Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook

Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
1

Topics Covered in Part IV:
A.
Grammar
1.
Fragments (slides 110-112)
2.
Run-ons (slides 113-115)
3.
Dangling or Misplaced Modifiers (slides 116-118)
4.
Active and Passive Verbs (slides 119-121)
5.
Shifting Verb Tense (slides 122-123)
6.
Subject-Verb Agreement (slides 124-126)
7.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement (slides 127-129)
8.
Gender-Neutral Language (slides 130-131)
photo by author, MD, Jan. 2009
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
2
A. Grammar:
1. Fragments
A fragment might appear as a sentence (an independent clause), but it does
not create a sentence. The subject, verb, or both are missing in a fragment.






Incorrect: Humor and tragedy in Angela’s Ashes.
Correct:
Correct:
Correct:
Frank McCourt included humor and tragedy in Angela’s Ashes.
Humor and tragedy are included in Angela’s Ashes.
Written with humor and tragedy, Angela’s Ashes was published
when the author Frank McCourt was 66.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
3

Correct the sentence fragments.
1.
This quote by Mark Twain: “You cannot depend on your eyes when your
imagination is out of focus.”
This quote is by Mark Twain: “You cannot depend on your eyes when your
imagination is out of focus.”
1.
2.
2.
While gazing at her sleeping puppy.
While gazing at her sleeping puppy, Jessica could not stop smiling.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the sentence fragments.
3.
3.
Chester even though he was tired.
Chester, even though he was tired, stayed awake to watch the lunar eclipse.
4.
4.
Because they did not eat breakfast.
They did not eat breakfast.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
2. Run-ons
Run-ons are punctuated as one sentence (an independent clause), but they
constitute two or more sentences.

Incorrect:
Mr. Morris is my daughter’s fourth-grade teacher before
teaching, he was a rodeo star for 20 years.

Correct:

Correct:

Correct:
Mr. Morris is my daughter’s fourth-grade teacher;
before teaching, he was a rodeo star for 20 years.
Mr. Morris is my daughter’s fourth-grade teacher,
but before teaching, he was a rodeo star for 20 years.
Mr. Morris is my daughter’s fourth-grade teacher.
Before teaching, he was a rodeo star for 20 years.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
6

Correct the run-on sentences.
1.
Emily Bronte's brother Branwell wrapped himself in a blanket and set it on
fire, Emily beat the flames out with her bare hands.
When Emily Bronte's brother Branwell wrapped himself in a blanket and set it
on fire, Emily beat the flames out with her bare hands.
1.
2.
2.
According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), tornadoes
typically occur from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., they could form at any time.
According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), tornadoes
typically occur from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. However, they could form at any time.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
7

Correct the run-on sentences.
3.
Eden listed to Mike, a fellow student in her English class, he discussed Isaac
Babel’s quote: “No iron can pierce the heart with such force as a period put just
at the right place.”
Eden listed to Mike, a fellow student in her English class. He discussed Isaac
Babel’s quote: “No iron can pierce the heart with such force as a period put just
at the right place.”
3.
4.
On February 2, 1887, people began the yearly tradition of traveling to Gobbler’s
Knob in Punxsutawney, PA, to witness if the groundhog would see his shadow if
his shadow is seen, six more weeks of cold winter weather could be expected.
4.
On February 2, 1887, people began the yearly tradition of traveling to Gobbler’s
Knob in Punxsutawney, PA, to witness if the groundhog would see his shadow; if
his shadow is seen, six more weeks of cold winter weather could be expected.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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

3. Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Dangling or misplaced modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that are not
properly connected to the subject that is being described (modified).
Incorrect:
Correct:
The children were eating peanuts wearing cute little hats.
The children wearing cute little hats were eating peanuts.

