Academic Writing

Unit 3

Name: _______________ Level: ________ Teacher: _________________

Book: Keith, S., Elena, V., David, C. (2015). Great Writing by National Geographic, Third Edition.
Types of writing mistakes in academic writing (Grammar and
punctuation)

1. Comma splices: A comma splice is particular kind of comma mistake that happens when you use a comma to join two
independent clauses. Here’s an example:

Koala bears are not actually bears, they are marsupials.

How can you tell that’s a comma splice? Look at the group of words before the comma.

Koala bears are not actually bears

Did you notice that this group of words can stand by itself as a complete sentence? That means it’s an independent clause.
Now look at the group of words after the comma.
They are marsupials

This group of words can also stand by itself as a complete sentence. It’s another independent clause.
When you have two independent clauses, a comma is not strong enough to join them together.
How to fix a comma splice?
There are three common ways to fix a comma splice. Let’s look at a new example:
I am not angry with you, I am not happy with you.
Fix #1: Add a Conjunction
One way to fix a comma splice is to add a conjunction immediately after the comma. With most comma splices, the conjunction you’ll
want to add is probably and, but, or so.
I am not angry with you, but I am not happy with you.

Fix #2: Change the Comma to a Semicolon

If adding a conjunction doesn’t seem to work, you can change the comma to a semicolon instead. Unlike commas, semicolons are
strong enough to join two independent clauses together.
I am not angry with you; I am not happy with you.
If you decide to use a semicolon, make sure there is a close, logical connection between the two independent clauses.

Fix #3: Make Separate Sentences

If adding a conjunction doesn’t seem to work and using a semicolon feels too stuffy, you can fix a comma splice by simply making each
independent clause a separate sentence.
I am not angry with you. I am not happy with you.

More Examples of Comma Splices

Here are a few more examples of comma splices and possible corrections.
 I’m thinking of skipping English class, it’s really boring.
Adding a conjunction like and or but after the comma in the sentence above doesn’t really make sense. But there does seem to be a
close, logical connection between the first independent clause
 I’m thinking of skipping English class
and the second independent clause
 it’s really boring.
This is the perfect situation for a semicolon.
 I’m thinking of skipping English class; it’s really boring.
You could also break those two independent clauses apart and make them separate sentences.
 I’m thinking of skipping English class. It’s really boring.

Let’s try another:

 Dan was late, we left without him.
In this case, the conjunction so fits the bill.
 Dan was late, so we left without him.
Or you could use a semicolon.
 Dan was late; we left without him.
Or you could make two sentences, especially if you want to sound blunt.
 Dan was late. We left without him.
 Activity 1: Decide if the sentence is a comma splice or a complete sentence by choosing the correct answer. If it is a comma splice
mistake, correct it below.

1.) John is always late for work, nobody seems to care.

a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

2.) Hot summer weather is nice, high temperatures are dangerous for certain people.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

3.) Emily broke her ankle on the weekend; now she is in a great deal of pain.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

4.) Driving the car is fast and comfortable, riding the bicycle is better for one's health.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

5.) When a student likes his class, he is more likely to achieve good grades.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

6.) Jarod had an interview with a television company, I might get a job as his assistant.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence
7.) After I was paid last week, I was able to do the grocery shopping.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

8.) Due to the fact that I am busy this week, I don't have time for sports.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

9.) Whenever Janis does not sleep enough, she gets a horrible migraine.
a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

10.) The air conditioner is too loud, Cleo can't sleep.

a.) Comma splice
b.) Complete sentence

2. Fragments

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that you have punctuated as if it is a complete sentence.

Sometimes, fragments are missing a verb. Sometimes, fragments are missing a subject. Sometimes, a fragment is simply a dependent clause
punctuated like a complete sentence. Here are some examples:

 The haunting of the house on the rocky hill just outside of town.
  Because they are hairy and frightening with large, pointed teeth and shiny, yellow eyes.

You always have options about how you correct a sentence fragment, but here are some possible corrections for our two sample sentence
fragments:

 The haunting of the house on the rocky hill just outside of town was the subject of a recent documentary.
 I am afraid of those spiders because they are hairy and frightening with large, pointed teeth and shiny, yellow eyes. 

Activity 2: Mark a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the sentences in the group is a fragment. Then, correct
them.

____ 1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad experience.

____ 2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow,
and brown moving slowly in the wind.

____ 3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other teachers in that department, he did not encourage students'
questions.

____ 4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was difficult to distinguish between them.

____ 5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a steak dinner and a few glasses of beer. After this meal, they were ready for
anything.

____ 6. It can be really embarrassing to be so emotional. Especially when you are on your first date, you feel that you should be in control.
____ 7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated, prestigious, and elite group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in
circumstances not a true premise.

____ 8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football. To prove to himself and his parents that he is a man.

____ 9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that we would never enter that door in her home again.

____10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days at fun-filled times of snowball fights. To think about this
makes me happy.

____11. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife. Hoping she would accept his apology.

____12. They were all having a good time. Until one of Joe's oldest and best friends had a little too much to drink.

3. Run-on sentences
Run-on sentences occur when two complete sentences are packed together without using a coordinating conjunction or proper
punctuation, such as a period or a semicolon. 
Run-on sentences can be short or long. A long sentence isn’t necessarily a run-on sentence.
Examples:
Below is an example of two independent clauses that are structured as a run-on sentence. It joins two complete thoughts into one
sentence without proper punctuation.
 Lila enjoyed the bouquet of tulips John gave her on prom night however she prefers roses.
Now, here is an example of how to write these two independent clauses correctly. A semicolon is placed between the two clauses to
separate each thought. It also includes a comma after the conjunctive adverb, however, as a transition into the second clause.
  Lila enjoyed the bouquet of tulips John gave her on prom night; however, she prefers roses.

