Nancy MarenickThe Writing Centre

867-5221

Nancy MarenickThe Writing Centre

867-5221

The Writing Process The Writing Process

http://people.stfx.ca/nmarenic/

The Writing Process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-

85-j7Nr9i4&feature=related

Simple Thesis StatementSimple Thesis Statement

Make a statement

Beowulf is a true epic hero while Satan is not BECAUSE, BY. or TO Defend / support your statement

1) Beowulf is this, this, and this2) Satan on the other hand is not

2000 words8 to 10 pages

clear, concise

reflectproject

Connection and Relevance

Citing SourcesCiting Sources

http://www.mystfx.ca/resources/writingcentre/MLA%20Templates_May28.2010.pdf

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Parenthetical ReferencesParenthetical References

Prose:

Author page

Smith argues that “………..” (32).

The colour black is used to symbolize death (Smith 32)..

Poetry:

Author line

Beowulf confronts his enemy saying “ ……………….” (32/33).

The poet confronts his enemy saying, “. . . . “ (Beowulf 32/33).

Word Variety Word Variety

The narrator says, “ ……”

The narrator agrees

argues ….

asserts ….

demonstrates ..

defends …..

disagrees …….

notes ……

states ……

Boring, Overu

sed

Introducing QuotationsIntroducing Quotations

Smith concludes, “The solution is elusive; years of research are still required” (32).

Use a comma

after a verb

that introduces

a quotation.

Introducing QuotationsIntroducing Quotations

Smith emphasizes the need for patience, noting that “. . . years of research are still required” (32)..

Use NO punctuation

if the introductory phrase ends with “that.”

Introducing QuotationsIntroducing Quotations

Smith implies that the answer will not come quickly: “The solution is elusive; years of research are still required” (32).

Use a colon after a complete sentence

that introduces a quotation.

Integrating Integrating

The tension builds when Brutus accuses Cassius of accepting bribes. He states, “Let me tell you Cassius …..” (4.3.9-11).

The tension builds when Brutus accuses Cassius of accepting bribes: “Let me tell you Cassius …..” (4.3.9-11).

Stronger, more direct

Integrating Integrating

The Duke, disguised as a friar, gets a woman named Mariana to take Isabel’s place. This is one example of how the Duke plans just as a director would do.

The Duke, disguised as a friar, gets a woman named Mariana to take Isabel’s place. Here the Duke acts like a skilled director.

Sharper, less wordy

IntegratingIntegrating

The narrator refers to the Squire as “ A lovere and a lusty bachelor” (Chaucer 80).

Quote

fragments

and

integrate

into the text.

No TransitionsNo Transitions

Readers have trouble following your organization or train of thought.

You tend to write the way you think.

Write in “chunks”

Group paper http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html

Types of TransitionsTypes of Transitions

Transitions between sections

Transitions between paragraphs

Transitions within paragraphs

http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/kit/grammar-transitional.pdf

The poet uses the colour red to emphasize the lust between the knight and his mistress, Smith also uses images of black to show fear and tension.

Run-ons and Comma SplicesRun-ons and Comma Splices

__________________ . _________________

__________________ , and ______________

__________________ ; _________________

__________________ ; however, _________

Complete sentence Complete sentence

_ . _ . _ . _ ._ . _ , _________________Phrase complete sentence

The poet uses … . Smith also uses … .

The poet uses … , and Smith also uses …

The poet uses … ;Smith also uses … .

The poet uses … ; however, Smith also … .Although the poet uses … , Smith also … .

SolutionsSolutions

Common ErrorsCommon Errors

About one in ten of us are blessed with a variant that promotes a log-like slumber.

Common ErrorCommon Error

There’s many reasons for this effect.

SolutionsSolutions

There are many reasons for this effect.

Many reasons for this effect are …..

Smith discussed many reasons for this effect including …..

Common ErrorCommon Error

The group presented their report.

Wordiness…………..SolutionWordiness…………..Solution

It is evident that there are restrictions on the movement of fish in low-water temperatures……

The evident restrictions on the movement of fish in low-water temperatures are ……

Sentence StructureSentence Structure

When the final choice was made.

Jamie won when the final choice was made.

When the final choice was made, only 50% of the students had voted.

Sentence StructureSentence Structure

They came with a proposal for the new research project. A proposal too good to refuse.

They came with a proposal for the new research project, a proposal too good to refuse.

Affect/EffectAffect/Effect

Affect = Action = Verb

The researchers’ results affected later studies.

Effect = Result = Noun

The effect of the drums added suspense.

Then/ThanThen/Than

He ran faster th_n his friend.

He ran faster than his friend.

Th_n she went to the store.

Then she went to the store.

comparison

sequence

Apostrophes and PossessivesApostrophes and Possessives

In the 1990’s, In the 1990s

The poets poem The poet’s poemThe childrens poems The children’s

poems

The poems are The poems are

Misplaced/Dangling ModifiersMisplaced/Dangling Modifiers

The professor posted the notes for the students covered in class. I shot a bear in my pajamas.Barbara’s husband walked the dog, who had worked until 8 p.m.Yesterday I found a five-dollar bill walking behind the school.

More Misplaced/Dangling ModifiersMore Misplaced/Dangling Modifiers

I like to listen to rock music doing my homework. Swinging wildly through the trees, the children were delighted by the monkeys.

Writing TipsWriting Tips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWsvguLz0Zk&feature=related

The Writing CentreThe Writing Centre

To make an appointment

Call

867-5221