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Here are the top 10 mistakes we see in student writing. Correct or eliminate these mistakes, and your writing will improve. |
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| 1.
Insufficient
support of thesis statement. Support your position with specific examples. Do not simply include an example. You must also show how the example supports the statement or concept you are advocating. Example: "A national tragedy can disrupt the daily operations of a nation. For example, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, stores and businesses closed; professional and amateur sporting events were cancelled, and television networks broadcast only events related to the assassination and funeral of the President. A nation in mourning came to a stop out of respect for its fallen leader. This same disruption of the daily life of the nation was seen once again after the September 11th disaster. Shopping malls remained vacant; professional baseball and collegiate football games were postponed, and television networks broadcast only news related to the sorrow and investigation of the events of September 11th."
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| 2.
Confusing
organization. Good writing must have a beginning, a middle, and an ending. With proper organization, your reader will be able to tell the purpose of your paper and then follow the points you make throughout the essay. After reading the paper, your reader should also feel closure - or completion. Spend adequate time planning and organizing your thoughts before you begin writing. Use a jot list, cluster, or outline to brainstorm and organize your ideas into a logical order. One of the oldest adages used to explain how a paper should be organized includes: Tell the reader what you are going to tell him. Then, tell him. And, finally, tell him what you told him. The easiest method you can employ to organize your paper is to follow this format: Paragraph 1: Paragraphs 2 - 5 (body paragraphs): Final Paragraph - Summary: |
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| 3.
Sentence
Fragments Sentences fragments are parts of sentences. They are fragments because they do not contain both a subject and verb and express a complete thought. Fragment: Because he was late to school for
the fifth time. (Contains a subject & verb but does not express a
complete thought.) Fragment: Without spending any time thinking
about the consequences or considering how the event could impact his
life.
C.C.C
Information & Exercises
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| 4.
Run-On
Sentences (or Fused Sentence) A run-on sentence includes two independent clauses (groups of words which can stand alone as sentences) with NO coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation. Run-on: The lunch line was long we were late
for class.
C.C.C.
Information & Exercises
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| 5.
Comma
Splices When a writer places a comma between two independent clauses (groups of words which can stand alone as sentences) with NO coordinating conjunction, this is a comma splice. It is a very specific type of run-on sentence. Run-on: The lunch line was long, we were late
for class.
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Information & Exercises
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| 6.
Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement We use pronouns to refer to or to replace nouns. The nouns are referred to as antecedents or referents. The connection between the pronoun and its antecedent must always be clear in order to avoid confusion. Pronouns must agree in person, number, and gender with their antecedents. Please see links for more information.
Hacker Information
& Exercises
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| 7.
Use of
Passive Voice Voice shows the relationship between the action of the subject and the verb. ACTIVE voice emphasizes the subject. PASSIVE voice makes the subject the receiver of the action. Generally, it is best to write in the active voice because it is more direct and concise. Active: The boy hit the ball. Active: The student wrote the research
paper after many weeks of work.
C.C.C. Information
& Exercises
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| 8.
Comma
Errors Learn the rules for using commas. 1) Place a comma before a
coordinating conjunction that joins independent clauses.
4) Place
commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. Nonrestrictive
clauses provide nonessential information which will not change the
meaning if omitted from the sentence.
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| 9. Wordiness
Good writing is concise. Omit needless words.
According to William Strunk, "A sentence should contain no
unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the
same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a
machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the
writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and
treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell." |
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| Wordy: he is a man who Wordy: I was unaware of the fact that Wordy: because of the fact that Wordy: the color of pink |
Better: he Better: I was unaware that Better: because Better: pink |
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Hacker's
Information & Exercises |
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| 10.
Lack of Sentence Variety Writing which includes different types of sentences is much livelier and more interesting. Include simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Write short sentences, but also include longer sentences. Use different types of phrases and clauses to add variety. Include declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences.
C.C.C. Information & Exercises |
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