Eng101

Cleaning up messy writing

Cleaning Up Messy Writing

• Double talk

• Unnecessary words

• Unnecessary phrases

• Repetition

• Clichés

• Confusing Words

• Choose appropriate language

Double Talk

• Stop repeating yourself

The day was unforgettable. I will never forget it.

The day was unforgettable.

I woke up about midnight because of a loud sound that woke me up.

I woke up about midnight because of a loud sound.

Double Talk• Many expressions used in everyday speech are

redundantFirst time everSeparate out9PM in the eveningReturn againCompletely destroyedMix togetherAdvance warningTrue factEqually as importantUnexpected surprise

Double Talk• Many expressions used in everyday speech are

redundantMay possiblyRarely ever100% unanimousSo forth and so onOne and the sameEnd resultThis point in timeSum totalThe reason is becauseThe reason whyFinal outcome

Unnecessary words and phrasesI am sitting down on the chair.

Where else would you sit – up?

I am sitting on the chair.

Will you please go and get my cell phone for me?

Will you please get my cell phone for me?

I needed a new bookbag, and so my mom took me to buy one.

Only need one conjunction

I needed a new bookbag, and my mom took me to buy one.

Unnecessary words and phrasesI cleaned up all of my stuff.

Omit of

This is some kind of a zebra, but I can’t remember it’s name.

Omit a

The doctor stitched up my cut.

Omit up

I ate a half of my apple.

Omit a, of

We’re all out of toothpaste.

Omit all

Unnecessary words and phrases

At this point in time, I really think that I need to start getting more of some kind of physical exercise.

I need to exercise more.

There are times in this day and age when I really feel very strongly that people should give more assistance to those who are currently homeless and have no place to live.

I often feel strongly that we should assist the homeless more than we do.

Unnecessary words and phrasesAt that point in time – thenIt is my opinion that – I thinkAll of a sudden – suddenlyIn the event that, provided that, on the condition

that – ifDue to the fact that, the reason why is that –

becauseAs a matter of fact – in factIn spite of the fact that – althoughDuring the time that – whileNowadays, In this day and age – now, currently,

presently, today

Repetition

One thing that I would like to do would be to maybe be a pilot.

I might like to be a pilot.

I spoke to my dad on the phone, and when I told him where I was, I was mad that he was mad that I was where I was.

I spoke to my dad on the phone. When I told him where I was, he was angry – and that made me angry!

ClichesHungry as a bear

In a flash

Something fishy going on

Up to my ears

Just goes to show you

The moral of the story

Eat like a pig

Room to spare

Enough to choke a horse

Sick as a dog

Commonly Confused Words & Phrases

It may knot seam fare, but there are dozens of confusing pears of words in the English language, and writers often fowl up when using them. It happens all the thyme: we use won word when we mean another. We make word errors day and knight! Eye will give yew a peace of advice: reed your work carefully and bee alert four these sneaky critters. Goodness nose, I’d be embarrassed if I rote a paper with two many goofs! Aye no eye wood bee two, sew hears sum aide from mi too yew.

Commonly Confused Words & Phrases

Accept – except

Advice – advise

Alter – altar

Assure – ensure – insure

Bait – bate

Born – borne

Breath – breathe

Clinch – clench

Compliment – complement

Confident – confidant

Commonly Confused Words & Phrases

Emigrate – immigrate

Eminent – imminent

Envelope – envelop

Forward – foreword

Human – humane

Hurdle – hurtle

Intense – intensive

Later – latter

Moral – morale

Personal – personnel

Commonly Confused Words & Phrases

Prophecy – prophesy

Stationery – stationary

Track – tract

Yea (yes) – yeah (casual yes) – don’t use either in formal writing!

Choose Appropriate LanguageAvoid sexist language

– Chairman– Fireman– Mailman– Mankind– weatherman

When a student writes a paper, he must proofread carefully.When a student writes a paper, he/she must proofread carefully.• Rather than use too many he/she his/her, use pluralWhen students write their papers, they must proofread carefully.• Best to rewrite sentence to avoid problem completely

Choose Appropriate Language• Revise language that may offend groups of

people

North Dakota takes its name from the Indian word meaning “friend” or “ally.”

North Dakota takes its name from the Lakota word meaning “friend” or “ally.”

The good doctor’s newsletters…

• Watch his wording!

For Thursday…

• Newsletter #2 due

• Bring snacks!