Guidelines for Good Writing

Be Clear

All public writing is an attempt to communicate with other people. Your readers need to be able to understand what you are saying. If a sentence or paragraph confuses you, your readers will certainly be confused.

Use Active Voice

The active voice (Tommy hit the ball.) is more clear and direct than the passive (The ball was hit by Tommy). Wherever possible, change the passive voice to the active.

Cut Unnecessary Words

Get rid of repetitive words and phrases. In the sentence, The coach yelled and screamed at the players, the words yelled and screamed are redundant. Cut one of the words.

Use the Right Words

Make sure you use words that others will understand.

Sally was a loquacious, indeed verbose, individual with a propensity toward excessive verbiage is not nearly as effective as Sally was a chatterbox.

Combine Choppy Sentences

Combining sentences enables you to make your writing smoother. You will also be able to say what you want in fewer words.

I like cake. I like ice cream.I like cake and ice cream.

Do not Confuse Similar Words

Here is a list of word pairs that are often confused. Note the different meanings in each word pair.

Accept and Except

I can’t accept (admit to) the notion that only men can be soldiers.

Everyone went to dinner except (but) Paul.

Affect and Effect

Bobby was deeply affected (influenced) by his older brother’s speech.

What was the effect (result) of the flood in Youngstown?

Already and All Ready

Joe had already (by this time) returned from P.E. when the fight started.

Are you all ready (everyone set) to go to the concert?

Farther and Further

George can run farther (distance) than John can.

The further (time) we discussed the issue, the angrier we become.

Sentence Variety

There are four types of sentences:

SimpleCompoundComplexCompound-Complex

Clauses

Independent: An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

Some students attend tutoring

Dependent: A dependent clause can be joined to an independent clause add to the complete thought.

because they care about their grades

Simple Sentence

A simple sentence contains one independent clause.

Mrs. Dauphin tutors.

Mrs. Dauphin tutors English after school on Tuesdays.

Compound Sentences

Compound sentences are made up of two or more independents clauses and no dependent clauses. These ID clauses are joined together by either a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction. (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Remember that if you use the CC it must have a comma before the conjunction.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

When we visited the zoo, I saw a camel.

Compound Complex

Compound complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses and two or more dependent clauses.

When we visited the zoo, I saw an elephant, and I paid two dollars to ride because I wanted to see if it was scary.

Free Advice

• Make sure subjects and verbs agree

• Alot is not a word• Do not use contractions• Do not use personal pronouns (I)• Avoid clichés• No symbols, signs, or numeric

numbers

Essay Evaluation

Five paragraphs 2 pointsThesis statement 2 pointsTopic sentences 3 pointsSupporting detail 5 pointsRestating Thesis 1 pointsRestating TS 3 pointsNeat and Legible 4 pointsThis total 100 points

Essay Evaluation

After I have given all the points for elements of

An essay, I will then begin to deduct for errors

In grammar and spelling. Each error, if continuous, will count two points each. These

Points will be deducted from your total score Earned from essay elements.

Essay Evaluation

For example: If you earn a total of 90 points for the essay elements, but you lose 6 points for errors in grammar, your score will be an 84 for your final grade.