Incorrect:
Correct:

Incorrect:

Correct:
Pulling the key out of the ignition, the car immediately stopped.
Pulling the key out of the ignition, Marge felt the car
immediately stop.
He pleaded with his mother, “For Christmas, I don’t want any
other presents; I want the Lunch new Lady Action figure only!”
He pleaded with his mother, “For Christmas, I don’t want any
other presents; I only want the new Lunch Lady Action figure!”



Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
9

Correct the misplaced or dangling modifier errors.
1.
1.
Scratching his hairy back, the state governor watched the gorilla.
Scratching his hairy back, the gorilla was watched by the state governor.
2.
2.
We boiled the crabs sprinkling Old Bay seasoning in the pot.
Sprinkling Old Bay seasoning in the pot, we boiled the crabs.
3.
While reading my text messages as I crossed the street, I fell into the
manhole, and then almost sighed with relief.
While reading my text messages as I crossed the street, I almost fell into the
manhole, and then sighed with relief.
3.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
10

Correct the misplaced or dangling modifier errors.
3.
Watching her grandson Drew play the saxophone on the Greenville, South
Carolina stage, happiness filled her.
3.
Watching her grandson Drew play the saxophone on the Greenville, South
Carolina stage Theta was filled with happiness.
4.
In one of Mark Twain’s humorous but poignant anecdotes, he makes an
interesting point regarding the act of writing: “The difference between the
right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening
and the lighting bug.”
4.
correct
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
4.
Active and Passive Verbs
Typically, active verbs should be used when writing. Readers favor reading
active verbs because the writing is more direct.
 Active verbs emphasize what or who is performing the action.
 Active verbs cause the subject of the sentence to perform the action.
 Active: Victor Hugo wrote: “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”
 Passive: “He who opens a school door, closes a prison,” was written by
Victor Hugo.



If the emphasis should be placed on the receiver, passive verbs are used.
Passive verbs cause the subject of the sentence to receive the action.
 Passive: Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928.
 Active: In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Change the passive verbs to active verbs, and change the active verbs to
passive verbs.
1.
Anastasia and her son Sean viewed the giant toy-train display at the
community center.
At the community center, the giant toy-train display was viewed by Anastasia
and her son Sean.
1.
2.
2.
My sister says words from George Burns during every Thanksgiving meal:
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.”
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city”
are words from George Burns that are said by my sister during every
Thanksgiving meal.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
13

Change the passive verbs to active verbs, and change the active verbs to
passive verbs.
3.
Exhilarating spinning classes at the gym are taught by Janice and her
husband Joe.
Janice and her husband Joe teach exhilarating spinning classes at the gym.
3.
4.
4.
The Public Service Academy, a federally-subsidized undergraduate education,
focuses on developing leadership skills and public service knowledge.
Developing leadership skills and public service knowledge are focused on by
the Public Service Academy, a federally-subsidized undergraduate education.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
5.
Shifting Verb Tense

Shifting verb tense in a sentence is confusing to the reader because the time
an action or state occurs switches mid sentence.

Incorrect: Whenever Stanley eats an ice cream cone, he always thought
about having another one.

Correct: Whenever Stanley eats an ice cream cone, he always thinks about
having another one.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
15

Correct the shifting verb tense.
1.
As Fernando is driving the Schwan’s delivery truck up Ethel’s driveway, Ethel
peeked through the window curtains, removed the rollers from her graying hair,
and rubbed her wrists with her perfume concoction of Crisco and Marshmallow
Fluff.
As Fernando is driving the Schwan’s delivery truck up Ethel’s driveway, Ethel
peeks through the window curtains, removes the rollers from her graying hair,
and rubs her wrists with her perfume concoction of Crisco and Marshmallow Fluff.
1.
2.
2.
In 2007, the agriculture—rice, tea, rubber, spices, and coconut—is 12% of the
GDP in Sri Lanka.
In 2007, the agriculture—rice, tea, rubber, spices, and coconut—was 12% of the
GDP in Sri Lanka.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
6.
Subject-Verb Agreement

Make sure that the verb agrees with the sentence’s subject. The verb does
not have to agree with the words that come between the subject and verb.

