Yes, Grammar and Punctuation Count: Polishing your own skills and marking for grammar

Emmy MisserManager, Writing Centre Wilfrid Laurier University

What should you know about grammar?

According to Valwoord and Johnson, authors of Effective Grading, you should be able to identify the following error types:

1. End-of sentence punctuation run-on sentence, comma splice,

sentence fragment, or misused semi-colon

Error types continued

2. Verb form problems, confusing tense shifts

3. Subject-verb agreement errors4. Pronoun form ( I/me, who/whom

etc.)5. Pronoun agreement problems

(a student – they)6. Apostrophe use7. Dangling and misplaced modifiers

(my addition)

Why should you know about these grammar problems?

They are basic and fundamental to academic literacy

Your students therefore need to have these errors corrected to develop as writers

You need to be able to correct these errors in you own writing to develop as future academics

The possibility of making mistakes in identifying these errors has serious consequences

Punctuation Patterns:1. Independent clause.

Birds fly.2. Independent clause; independent clause.

Birds fly; fish swim.3. Independent clause; therefore, independent clause.

however, nevertheless, consequently, furthermore, moreover, etc.

Birds fly; however, fish swim.4. Independent clause, and independent clause.

but for nor so yet

Birds fly, and fish swim.

5. Clause/phrase/word , nonessential clause , clause/phrase/word.

6. Clause/phrase/word essential clause clause/phrase/word.

7. Dependent clause, independent clause. Because birds fly, they have hollow bones.

If , .Since , .When , .While , .Although , .After , .

8. Independent clause if independent clause.Birds fly if they have hollow bones.

No comma required here

Connecting Words + Punctuation

Coordinating Conjunction

Conjunctive Adverb

Subordinating Conjunction

and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet

however, thus, consequently..

because, if, when, while…

Use a comma Use a semi-colon or a period

Use a comma

Birds fly, but fish swim.

Birds fly; however, fish swim.

Because birds fly, they have hollow bones

Names of sentence types Simple sentence

Birds fly. Compound sentence

Birds fly; fish swim. Birds fly, and fish swim.

Complex sentence Because birds fly, they have hollow bones. The Cro-Magnons developed a spear-throwing device that

improved the range of their weapons by fifty yards. Compound-complex sentence

When banks lower the interest rates on loans, owners of small businesses can acquire capital for renovations of plants and equipment, or they can invest in new ventures that may prove highly profitable.

Names of main punctuation errors

Run-on Birds fly fish swim.

Comma splice (cs) Birds fly, fish swim.

Missing comma between two main clauses (cf) Birds fly and fish swim.

Missing comma after an introductory phrase or clause (p) Because birds fly they have hollow bones.

Comma between main sentence parts (bp) Birds, fly.

Commas around nonessential and essential word/phrase/clause

Amelia Earhart, who disappeared in 1937 during a round-the-world trip, set new speed records for long-distance flying in the 1930s. The finger/elimination test: Amelia Earhart set new speed records for long-

distance flying in the 1930s. √

A mind that is stretched never returns to its original dimensions. − A mind never returns to its original

dimensions. ?????

The grammar quiz:

Run-on/Comma splice Sentence fragments Subject-verb agreement Pronoun reference or pronoun agreement Pronoun case error Verb tense error – verb form Dangling modifiers and misplaced

modifiers Use of the apostrophe

Run-on Sentence # 2

A competent reader will understand a clear sentence on first reading various readers will understand what it means.

A competent reader will understand a clear sentence on first reading; various readers will understand what it means.

√A competent reader will understand a

clear sentence on first reading, and various readers will understand what it means.

√

Comma Splice # 4 In 1952 Japan's gross national product

was one third that of France, by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.

In 1952 Japan's gross national product was one third that of France. By the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.√

Sentence fragments # 16

Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.

Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the cloth contains the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East. √

Sentence fragment

I constantly use the spell check function on my computer. Because I am a bad speller.

I constantly use the spell check function on my computer because I am a bad speller. √

Because I am a bad speller, I constantly use the spell check function on my computer. √

Subject-verb agreement # 3

Writing well-researched, documented term papers are every student’s nightmare.

Writing well-researched, documented term papers is every student’s nightmare. √

Pronoun reference # 5

Because Senator Martin is less interested in the environment than in economic development, he sometimes neglects it.

Because of his interest in economic development, Senator Martin sometimes neglects the environment.

√

Pronoun Agreement # 6

Similarly, the social benefits of a new cancer drug will never be fully captured by a firm who produces it. They have no incentive to increase the amount of research and development they conduct.

