CONFUSING CHOICES

Accept/Except
Accept is a verb (To take possession of).
Example: The writers in my class sometimes struggle to
accept constructive criticism gracefully.
Except is most often a preposition, meaning excluding.
Example: Everyone submitted an essay to the contest except
you.
Affect/Effect
These words are often confused because of their related meanings
but differing spellings.
Affect is a verb, meaning to influence.
Example: The flood will affect the harvest.
Effect can be both a verb and a noun. Its verb form, meaning to
accomplish or to put into operation. However, its noun form is
always used; an effect is the result of someone or something that
is affecting another person or thing.
Example: The effect of the flood was frightening. (As a
noun)
Here is an example:
Smoking affects health. The effect is lung cancer.
Affect is the verb causing the influence or change (on health).
The Effect is the result (lung cancer).
Allude/Elude
Allude means to make an indirect reference to something.
Example: The writer alluded to mistakes made by the editor
when explaining his rejection letter.
Elude means to escape or avoid detection.
Example: Not even the best writer can elude making an error at
some point.
Alter/Altar
Alter and altar can be easily confused because of their one-letter
spelling difference. Usually writers know which meaning they want
to convey, but they cant remember which spelling goes with
which word.
Alter (with an e) is to change or make something different. Altar
(with an a) has the religious meaning of a place of sacrifice or
center of worship.
Heres a tip for remembering the difference between the two:
Alter is an action, so it requires effort; effort is a word that
starts with the letter e.

Anecdote/Antidote
Though anecdote and antidote have very different definitions, they
look and sound similar enough to be confusing.
An anecdote is a short narrative, often personal and used to
illustrate a point.
Example 1: Stand-up comedians often use humorous anecdotes as
part of their shtick.
Example 2: An antidote is something that remedies or relieves.
Example 3: Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety. Jack
Nicklaus
Complement/ Compliment
Complement (noun or verb) denotes completeness or the
process of supplementing something.
Example: Susans Doc Martens complement her leather
jacket.
Compliment (noun or verb) denotes praise.
Example: Sean was proud of the compliments on his writing.
Conscience/Conscious
"Conscience" is your sense of right and wrong (It is a noun).
Example: Now that I've returned her the favor at last, I have a
clear conscience.
"Conscious" means aware and is an adjective. Use this one if
somebody faints.
Example: He was conscious of the people around him, but did
not acknowledge them.
Convince/ Persuade
Convince is to be secure about a decision or principle.
Example: Jody Runge is convinced the Ducks will win the
game.
Persuade is to induce someone to do something or embrace an
idea.
Example: Jody Runge persuaded the referee to call a foul.
Discreet/ Discrete
Discreet is to be prudent, circumspect.
Example: British royalty seem to have forgotten how to be
discreet.
Discrete is to be detached, separate.
Example: There have been six discrete incidents of plagiarism
this year.

Economic/Economical
The confusion comes from the fact that both mean Econmico in
Spanish and both are adjectives. Economical means less
expensive or possibly more efficient and Economic can refer to a
situation, for example:
*Buying in bulk (comprar al por mayor) is more economical.
*Massive debts are largely responsible for current economic
conditions (Condiciones econmicas).
Elicit/ Illicit
Elicit is a verb meaning to bring out or draw forth.
Example: Her essay on prison reform elicited a strong reaction.
Illicit is an adjective meaning illegal or unlawful.
Example: The authors illicit copying of her assistants work led
to her downfall.
Further/Farther
Further and farther are often used interchangeably, although they
actually have slightly different meanings. Both words refer to
distance, but the distinction is in the type of distance. Further
refers to mental distance, while farther refers to physical distance.
Take a look at the differences as illustrated in the sentences below:
Example 1 (further-correct usage): The student read further in the
textbook (Note that the distance traveled is only mental).
Example 2 (farther-correct usage): I have to drive farther to work
than to school (In this sentence, we are referring to an actual
distance that is measurable in miles, kilometers, etc., so the word
farther is used).
Immigrate/Emigrate
There is a subtle but distinct difference between immigrate and
emigrate. Immigrate is to move to one country from another.
Emigrate is to leave one country to live in another.
As illustrated in the examples below, immigrate is used in
conjunction with the word to, while emigrate is used with from.
Also, be aware that immigrate is spelled with two letter ms, but
emigrate has only one.
Examples: He immigrated to the United States as a teenager.
He emigrated from Canada to the United States.
Like/ As if
Like is, as a preposition, used to compare nouns or pronouns.
Example: Nicole runs like the wind.
As if is, as a conjunction, used to introduce clauses.
Example: Nicole runs as if her life depends on it.

Notorious/ Famous
Notorious is to be widely and unfavorably known.
Example: Ted Bundy was a notorious killer.
Famous is to be widely known.
Example: The Miami Dolphins signed the famous coach, Jimmy
Johnson.
Perspective/Prospective
Perspective and Prospective tend to sound like the same word
when spoken quickly, and this can cause a mix-up when
determining which one to use in writing.
Perspective is a point of view.
Example:
Empathy
involves
taking
another
persons
perspective.
Prospective is likely to become or expected.
Example: The unemployed teacher sent out multiple cover
letters to prospective employers.
Posterity/Prosperity
Posterity refers to the future, specifically future generations
(often used with for as in for posterity).
Example: The historical documents were preserved for
posterity.
Prosperity refers to wealth or abundance.
Example: Saving and investing wisely will lead to prosperity.
Precede/Proceed
Precede is to go or come before.
Example: Dark clouds and wind often precede a thunderstorm.
Proceed is to move forward or continue.
Example: After presenting your boarding pass and ID, you may
proceed to the plane.
Rein/Reign
Most people confuse Rein and Reign, probably know the
distinction in the meanings of the two words, but they have trouble
remembering the difference in how each is spelled.
Rein (without the g) meansin the verb formto control, lead,
or direct ( or, in the noun form, something that is used to lead,
control, or directas in a horses reins).
Example: The manager was forced to rein in loquacious
employees after excess talking extended the meeting past an
hour.
Reign is to rule or have sovereignty over.