Incorrect: The cupcakes on the kitchen table needs to have sprinkles.

Correct: The cupcakes on the kitchen table need to have sprinkles.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
17

Correct the subject-verb errors.
1.
The laughter from the three young men were heard throughout the
restaurant.
The laughter from the three young men was heard throughout the
restaurant.
1.
2.
2.
Polar bears, each with an elongated body shape, is the largest carnivore on
land.
Polar bears, each with an elongated body shape, are the largest carnivore on
land.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the subject-verb errors.
3.
Every one of the students have turned in his or her essay.
3.
Every one of the students has turned in his or her essay.
4.
4.
Spring is always Baba’s favorite season because she loved planting impatiens.
Spring is always Baba’s favorite season because she loves planting impatiens.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
7.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

An antecedent is the noun that the pronoun refers to in a sentence. Indefinite
pronouns are singular, and they require a singular antecedent.

Indefinite pronouns
anybody
each
everyone
nobody
somebody
anyone
either
everything
no one
someone
anything
everybody
neither
nothing
something

Incorrect:
Everybody should take their test at 10:00 a.m.

Correct:
Everybody should take his or her test at 10:00 a.m.

Correct:
All people should take their test at 10:00 a.m.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
20

Correct the pronoun-antecedent errors.
1.
1.
A doctor should always be polite to their patients.
Doctors should always be polite to their patients.
2.
Every visitor in New Orleans should visit Café Du Monde because they would
enjoy a steamy cup of café au lait and a sweet beignet.
Every visitor in New Orleans should visit Café Du Monde because he or she
would enjoy a steamy cup of café au lait and a sweet beignet.
2.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the pronoun-antecedent errors.
3.
3.
The teachers should provide detailed instructions for his or her students.
The teachers should provide detailed instructions for their student.
4.
4.
If anyone sees vandalism, they should contact the police.
If anyone sees vandalism, he or she should contact the police.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
8.
Gender-Neutral Language

The English language is always evolving. Changes occur as attitudes and perceptions shift in
society. It is not uncommon to have new entries added to the dictionary every year. As new
words and terms are created and become commonplace in everyday use, other words become
inappropriate and should not be used in academic essays. Use gender-neutral words:

Not Gender-Neutral
Gender-Neutral
 chairman
chairperson
 congressman
member of congress
 fireman
firefighter
 mankind
people, humans
 policeman
police officer
 weatherman
meteorologist
 woman doctor
doctor
 workman
worker
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the gender-neutral errors.
1.
A cashier at a shopping mall should always give her customer the right
amount of change.
A cashier at a shopping mall should always give the customer the right
amount of change.
A cashier at a shopping mall should always give his or her customer the right
amount of change.
1.
1.
2.
2.
According to Valerie Harper, who starred as Tallulah Bankhead in Looped,
Gossip Columnist Earl Wilson, possessing a high-pitched, squeaky voice,
phoned Tallulah; Earl asked Tallulah, known for her husky voice, if she‘d ever
been mistaken over the phone as a man. She answered, “No, have you?”
Correct
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the gender-neutral errors.
3.
Marie Curie, a female physicist and chemist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for
physics in 1903 and for chemistry in 1911.
Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics
in 1903 and for chemistry in 1911.
3.
4.
4.
Every politician should listen to all members of the community where he
lives.
Every politician should listen to all members of the community where he or
she lives.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
B. Punctuation and Mechanics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Commas (slides 111-117)
Semicolons (slides 118-120)
Colons (slides 121-123)
Quotation Marks (slides 124-130)
Parentheses (slides 131-133)
Dashes (slides 134-136)
Apostrophes (slides 137-139)
Ellipses (slide 140)
Brackets (slide 141)
Capitalization (slide 142)
Italicizing (slides 143-144)
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
1.
Commas

Commas are used to define pauses and aid the reader in understanding the
meaning of the sentence.

