year. Ex: Two hundred seniors attended convocation. Ex: 1776 was an important year. Spell out numbers below 10 and use figures for 10 and above Ex: the woman had four children and 11 grandchildren.

Punctuation Single space after a period. Do not use a comma before a conjunction

Punctuation Single space after a period. Do not use a comma before a conjunction in a simple series. Ex: I like apples, oranges and grapes. Commas and periods go inside punctuation marks. Ex: “I did nothing wrong, ” he said. Ex: She said, “Let’s go to the softball game. ”

Cities and States Spell out a state when it stands alone Ex: He is

Cities and States Spell out a state when it stands alone Ex: He is from Mississippi. Use the AP state abbreviation when city and state are used. Ex: She is from Tuscaloosa, Ala. Also see AP Style for stand-alone cities.

Time Use figures for time, but spell out noon and midnight Ex: 1 p.

Time Use figures for time, but spell out noon and midnight Ex: 1 p. m. ; 3: 30 p. m.

Titles Capitalize formal titles when they appear before a person’s name but lowercase if

Titles Capitalize formal titles when they appear before a person’s name but lowercase if they are informal or appear without a name Ex: President Obama Ex: Robert Bentley, a governor from Alabama Ex: deputy secretary of homeland security

The Writing Process

The Writing Process

Step 1: Preliminary Questions What do you want the audience to do with the

Step 1: Preliminary Questions What do you want the audience to do with the message? Who is the audience? What are the audience’s needs, concerns, and interests? What is our message? Are we trying to inform or persuade? What communication channel(s) will be more effective? Who is our most believable spokesperson?

Step 2: Outline the Message Introduction: roadmap to the document (1) Most important point

Step 2: Outline the Message Introduction: roadmap to the document (1) Most important point (a) Supporting fact one (b) Supporting fact two (c) Supporting fact three (2) Second important point (a) Supporting fact one (b) Supporting fact two (c) Supporting fact three Conclusion: Summarize and tell them what to do

Step 3: Write the Message The outline should guide the writing process Get words

Step 3: Write the Message The outline should guide the writing process Get words on paper – you can write and revise later

Writing Mechanics Word Choice Be cognizant of your word choice Write to your audience

Writing Mechanics Word Choice Be cognizant of your word choice Write to your audience Use active voice and present tense

Writing Mechanics Sentences Keep sentences clear and concise Avoid long, compound sentences Keep sentences

Writing Mechanics Sentences Keep sentences clear and concise Avoid long, compound sentences Keep sentences 15 -17 words

Writing Mechanics Paragraphs Keep paragraphs short One paragraph = one main idea All sentences

Writing Mechanics Paragraphs Keep paragraphs short One paragraph = one main idea All sentences support that main idea 6 -8 typeset lines; lead paragraphs are even shorter

Editing Your Writing This is important. Very important.

Editing Your Writing This is important. Very important.

Editing Your Writing Rule Number 1: Pay attention to the details Rule Number 2:

Editing Your Writing Rule Number 1: Pay attention to the details Rule Number 2: Be prepared to go through several revisions

Steps to Editing Yourself as a Writer

Steps to Editing Yourself as a Writer

Step 1: Clean up the word count

Step 1: Clean up the word count

Step 2: Eliminate Jargon

Step 2: Eliminate Jargon

Step 3: Check for grammar and punctuation errors

Step 3: Check for grammar and punctuation errors

Step 4: Check for AP Style errors

Step 4: Check for AP Style errors

Step 5: Check the facts.

Step 5: Check the facts.

Step 6: Review your narrative

Step 6: Review your narrative

Common Errors to Avoid

Common Errors to Avoid

Pur Speling can cuz you too loose ur credability.

Pur Speling can cuz you too loose ur credability.

Avoid using jargon.

Avoid using jargon.

Poor Sentence Structure Police will be looking for people driving under the influence of

Poor Sentence Structure Police will be looking for people driving under the influence of alcohol and distributing pamphlets that spell out the dangers of drunken driving.

Poor Sentence Structure The proposed budget provides salary increases for faculty and staff performing

Poor Sentence Structure The proposed budget provides salary increases for faculty and staff performing at a satisfactory level of two percent.

Poor Sentence Structure The student was charged with possession and consumption of an opened

Poor Sentence Structure The student was charged with possession and consumption of an opened beer can, which is against university rules.

Be careful about your word choice

Be careful about your word choice

Don’t make a $10, 000 mistake like a pubic liberal arts college once made.

Don’t make a $10, 000 mistake like a pubic liberal arts college once made.

Proofreading Tips Read your word backwards. Read your work out loud. Always read a

Proofreading Tips Read your word backwards. Read your work out loud. Always read a printed version. Read the copy with a fresh perspective after taking a break. Don’t rely on spell check.

What’s wrong with these statements? The building was totally destroyed. Their traditions are completely

What’s wrong with these statements? The building was totally destroyed. Their traditions are completely unique. Both President Obama and Vice President Biden will attend.

During 2012, the corporation acquired 73 companies in 14 nations on five continents to

During 2012, the corporation acquired 73 companies in 14 nations on five continents to achieve revenue of $14. 65 billion, up $3 billion from the $11. 65 billion in 2011.

Writing with Numbers Use a comma to separate thousands (575, 000) and a decimal

Writing with Numbers Use a comma to separate thousands (575, 000) and a decimal to separate millions (3. 85 million) Provide a comparison to accompany the number Check your math Spell out percent Spell out numbers smaller than 10 Don’t use two numbers next to each other

“Our new handheld device is the next true revolution in man’s conquest of information.

“Our new handheld device is the next true revolution in man’s conquest of information. ”

Avoid stereotyping Don’t create bias Stay away from politically incorrect language

Avoid stereotyping Don’t create bias Stay away from politically incorrect language

Writing Mistakes to Avoid (A Summary) Spelling Jargon Poor sentence structure Wrong words/word choice

Writing Mistakes to Avoid (A Summary) Spelling Jargon Poor sentence structure Wrong words/word choice Redundancies Too many numbers Avoid hype, bias, stereotypes, and politically incorrect language