Example: King Henry VIII reigned from 1509 until his death in
1547.
There/Their/ Theyre
There is used either as an adverb indicating place or an
expletive. Examples:
As Adverb: The writers who have been published are standing
there by the display.
As Expletive: There is one thing every writer must remember
before submitting a query to a magazine: Know the publication.
Their is a possessive pronoun.
Example: Writers know that their success depends on hard
work and perseverance.
Theyre is the contraction of they are.
Example: Theyre all successful authors, but their social skills
leave a lot to be desired.
OUTLINE
I.-WHAT IS AN OUTLINE?
An outline is a general plan of the material that is to be presented in a
speech, report or an essay. The outline shows the order of the various
topics, the relative importance of each one, and the relationship
between the various parts. Think of it as a map of your paper.
II.-THESIS STATEMENT OF SUMMARIZING SENTENCE
All outlines should begin with a thesis statement of summarizing
sentence. This thesis sentence presents the central idea of the paper. It
must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief,
which expresses the point of view you are taking towards the subject.
III.-HOW TO ORDER IN AN OUTLINE
There are many ways to arrange the different parts of a subject.
Sometimes, a chronological arrangement works well. At other times, a
spatial arrangement is best suited to the material. The most common
order in outlines is to go from the general to the specific. This means you
begin with a general idea and then support it with specific examples.
IV.-TYPES OF OUTLINES
The two main types of outlines are the topic outline and the sentence
outline.

The topic outline: the headings are given in single words or brief
phrases to present the general subject that will be explored in
each section.
Example:

CHOICES IN COLLEGE AND AFTER

Thesis: The decisions I have to make in choosing college courses

depend on larger questions I am beginning to ask myself about my
lifes work.
I. Two decisions described.
A. Art history or chemistry.
1. Professional considerations.
2. Personal considerations.
B. A third year of French?
1. Practical advantages of knowing a foreign language.
2. Intellectual advantages.
3. The issue of necessity.
II. Definition of the problem.
A. Decisions about occupation.
B. Decisions about a kind of life to lead.
III. Temporary resolution of the problem.
A. To hold open a professional possibility: chemistry
B. To take advantage of cultural gains already made: French

The sentence outline: all the headings are expressed in

complete sentences to describe each topic, providing a great deal
of information.
Example:

CHOICES IN COLLEGE AND AFTER

Thesis: The decisions I have to make in choosing college courses

depend on larger questions I am beginning to ask myself about my
lifes work.
I. I have two decisions to make with respect to choosing college
courses in the immediate future.
A. One is whether to elect a course in art history or in
chemistry.
1. One time in my life, I planned to be a chemical
engineer professionally.
2. On the other hand, I enjoy art and plan to travel and
see more of it.

B. The second decision is whether to continue a third year

of French beyond the basic college requirement.
1. French might be useful both in engineering and
travel.
2. Furthermore, I am eager to read good books which
are written in French.
3. How necessary are these considerations in the light
of other courses I might take instead?
II. My problem can be put in the form of a dilemma involving larger
questions about my whole future.
A. On the one hand I want to hold a highly-trained position
in a lucrative profession.
B. On the other hand I want to lead a certain kind of life,
with capacities for values not connected with the making of
money.
III. I will have to make a decision balancing the conflicting needs I
have described.
A. I will hold open the professional possibilities by electing
chemistry.
B. I will improve and solidify what cultural proficiency in
another language I have already gained, by electing French.
Both of these types of outlines can be organized according to
alphanumeric methods, in which letters and numbers are used to
indicate different sections, or decimal systems that use numbers to
differentiate between each subject.
Outlines can also be organized in decimal notation, which uses only
numbers and no letters. The first subject can be labeled as "1.00," with
the sub-topic as "1.10," then "1.20"; lower topics within this structure
can then be "1.11," 1.12," 1.13," and so on. This type of organization
works well for people who are naturally inclined toward mathematics,
though some people are confused by the decimal notation.
V.-WHY IS IT IMPORTANT WRITTEN AN OUTLINE FOR AN ESSAY?
Because you can organize your ideas in order to then explain each one
in deep and with details. Besides it helps you to order the main idea
from the secondary ones; in short, you should begin your essay from the
general idea to specific ideas. With these principles you can be sure your
essay and its message (intention) is going to be well understood for
those who read it.

OUTLINE FOR MY ESSAY MY WINDOW

Thesis: Buying a new frame for my window or buying a new type of
window in order to appreciate the beautiful sight in front of my recent
department hired and so paint my pictures and exhibit them in the
museum.
I.-The old window has been since five years ago, for that reason I want to
change it.
A. Buying a new frame means less expense and time, but I will go
on having the same opaque sight.
B. Buying a new type of window means more expense, but I will
have a majestic and grand sight.
II.-If I change the window, I will have and see the beautiful sight of the
sea as well as the city in order to paint and exhibit them.
A. With a new window, I will have more light to design and paint
my pictures.
B. These new pictures will reflect the beauty of the city in order to
be exhibited in the local museum.
Confusing choices: Style/Type, Spend/expense/Cost, Beautiful/beauty,
Design/Style, Sight/Sign, Some/Same, See/Sea, City/Site.