Without supplying a comma, one sentence could have different meanings:

Sentence:

Possible meaning: While driving, Cosmo Craig looked at the new bakery.

Possible meaning: While driving Cosmo, Craig looked at the new bakery.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
While driving Cosmo Craig looked at the new bakery.
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
After an introductory word or phrase, use a comma.

In the college’s English Department, Ann Marie always has a smile and is
ready to help students.


After Mrs. Peabody ate a bratwurst slathered with onions, she wanted to
window shop on Michigan Avenue and take an architectural tour of
Chicago by boat.
Before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that joins
two independent clauses, use a comma.

Due to an engine failure, Captain Sullenberger was forced to land the
plane in New York’s Hudson River, and because of this pilot’s quickthinking and expert flying skills, he saved all 155 passengers and crew
members aboard the flight.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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Between coordinate adjectives that refer separately to a noun and are not joined with
the word “and,” use a comma.


With a swift response, the hard-working, determined Coast Guard rescue swimmer
successfully pulled the man drowning near his overturned fishing boat to safety.
Between items in a series, a comma should be used.


Apparently, there are people who insist that SpongeBob, Tinky Winky, and Eeyore
all share a common interest.
Around adjective clauses beginning with a relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that)
or a relative adverb (when, where), use a comma.


Diane Rehm, who hosts one of NPR’s talk shows, always asks thought-provoking,
insightful questions from her guests.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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Around non-restrictive phrases (prepositional or verbal) that function as adjectives, use
commas.


Alyssa and Madelyn, Mrs. White’s daughters, were patiently waiting at the bus stop
for the school bus.
Before dialogue, use a comma.


Mia asked the pet store clerk, “Do you have any mentally-stimulating toys for my
pet toad?”
Around appositives, use a comma. An appositive renames the nearby noun.


Emily Bronte’s first and only novel, Wuthering Heights , was not well received when
it was first published in 1847.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the comma errors.
1.
Cher who is an Oscar award-winning actress and phenomenal singer played
the character Loretta in the movie Moonstruck.
Cher, who is an Oscar award-winning actress and phenomenal singer, played
the character Loretta in the movie Moonstruck.
1.
2.
2.
Dr. Chiara a talented surgeon and an esteemed educator consistently
maintains a positive rapport with his patients; Kim who is a nurse practitioner
excels in her ability to understand the needs of her patients.
Dr. Chiara, a talented surgeon and an esteemed educator, consistently
maintains a positive rapport with his patients; Kim, who is a nurse
practitioner, excels in her ability to understand the needs of her patients.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the comma errors.
3.
When I go to Southern Shores, I always bring Pop Tarts a big towel and my
cell phone.
3.
When I go to Southern Shores, I always bring Pop Tarts, a big towel, and my
cell phone.
4.
During spring semester the professor was delighted that her students worked
hard often contributed to the class discussions and really seemed to enjoy
learning.
4.
During spring semester, the professor was delighted that her students
worked hard, often contributed to the class discussions, and really seemed to
enjoy learning.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the comma errors.
5.
When I was an audience member of The Colbert Report I asked Mr. Stephen
Colbert before the show began “Who do you view as the most influential and
persuasive speaker of today?” and the political satirist answered “Me, of
course!”
5.
When I was an audience member of The Colbert Report, I asked Mr. Stephen
Colbert before the show began, “Who do you view as the most influential and
persuasive speaker of today?” and the political satirist answered, “Me, of
course!”
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
2.

Semicolons are used between two independent clauses when the ideas are
closely related. (If the ideas are not closely related, use a period.)


Semicolons
Bruce wants to surprise Jan by taking her on a week-long trip to the Outer
Banks in North Carolina; their children and grandchildren are waiting for
them at a beach house.
When a transitional expression, like a conjunctive adverb (certainly, also,
consequently, however, therefore, etc.), is between two independent clauses,
place a semicolon before and a comma after the transitional expression.