Fixing and correcting run-on sentences

To avoid run-on sentences, see if there is more than one idea communicated by two or more independent clauses. In our examples, there are
two complete sentences:

 Lily enjoyed the bouquet of tulips John gave her on prom night.
 She prefers roses.

Both sentences are complete ideas by themselves; therefore, use a semicolon or a period to indicate that they are separate independent
clauses.

Activity 3: Decide if the sentence is a run-on or a complete sentence. Then click on the red button next to your choice. Then, correct them.

1.) My academic advisor told me not to take 18 credit hours for the fall semester I'm regretting not having listened to her.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

2.) My cat was upset all day he didn't get canned food for breakfast.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

3.) Organizations that promise students a scholarship if they pay an extraordinarily high application fee are most likely scams.
a.) Run-on
 b.) Complete sentence

4.) Because Rose was late for the all-you-can-eat buffet, she had to order from the main menu.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

5.) The student fell asleep in class everyone thought this was rude behavior.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

6.) Although an immigration lawyer might help me to stay in this country, his fees are too expensive for me to afford.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

7.) I like the history class because the material is explained so well.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

8.) We followed the map we ended up in Canada instead.

a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence

9.) Although the trip to Montreal was not very well planned, we had a great time.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence
10.) I received an A on my Psychology test I am happy.
a.) Run-on
b.) Complete sentence
 

4. Subject – Verb agreement

Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors of subject-verb agreement.

Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Example: The list of items is/are on the desk.

If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.

Rule 1
A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. This is a key rule for understanding subjects. The word of is the offender in many,
perhaps most, subject-verb mistakes.

Rapid writers, speakers, readers, and listeners might miss the all-too-common mistake in the following sentence:

Incorrect: A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and fragrance to the room.

Correct: A bouquet of yellow roses lends . . . (bouquet lends, not roses lend)

Rule 2
Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb.

Examples:

My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.

Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

Rule 3
The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.

Examples:
Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf.
Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf.

This rule can lead to bumps in the road. For example, if I is one of two (or more) subjects, it could lead to this odd sentence:
 Awkward: Neither she, my friends, nor I am going to the festival.

If possible, it's best to reword such grammatically correct but awkward sentences.
 Better:
Neither she, I, nor my friends are going to the festival.
OR
She, my friends, and I are not going to the festival.

Rule 4
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.

Example: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

But note these exceptions:

  Exceptions:
Breaking and entering is against the law.
The bed and breakfast was charming.
 In those sentences, breaking and entering and bed and breakfast are compound nouns.

Rule 5
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by such words as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. These words and phrases are not
part of the subject. Ignore them and use a singular verb when the subject is singular.

Examples:

The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.

Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Rule 6
In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.

Examples:

There is a high obstacle to jump.

Here are the keys.

Rule 7
Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.

Examples:

Three miles is too far to walk.

Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
BUT

Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were found on the floor.

Rule 8
With collective nouns such as group, jury, family, audience, population, the verb might be singular or plural, depending on the writer's intent.

Examples:
All of my family has arrived OR have arrived.
Most of the jury is here OR are here.
A third of the population was opposed OR were opposed to the bill.

Activity 4: For each of the following, choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.
1. 

A)  Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

 
 B)  Every one of the shirts have a green collar.
 

2. 

A)  This singer, along with a few others, play the harmonica on stage.
 

B)  This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.
 

3. 

A)  Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach.
 

B)  Sandals and towels is essential gear for a trip to the beach.
 

4. 
 A)  The president or the vice president are speaking today.
 

B)  The president or the vice president is speaking today.

 

5. 

A)  Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.

 

B)  Either Cassie or Marie pay the employees this afternoon.

 

5. Pronoun Reference
Pronouns are words that stand in for a noun in a sentence. Whenever pronouns are used, it should be unmistakably clear which noun the
pronoun is standing in for. A faulty pronoun reference will result in a scrambled sentence and a confused reader.

A pronoun is like an actor’s double on a movie set: it is a simplified version of the noun it is standing in for.

 The mother called the daughter.

 The mother called her.

Her is a pronoun representing the daughter in a simple construction that causes no confusion. Consider this more complex sentence, however:

 The mother called the daughter back to clean up her mess.

Did the daughter forget to do her dishes? Was the mother a good-for-nothing person who thought her daughter should clean up after her?
Which person does the pronoun her refer to? This faulty pronoun reference can be easily corrected:

 When the daughter made a mess, the mother called her back to clean it up.

Even with two pronouns, the references in this sentence are clear. Here is another example of a faulty pronoun reference.

 Separate Daniel and Alexander and then give him a detention for fighting.

Here it is unclear to whom the pronoun him refers. Who is to be punished for fighting? Using the original noun will clarify things for the reader.

 Separate Daniel and Alexander and then give Daniel a detention for fighting.

Poor Daniel; he appears to be the guilty party in this encounter, but at least the sentence is clear.
Activity 5: Rewrite each sentence to correct the faulty pronoun reference. When you are finished, click on the "Check My Work" button at
the bottom of the page to check your answers.

6. Articles

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the following examples:

 After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.
By using the article, the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.

 After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.

By using the article, a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of tea would taste good after any long day.

English has two types of articles: definite and indefinite.

(Canva presentation)