Proofreading and Editing Warm-up From the website: Rules for Good Writing

http://www.smcm.edu/users/mstaber/writgood.htm

Rules for Writing Good 1. 2. 3. 4.

Subject and verbs has always to agree Make each pronoun agree with their antecedent. Being bad grammar, the writer should not use dangling participles. Don't write run-on sentences, they are hard to read and punctuate them properly. 5. Don't use no double negatives, not never. 6. Don't use mixed metaphors because they are a pain in the neck and should be thrown out the window. 7. Make sure to understand that a writer when he is writing something should not get accustomed to the habit of making use of too may redundant words that he does not actually really need in order to put his message across to the reader of what he has written. 8. About sentence fragments. Not good to use. 9. Try not to ever split infinitives. 10. Don't use a foreign word when there is an adequate English quid pro quo. 11. If you do use a foreign word phrase, it is de rigor to use it correctly. 12. It behooves the writer in his epistles to avoid archaic expressions. 13. Don't use hyperbole unless you're the one writer in a million who can use it effectively. 14. Avoid cliches like the plague. 15. But, don't use commas, ever, when they are not necessary, or important. 16. Don't abbrev. unless nec. 17. Proofread carelessly to avoid mistrakes.

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Proofreading and Editing Work Sheet for Big Dog’s Grammar Go to the website

http://www.gabiscott.com/bigdog/

I Parallel Structure Select “Parallel Structure” from the list of content areas. Read the brief explanation. Click on the “Self-Test” at the bottom of the page. The first four sentences require you to select the correct sentence by clicking in the box next to the sentence of your choice for correct answer. Submit the answer for each sentence. The next four sentences require you to fill in the necessary information to make the sentence parallel.

Record any sentences which you answered incorrectly.

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2)

3)

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Proofreading and Editing Record any sentences which you find confusing regardless of whether you answered correctly or incorrectly.

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2)

3)

Click the return button at the bottom of the page to take you back to the explanation screen. Select “Consistency” from the drop-down search box next to Big Dog’s head.

II Consistency

Read the explanation and examples of consistency. Click on the “Self-Test” at the bottom of the screen. Complete the sentences or choose the correct sentence as required as you did in the previous exercise.

Record any sentences which you answered incorrectly. 1)

2)

3)

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Proofreading and Editing Record any sentences which you find confusing regardless of whether you answered correctly or incorrectly.

1)

2)

3)

Return to the explanation screen and choose “Active / Passive Construction”.

III Active / Passive Construction Read the explanation and examples of active and passive construction. Click on the “Self-Test” at the bottom of the screen and complete the sentences or choose the correct sentence accordingly.

Record any sentences which you answered incorrectly.

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2)

3)

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Proofreading and Editing

Record any sentences which you find confusing regardless of whether you answered correctly or incorrectly.

1)

2)

3)

(You

are now ready for advanced level exercises.)

Go to the website

http://cctc.commnet.edu/grammar/

Parallel Structure In the drop-down menu of the category “Ask Grammar, Quizzes, Search Devices”, select the category “170 + Interactive Quizzes”. In the drop-down menu under “Guide to Grammar and Writing”, select the category “Parallel Structures”. Read the explanation and examine the examples given. Try the first Quiz on Parallel Structures. Record any sentences which you answered incorrectly. 1)

2)

3)

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Proofreading and Editing Record any sentences which you find confusing regardless of whether you answered correctly or incorrectly.

1)

2)

3)

Now try the second Quiz on Parallel Structure. This quiz requires you to type in the correct answers. Print your responses when you have finished!

Passive Voice Versus Active Voice Click on the “menu” button on the lower left portion of your screen. From the list of topics, click on “Passive Voice (in verbs)”. Read the explanation of “Passive and Active Voices”.

Click on the “Quiz” button at the bottom of the screen. This exercise requires you to type in the correct responses. Print your completed exercise!

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Proofreading and Editing

Homework Assignment: 1) Write 3 sentences of your own that illustrate good use of the concept “consistency”.

2) Write 3 sentences of your own using “parallel construction”.

3) Write 3 sentences in the “Active Voice”---. Rewrite each of these 3 sentences in the “Passive Voice” (Note: your sentence pairs should contain the following: –1 sentence in present tense active voice and passive voice, 1 sentence in past tense passive voice and active voice, and 1 sentence in present perfect passive voice and active voice.

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Proofreading and Editing Student Assessment (Circle yes or no if the question is a yes/no question. Write any comments or explanations where instructed.) 1. Do you think the exercises adequately demonstrated the concepts covered? Yes / No Explain.

2. Do you find this method of learning grammar and construction principles preferable to classroom lecture and book exercises? Yes No Explain.

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3. Are there any areas that are still unclear and in which you need further explanation and practice? Explain.

4. Were these computer lessons/quizzes helpful to you for the proofreading / editing process? Cite 2 examples of poor construction in these 3 areas (or other areas) which you found during peer editing sessions.

5. Would you be interested in learning other aspects of grammar mechanics and usage in this manner? Yes / No Explain.

6. How likely are you to review other aspects of grammar, style, usage and construction in this manner on your own?

7. Would you feel comfortable using these websites and others as resources to assist you when writing?

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