Emma keeps her friendly pet hamster in her bedroom; therefore, her
brother Henry claims he should have a pet lizard in his bedroom.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the semicolon errors.
1.
On Saturday at 10:00 a.m. sharp, my husband went out to the garage and
tuned the radio dial to Car Talk on NPR he spent most of the morning there,
tinkering with the engine in his ‘51 Studebaker.
On Saturday at 10:00 a.m. sharp, my husband went out to the garage and
tuned the radio dial to Car Talk on NPR; he spent most of the morning there,
tinkering with the engine in his ‘51 Studebaker.
1.
2.
2.
For dinner, Aunt Sylvia cooked her famous Hawaiian Rice Pilaf, however, her
nephew and niece ate most of rice before the evening meal.
For dinner, Aunt Sylvia cooked her famous Hawaiian Rice Pilaf; however, her
nephew and niece ate most of rice before the evening meal.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
35

Correct the semicolon errors.
3.
John Muir, naturalist and explorer, was born in Scotland his family moved to
Wisconsin when he was 11.
John Muir, naturalist and explorer, was born in Scotland; his family moved to
Wisconsin when he was 11.
3.
4.
4.
In 1892, the Sierra Club was founded by Muir and the people who supported
him, and he held the role as president until his death.
correct
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
3.

A colon can be used after an independent clause that introduces information.

Colons
For dinner, my girlfriend wants to serve the following: boiled shrimp, steamed
shrimp, fried shrimp, and barbequed shrimp.
A colon can be used before an appositive.


When I wake up in the morning, I only think of one thing: coffee.
A colon can be used after an independent clause that introduces a quotation.


Ponder the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing can bring you peace but
yourself.”
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the colon errors.
1.
In class, the professor used a quote from George Eliot in hopes that the
words would inspire students about the possibilities of tomorrow “It is never
too late to be what you might have been.”
1.
In class, the professor used a quote from George Eliot in hopes that the
words would inspire students about the possibilities of tomorrow: “It is never
too late to be what you might have been.”
2.
Dr. Who, a character in a British television program, has an unusual way to
travel through time a phone booth.
2.
Dr. Who, a character in a British television program, has an unusual way to
travel through time: a phone booth.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the colon errors.
3.
Staten Island, one of the five boroughs composing New York City, contains
many interesting locations to visit historical Fort Wadsworth, Snug Harbor
Cultural Center, the beaches at Great Kills Park, and the Staten Island Zoo.
3.
Staten Island, one of the five boroughs composing New York City, contains
many interesting locations to visit: historical Fort Wadsworth, Snug Harbor
Cultural Center, the beaches at Great Kills Park, and the Staten Island Zoo.
4.
For the surprise birthday party, we need the following items from the store
soda, chips, cupcakes, and a big rubber chicken.
4.
For the surprise birthday party, we need the following items from the store:
soda, chips, cupcakes, and a big rubber chicken.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
4.

Quotation marks should enclose spoken or written direct quotations.


“Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of
imagination,” wrote John Dewey.
Quotation marks are not needed around an indirect quote (your words
describing what someone else said).


Quotation Marks
John Dewey believed that scientific discoveries begin with a little
imagination.
Single quotation marks enclose a quotation within a quotation.

When Dad was cooking dinner, he called to his children, “Did you hear
your mother? She said, ‘Come downstairs and set the table!’ ”
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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4.
Quotation Marks

For MLA documentation, quotations that are longer than four lines should be
indented twice (10 spaces), and no quotation marks are needed around the
quote.

For APA documentation, quotations that are longer than 40 words are
indented twice (10 spaces), and no quotation marks are needed.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Quotation marks can specify a specific word when it is the focus.
 My daughter taped a note to her bedroom door saying that no one is
“aloud,” but she meant “allowed.”

