Transcript Have I fulfilled the requirements?
Proofreader’s Checklist
5 Starting Questions
1. Have I followed the requirements?
2. Have I checked organization?
3. Have I considered audience issues?
4. Have I edited for style?
5. Have I proofread for grammar?
Have I followed the requirements?
Understood the Assignment?
-When in doubt, double check! Stayed on topic? -Ask: Is this information really necessary? Followed format?
Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago Style, Other. Length, font, margins?
-Standard: 12-point font and 1-inch margins.
Have I checked organization?
Introduction, body, and conclusion?
Clear thesis statement in introduction?
or
Forecasting statement/device?
Body follows the thesis in correct order?
Organization Continued
Transitions between & in paragraphs?
Clear topic sentences for paragraphs?
-topic sentences should: transition from previous paragraph, link with thesis, and state topic/claim
Conclusion summarizes main points?
-strong conclusions keep summary brief and explore implications/significance of the topic
Conclusion omits new information?
Have I considered audience issues?
Included background information?
-what does my audience need to know from the outset?
Diction appropriate for audience?
-think about informality/formality level.
-are contractions acceptable?
-okay to use “I,” “we,” “us,” & “you?” Avoided “I think” and “I believe?” -audience assumes it’s your opinion!
Have I edited for style?
1. Vary sentence length/type.
2. Vary beginnings of sentences. (not just subject then verb!) 3. Vary word choices.
4. Avoid overusing “to be” verbs.
5. In general, avoid passive voice.
6. Avoid overusing “There” and “It.”
Vary sentence length/type
Simple Sentences 1 independent clause: He played football at Ohio State.
Compound Sentences 2+ independent clauses: -He played football, but she chose soccer.
Complex Sentences D ependent clause (s) + 1 independent clause: -As the stats show, OSU is awesome.
Compound-complex Sentences 2+ independent clauses + dependent clause (s) -You enjoy sports and we do too, because we are OSU.
Vary beginnings of sentences
BEGIN WITH . . . .
Transitional Words -words like “however,” “actually,” etc.
Prepositional Phrases -preposition + object -example: In the morning,
Dependent Clauses -subordinate conjunction + subject + predicate -example: Because Jackson enjoyed jogging,
Vary word choices (and be concise)
Example 1 Interestingly enough, my family and I took a long and very interesting vacation where we met an interesting person who talked to us for a very long time about squids.
Example 2 During our vacation, my family and I met a vociferous woman who described squid cuisine.
Avoid Using “To Be” Verbs
o o o o
“To Be” Verbs
o
am is are was were
Active vs. Passive Voice
Active Voice
-The subject is doing the action.
-Emphasis rests on the doer.
-subject + verb + direct object -example: Judy plays chess. Passive Voice -The action is being done.
-Emphasis rests on the action.
-direct object + “be” + verb with –ed + “by” + subject
-example: Chess is played by Judy.
“There” and “It”
“There” and “it” are usually
-followed by a “to be” verb and -they delay the subject.
Instead of: There are few rabbits that fly.
Try: Few rabbits fly.
Have I proofread for grammar?
1. Missing Commas 2. Fragments 3. Run-On Sentences 4. Parallelism 5. Subject-Verb Agreement 6. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement 7. “Which” vs. “That”
Commonly
Absent
COMMAS
To join 2 complete sentences -use a comma + coordinating conjunction -The Big 7=and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet -The sun shines brightly, and the horses frolic.
After introductory elements -words like “However,” “Actually,” etc.
-phrases like “At the time,” “In short,” etc.
-dependent clauses like “After he drank a coke,” To set off nonessential elements -When he arrived, however, he….
-The cat, a large Persian one, blinked….
Fragments
Fragment: anything punctuated as sentence that isn’t Most common fragment type: subordinate clause punctuated as complete sentence Subordinate clause: subject + predicate subordinating conjunction + Subordinating conjunctions: because, when, etc.
Subordinate clause examples: incorrect: Because I said so.
correct: Because I said so, they believed it.
Run-On Sentences
Don’t just put a comma b/tw 2 sentences!
Two Types of Run-ons -The mice like cheese, they scurry.
-The mice like cheese they scurry.
Instead: The mice like cheese, and they scurry.
When joining 2 complete sentences, use a comma + coordinating conjunction.
Parallelism
Be consistent & strive for uniformity!
Examples incorrect: James wants to hike and skiing. correct: James wants to hike and ski.
incorrect: Jill enjoys running, socializing, and to read.
correct: Jill enjoys running, socializing, and reading.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Ground Rules -A singular subject takes a singular verb.
example: Josh misses the sunshine.
-A plural subject takes a plural verb.
example: Strangely enough, some people prefer snow.
Useful Tips -Notice that the singular subject usually goes with a verb that has an “s” on the end.
-The plural subject usually goes with a verb that doesn’t have an “s” on the end.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Ground Rules -Nouns must agree with pronouns in number.
example: If people eat lead paint, they get sick. not: When a person eats lead paint, they get sick.
-Remember, singular noun needs a singular pronoun, and a plural noun needs a plural pronoun.
“Which” vs. “That”
Ground Rules -Use “which” before information that could be omitted without loss of clarity. example: Hotdogs, which many people enjoy, are not a very healthy snack.
Keep in mind that which-clauses usually require a comma/commas. -Use “that” before information that is essential to clarity.
example: Many of the snacks that people enjoy are not very healthy.