Learn
from Mistakes
Pay attention to comments on your papers - For instance, if your instructor writes "fragment" on
your paper, find out what a fragment is.
Common
Errors
Fragments
Verb
Tense Consistency
Subject-Verb Agreement
Pronoun-Antecedent Argument
Pronoun
Reference
Mixed Construction |
Run-On's
and Comma Splices
Shift in Person
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Usage
problems -- Confused Words
Apostrophes
Commas |
Cool
Tool 1: OWL at Purdue
The
OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue home page http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
You can find grammar handouts, grammar videos on the new Purdue grammar blog, and proofreading tips.
Cool
Tool 2: Guide to Grammar and Writing interactive quizzes and PowerPoint presentations
Homepage
at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
List
of Topics http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
Interactive
Quizzes http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm
PowerPoint
Presentations http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm
Cool
Tool 3: Grammar Bytes free basic access to tutorials and hundreds of interactive exercises.
Grammar Instruction with Attitude. Includes detailed terms, interactive exercises, handouts, PowerPoints, and more!
http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm
Cool
Tool 4: Exercise Central 3.0 free basic access to tutorials and hundreds of interactive exercises.
Bedford/St.
Martin's has a good interactive quiz site at http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/exercisecentral/
You
need to register for basic student access for the site unless your instructor
is using a Bedford/Martin's textbook and is registered for special access.
Cool
Tool 5: Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tricks for Better Writing
You
can go to the website or to iTunes and download Grammar Girl podcasts.
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/default.aspx
Cool
Grammar Handouts:
Downloadable handouts and links
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/
Cool
Tool for Proofreading Your Papers
Get tips on Proofreading Your Writing on the Purdue OWL website at
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/01/
Practice
Combining Sentences
Guide
to Grammar and Writing Sentence Combining Skills at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/combining_skills.htm
Purdue OWL Sentence Clarity Powerpoint at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/711/01/
Grammar on Video
Search for Grammar Rock YouTube videos at http://www.youtube.com/
Grammar Videos at http://grammarvideos.wikispaces.com/
Re-Cap on How
to Improve Your Writing
Know
your own common errors
Target one at a time
Practice revising and fixing
your errors.
Learn how to combine sentences effectively
Don't give up. It
takes a long time to overcome bad habits. Choose one fun grammar tool to practice with regularly. Try typing “Grammar Rock” into the YouTube Search and watch the Grammar Rock videos. Listen to Grammar Girl’s podcast regularly.
Read a lot. Read good writing helps
improve you vocabulary and awareness of the craft of writing.
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