Periods and commas go inside a quotation.
 “After we eat lunch,” Junior said to his girlfriend, “let’s walk to Grove
Street Park.”

After the documentation of a source in an essay, place the period outside the
parentheses.
 In the essay “A Shiner Like a Diamond,” David Sedaris writes about how
his father viewed his sons, “Because it was always assumed that we would
lead professional lives, my brother and I were free to grow as plump and
ugly as we liked” (133).
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Quotation marks should enclose titles of shorter works. Review the following
list:

Essays
Short Stories
Newspaper Articles






Songs
Poems
Television episodes
Chapters in a book
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
“Santaland Diaries” by David Sedaris
“Eleonora” by Edgar Allen Poe
“A Visit to Mount Vernon: The Builder of a
Nation also Designed One of Its Most
Beautiful Homes” in Chicago Tribune
“Witch Hunt” by Rush
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William
Wordsworth
“Rock Bottom” from SpongeBob
“Our Schools and Our Children” in Lives on the
Boundary by Mike Rose
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
43

Correct the quotation mark errors.
1.
Maria said to her brother, Do you remember our babysitter? When she saw
me, she said, Oh my heavens, Maria! Look how you’ve grown!
Maria said to her brother, “Do you remember our babysitter? When she saw
me, she said, ‘Oh my heavens, Maria! Look how you’ve grown!’ ”
1.
2.
2.
The words affect and effect can be confused with each other.
The words “affect” and “effect” can be confused with each other.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the quotation mark errors.
3.
The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil, Ralph Waldo Emerson
wrote.
“The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil,” Ralph Waldo Emerson
wrote.
3.
4.
4.
According to Plato, Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools,
because they have to say something.
According to Plato, “Wise men talk because they have something to say;
fools, because they have to say something.”
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Correct the quotation mark errors.
5.
For Valentine’s Day, my husband bought me the X-Files episode The PostModern Prometheus.
For Valentine’s Day, my husband bought me the X-Files episode “The PostModern Prometheus.”
5.
6.
6.
Catherine stood in front of her 10th grade English class, and said, “My
favorite poem is ‘The Unsent Letter,’ written by Native American poet Susan
Marie Smith-Kennedy.”
correct
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
5.
Parentheses

Parentheses are used for additional information that adds to a sentence,
and parentheses are used for numbers or letters in a series.

At work, I always make myself a cup of hot Earl Grey tea before I begin
my morning routine (answer e-mail, check voice messages, and avoid
that annoying guy in the nearby cubicle who tries to sell me his
timeshare).

Before she married Chris, Pat planned to (1) graduate from college, (2)
own a home, and (3) have the means to enjoy vacations elsewhere than
her parents’ backyard.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
47

Correct the parentheses errors.
1.
When we go camping this summer, my dad thought we should pack these
three items: 1 battery-operated radio, 2 matches, and 3 the Bear-Be-Gone
spray.
When we go camping this summer, my dad thought we should pack these
three items to make our trip safe: (1) battery-operated radio, (2) matches,
and (3) the Bear-Be-Gone spray.
1.
2.
2.
Despite her lack of sleep she had worked all through the night on
environmental policy, Amy attended Evan’s evening lecture on issues
pertaining to the arctic.
Despite her lack of sleep (she had worked through the entire night on
environmental policy), Amy attended Evan’s evening lecture on issues
pertaining to the arctic.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
48

Correct the parentheses errors.
3.
Using the new kayak, Eric found the Chesapeake Bay his favorite place to
relax easier to navigate.
Using the new kayak, Eric found the Chesapeake Bay (his favorite place to
relax) easier to navigate.
3.
4.
4.
Looking at his cell phone, Edmond mumbled under his breath his words were
the opposite of polite as he read the text message from Bartholomew.
Looking at his cell phone, Edmond mumbled under his breath (his words
were the opposite of polite) as he read the text message from Bartholomew.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
49

6.
Dashes

Two hyphens create a dash; there is no space before or after the dash. Use dashes for
emphasis, for appositives that contain commas, or a significant change in tone.

