Lesson 6

Common Writing Mistakes

#1
Writer’s Prompt

 Should the police be allowed to stop

any car to check for the use of
seatbelts?
 Why or why not?
 Provide evidence to support your
claim.
Assignment Review

 Handout 28.1 Punctuating linked

main clauses
Assignment

 Read Chapter 31 “Quotation Marks”

in Little, Brown Handbook
 Do Handout Exercise 31.2 “Quoting
Titles”
COMMON WRITING MISTAKES
Top Ten Grammar Myths
Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Writing Mistakes to
Avoid
 Avoid run-on sentences they are hard
to read.
 Never use no double negatives.
 Use the semicolon properly, always
where it is appropriate; and never
where it is not.
 Reserve the apostrophe for it's
proper use and omit it where it is not
needed.
Writing Mistakes to
Avoid
 Verbs has to agree with their
subjects.
 No sentence fragments.
 Proofread carefully to see if you any
words out.
Writing Mistakes to
Avoid
 Avoid commas, that are not
necessary.
 When you reread your work, you will
find on rereading that a great deal of
repetition can be avoided by
rereading and editing.
 A writer must not shift your point of
view.
Using the comma with introductory elements
Pretest
 It is highly important to put (commas)
in place as you go along. If you try to
come back after doing a paragraph and
stick them in the various spots that
tempt you you will discover that they
tend to swarm like minnows into all sorts
of crevices whose existence you hadn’t
realized and before you know it the
whole long sentence becomes
immobilized and lashed up squirming in
commas. Better to use them sparingly,
and with affection, precisely when the
need for one arises, nicely, by itself.
Lewis Thomas, “Notes on Punctuation”
Principal uses of the
comma
● Separate main clauses linked by a
coordinating conjunction
● The building is finished , but it has no
tenants.
● Set off most introductory elements

● Unfortunately , the only tenant pulled

out.
Principal uses of the
comma
● Set off nonessential elements
● The empty building symbolizes a weak

local economy, which hurts everyone.

● Separate items in a series

● The city needs healthier businesses ,
new schools, and improved housing.
Principal uses of the
comma
 Separate coordinate adjectives
,
 A tall sleek skyscraper is not needed.
Using the comma after the
introductory element
Missing comma, after an
introductory element
 Check your sentences to see which ones
open with an introductory word, phrase,
or clause.
 Readers usually need a small pause
between the introductory element and
the main part of the sentence, a pause
most often signaled by a comma.
Missing comma, after an
introductory element
 Try to get into the habit of using a
comma after every introductory
element, be it a word, a phrase, or a
clause.
 When the introductory element is very
short, you don't always need a comma
after it. But you're never wrong if you do
use a comma.
Using the comma with an
introductory element
Examples

1. To tell the truth , I have never liked the

Mets.

2. Determined to get the job done , we

worked all weekend.

3. Because of its isolation in a rural area

surrounded by mountains, Tyler Pass
doesn’t get many visitors.
Examples

4. Riding the Metro Link to the Cardinals’

baseball game, is a great way to go to see
them.

5. How many men must die, before we end

war on this planet?

6. When I order a pizza with all the meats,

extra cheese and mushrooms, I want it
delivered hot and fresh.
You try it

o I took time to clean my glasses very

carefully and then I made my way
through the door.
o I took time to clean my glasses very

,
carefully and then I made my way
through the door.
You try it

o The music was so loud it rattled the

inside of my ears as I entered the
arena to hear the rock concert.

,
 The music was so loud it rattled the
inside of my ears as I entered the
arena to hear the rock concert.
You try it

 Writing is a lot like thinking on paper

although there are no erasers for
brain waves.
 Writing is a lot like thinking on

,
paper although there are no erasers
for brain waves.
Exerise B
Group Exercise
Exercise E