Similarly, the social benefits of a new cancer drug will never be fully captured by a firm that produces it. The firm has no incentive to increase the amount of research and development it conducts. √

Pronoun case # 1

Castro's communist principles inevitably led to an ideological conflict between he and President Kennedy.

Castro's communist principles inevitably led to an ideological conflict between him and President Kennedy. √

Correct verb tense # 7

After I have finished my draft, I revised it until I found it satisfying and felt it was positive and concise.

After I had finished my draft, I revised it until I found it satisfying and felt it was positive and concise.√

Correct and consistent verb tense # 12

In her essay “On Going Home”, written in 1966, Joan Didion showed how she is paralyzed by her home and her past.

In her essay “On Going Home”, written in 1966, Joan Didion shows how she is paralyzed by her home and her past.

√

Correct verb form # 9

I should not have swam across the bay on such a windy day.

I should not have swum across the bay on such a windy day. √

Check irregular verb forms in a dictionary or a writing handbook.

Comma between parts # 14

Clarity, is very important in all academic writing.

Clarity is very important in all academic writing.√

Don’t automatically put a comma where you would draw a breath or pause when reading out loud.

Dangling modifiers # 13Fermenting in copper barrels, the

technician ran a check on the ethanol content of the mash. (Who is fermenting?)

Fermenting in copper barrels, the mash …√

The technician ran a check on the ethanol content of the mash fermenting in copper barrels. √

Placement changes meaning

Filed for later reference, the papers were added to the case records. What was filed for later reference?

The papers were added to the records filed for later references. And now?

Correct use of the apostrophe #11

The sociology student’s room was messy. (1)The sociology students’ lounge was full. (1+)Charles’ books were in the bag.The women’s studies group met last night.

ResourcesWalvoord, Barbara E. and Virginia

Johnson Andersen. Effective Grading: A Tool for Learning and

Assessment. San Fransico: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1998.

Writing Centre Website www.wlu.ca/writing

Grammar Links from the Writing Centre Website The Parts of Speech and their Function (WLU handout)

Verbs and Verb Look-Alikes (WLU handout)

Hit Parade of Errors in Style, Grammar, and Punctuation (University of Toronto)

Hypergrammar (University of Ottawa)

Guide to Grammar and Style (Rutgers University)

Style in Business Writing (WLU handout)

NASA's Handbook for Technical Writers

English as a Second Language (Purdue University)

Using Articles (University of Toronto)

Laurier Writing CentreWhat we offer:

• One-on-one writing consultations with trained tutors• Writing workshops at the undergraduate and graduate

level • Handouts, online writing resources, and resource library • Writing support for faculty and TAs

Visit the Writing Centre:• Location: DAWB 1-102• Appointments: ext. 2220 or learningservices@wlu.ca• Regular hours: daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.• Drop-in hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 4–8

p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m.• Website: www.wlu.ca/writing

Grant Proposal Workshops 2010 Writing the SSHRC, OGS, and NSERC Proposal for Psychology:

Friday, September 17th, 2:30-4:00 pm

Writing the SSHRC and OGS Proposal for Social Work: Tuesday, September 21st, 12:00-1:30 pm, Room 108, Social Work Campus

Writing the SSHRC, OGS, and NSERC Proposal for Geography: Thursday, September 23rd, 12:30-2:00 pm, BR 110, UW Campus

Writing the SSHRC and OGS Proposal for English: Friday, September 24, 12-1:30 p.m.

Writing the SSHRC and OGS Proposal for Arts and Humanities (all levels), Monday, Sept. 20th, 10:30 am-12:00 pm & Wednesday, September 22nd, 7:00-9:30 pm

Writing the NSERC and OGS Proposal for Math and Sciences (all levels), Wednesday, Sept. 22nd, 10:30 am-12:00 pm

See www.wlu.ca/writing for details

Undergraduate Workshops: Fall Term

Essay Writing 101

 Engaging with Arguments: Summary & Critique

The Thesis Statement

Using Sources in Academic Papers

The ‘A’ Paper

Essay-Style Exam Questions

All workshops are held on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

See www.wlu.ca/writing/workshops for details

Undergraduate Workshops: Winter Term

Essay Writing 101

Common Grammar Errors

Mastering Sentence Writing

Strong Thesis Statements & Argumentative Paragraphs

Effective Introductions & Conclusions

Essay-Style Exam Questions

All workshops are held on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

See www.wlu.ca/writing/workshops for details