The date had passed when she should have received an acceptance or denial letter
from the university, and then the a letter of acceptance finally arrived—certainly
good news!

The silly antics of the SpongeBob characters—SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward,
Plankton, and Mr. Crabs—typically cause kids, and adults as well, to laugh.

Since the volleyball was coming directly at me, I made a fist to pound the ball over
the net—completely missed the ball, but my fist hit my face, and I broke my own
nose.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
50

Correct the dash errors.
1.
Chloe was ready for her first day of kindergarten—a box of Crayons in one
hand and her Snow White lunch box in the other.
Chloe was ready for her first day of kindergarten—a box of Crayons in one
hand and her Snow White lunch box in the other.
1.
2.
2.
Carl wanted to mail a gag wedding gift to his ex-wife and her new husband
not the brightest idea.
Carl wanted to mail a gag wedding gift to his ex-wife and her new husband—
not the brightest idea.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
51

Correct the dash errors.
3.
While Vallerie quilts decorative blankets, Chris is in the woodshop crafting the
wood into detailed products furniture, toys, even cribbage boards.
While Vallerie quilts decorative blankets, Chris is in the woodshop crafting the
wood into detailed products—furniture, toys, even cribbage boards.
3.
4.
4.
The ‘50 Chevy Styleline Special was parked in the otherwise empty garage
patiently waiting to feel a foot on its pedal.
The ‘50 Chevy Styleline Special was parked in the otherwise empty garage—
patiently waiting to feel a foot on its pedal.
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
7.

An ‘s is added after a singular possessive noun that ends in an s.


Apostrophe
Marcus’s dorm room has a mini-fridge.
An ‘s is added at the end of a plural possessive noun.

Cletus wore a t-shirt that read: What about Men’s Rights?
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Possessive nouns joined by and should add ‘s at the end of the last noun;
this will show joint ownership.

Jennifer and Sharon’s new home could easily be defined as an
environmentally-friendly mansion.
 Possessive nouns joined by or should both have ‘s ; this will show individual
ownership.

Do you want to try Felisha’s or Jason’s homemade lasagna?
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
54

Correct the apostrophe errors.
1.
Molly told her fellow classmates in the 1st grade class that her Uncle Charles
beard magically turns green every St. Patrick’s Day.
1.
Molly told her fellow classmates in the 1st grade class that Uncle Charles’s
beard magically turns green every St. Patrick’s Day.
2.
Phillip wondered which celebrity or politician would cause the next fiasco that
would hold the publics attention.
2.
Phillip wondered which celebrity or politician would cause the next fiasco that
would hold the public’s attention.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
55

Correct the apostrophe errors.
3.
Wilma’s and Fred’s apartment in Boulder, Colorado, looks small on the
outside, but it is actually quite large inside.
Wilma’s and Fred’s apartment in Boulder, Colorado, looks small on the
outside, but it is actually quite large inside.
3.
4.
4.
Since they each own a boat, I thought we could use either Sylvia’s or Heino’s
boat for a ride along the mighty Columbia River.
correct
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
56

8.

The ellipsis is three spaced periods (…) used to show that you have removed
words from a direct quotation.

Ellipsis Marks
Mr. Sutton, who worked as a military physical therapist for 20 years and is
now a personal trainer, instructs his clients that “correctly exercising an
injured muscle is paramount. The wrong exercise will not alleviate the
pain…in fact, the wrong exercise may cause more injury.”
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Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
57
The ellipsis can also indicate thoughts that are unfinished, hesitation, and

interrupted dialogue.

As Henry was drifting off to sleep, he softly said, “The Transformer
Optimus Prime is the most…”

“Okay, sure, I’ll watch that movie…no, wait, I really want to see The Blues
Brothers!”

“Help!” Bertha Butterball yelled while pointing up at a tree. “My cat Mr.
Nubbins…” Her neighbor Derwood Dishwater interrupted her by saying,
“Don’t worry. I’ll get my ski pole.”
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
58

Create the ellipsis.
Remove a portion of the text, and rewrite using ellipsis marks.
1.
In To Breathe the Sky, Grace Takahashi discusses a family’s experience as the
government forces the family into a Japanese Interment Camp during WWII:
“At 6 a.m., on February 24, we are ordered to get up and start packing; we
put our suitcases in a corner of the large room; we then stand in line to get
our last breakfast at the Multnomah County Jail. The food I have finally
grown accustomed to will not go down my throat.”
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
59

This is an example of a correct answer (there can be other correct answers):
1.
“At 6 a.m., on February 24, we are ordered to get up and start packing…we
then stand in line to get our last breakfast at the Multnomah County Jail. The
food I have finally grown accustomed to will not go down my throat.”
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
60

9.
Brackets

Brackets are used to add your words to quoted material. You add words to
make the meaning of the quotation more understandable to the reader.

Quoted in the Washington Post, Simon Baron-Cohen, director of
Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, said, “They [children with autism]
often enjoy vehicles, particularly those that move predictable along tracks,
such as cable cars and trains” (Saslow F4).
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
61

Insert brackets where they are needed.
1.
Elwood watched as his professor held a small book and began to read. He
recorded her exact words:
“The story says, ‘It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is
essential is invisible to the eye.’ ”
Note: Name of the story is The Little Prince.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
62
1.
“The story [The Little Prince] says, ‘It is only with the heart that one can
see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’ ”
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
10. Capitalizations

Capitalize proper nouns; do not capitalize common nouns. Following is a list:
Common Nouns
Proper Nouns

month
October

grandmother
Nana

large building
Pittock Mansion

antibiotic
Levaquin

a computer network
Google

a dentist
Dr. Biegeleisen

a university
College of Staten Island

biology
Biology 101

justice
J ustice Sonia Sotomayor
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
64

Correct the capitalization errors.
1.
Chicago has the famous billy goat taven, which is where the newspaper Chicago
tribune columnist Mike Royko used to eat, had the goat that caused the supposed
curse of the cubs, and was based as the idea behind the saturday night live
“Cheezborger, cheezborger” skit.
1.
Chicago has the famous Billy Goat Tavern, which is where Chicago Tribune columnist
Mike Royko used to eat, had the goat that caused the supposed curse of the Cubs and
was based as the idea behind the Saturday Night Live “Cheezborger, cheezborger” skit.
2.
Eden said to her best friend, “I’ve been accepted to the university in Farmville,
Virginia!”
2.
correct
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
65

11. Italicizing

Italicize the following:

book titles
Wuthering Heights

films
Caddyshack

television programs
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

plays
Avenue Q

comic strips
Pearls Before Swine

works of visual art
Monet’s Water Lilies

magazines
Professional Mariner

newspapers
New York Times
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
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
Italicizing
ProQuest
Hamsterz Life
Moving Pictures
Queen Mary 2
Je ne sais quoi
Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor
Paradise Lost

electronic databases

electronic games

musical compositions

Ships

foreign words

radio programs

long poems

Note: You do not need to use italics with the Bible or legal documents,
such as the Bill of Rights.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education
Part IV: The Writer’s PPT Handbook
67

Correct the italicized errors.
1.
While my mom was listening to the radio show Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me, she wouldn’t
let me turn on the sound for the video game Gears of War.
1.
While my mom was listening to the radio show Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me, she wouldn’t
let me turn on the sound for the video game Gears of War.
2.
After we watched the movie Halloween, Shannon, Jim, and I sat at the kitchen table,
and by candlelight, we each took turns reading Edgar Allan Poe’s short story Raven.
2.
After we watched the movie Halloween, Shannon, Jim, and I sat at the kitchen table,
and by candlelight, we each took turns reading Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “Raven.”
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education