ENG 3U1
Writer’s Guide
Introduction
As grade 11 students, your writing skills should be improving and a
writing style should begin to emerge. At this point in the semester
you have completed formative writing tasks. This package is to
review expectations for the writing process, forms of writing, style,
word use and grammar. A major focus should be on the
improvement in writing and development of ideas and insights for
the remainder of the semester.
The following are symbols that can be used to edit
your own or others work.. This is to also help you
avoid some of the common errors found in your
writing.
sp: spelling error
Purpose and Audience:
Before you write, make sure you have a
clear idea of the purpose (ex. Persuade, defend, explain, analyze, inform,
compare etc.) as well as the audience for whom you are writing (in many
cases – me!)
Choosing a Topic:
Much of the time a topic will be given to you,
but often you will be able to select from a list of suggested topics. Begin
by brainstorming all you know about each topic.
Organizing Ideas: The Outline
An outline is like a map which
helps you organize your ideas. There are several ways to write an
outline, but if you are following a particular format for formal writing (ex.
paragraph or essay), try to work within that framework. Note: You will
also have to consider the patterns for organization (ex. chronological –
order of time; importance, compare/contrast or cause and effect)
Drafting a Rough Copy:
Once you have chosen a topic, gathered
information and ideas and organize these ideas, you need to write a first
draft. Don’t worry too much about the quality – yet. Concentrate on
getting your main ideas down and in the correct format.
Revising (Editing)
Revising your first draft is looking at the content
the adding, deleting and re-arranging where necessary. When possible,
leave your draft for a day or two so you can look at it with objective eyes.
When editing check: (1) fluency – organization of ideas and between
ideas (transitions) (2) stylistic changes such as vocabulary (diction);
deleting unnecessary words or phrases (3) correct errors in spelling,
mechanics, grammar (4) Check you have used consistent voice (1st or 3rd
person), tense (present or past); style (tone, formality etc.)
Proofreading:
This is the final stage in the writing process to finally
ensure your writing is ready for publication and final submission. While
proofreading, read slowly and read every word (print a hard copy if it is
already typed). Do a final check for errors in capitalization (names and
titles), punctuation and spelling. Make sure you have used quotations
correctly and cited all quotations in parentheses (MLA format). Double
check formats. Finally ask a classmate or another reliable person to
check you have not missed anything.
(a)gr: grammatical error. Often this is subject-verb
agreement (agr) (ex. One of the cars were damaged
– cars is not the subject, one needs a singular verb
One of the cars was damaged)
V.T.: verb tense. Keep in mind that your verb tense
needs to be consistent throughout your paper. In
formal writing, write in the present tense only. (ex.
The vampire is a mysterious character NOT was)
S.S: Sentence structure. This could be many things
This could be any number of conventional errors
that has affected the structure of your sentence
R.O: Run-On Sentences – When two or more
complete sentences are joined in a single sentence
oftentimes using conjunctions. Each idea should be
in a separate sentence
S.F: Sentence Fragment – A group of words
punctuated as a sentence but is lacking either a
subject or a complete verb. (ex. Which was a
deceptive and manipulative move.)
awk: Awkward Phrasing. This could include any
number of the stylistic errors. It is often a
combination of errors creating a lack of clarity
wordy – This includes the usage of unnecessary
words and phrases. When writing, every word must
count.
Rpt.: Repetition- repeating ideas. This is also
related to redundancy – Either directly or indirectly
saying the same thing.
Pron: Pronoun Usage - When writing formal
expository pieces such as essays, write in the third
person only. First person is for personal writing or
narratives. Avoid using the second person (the
informal and conversational “we” “you”)
new paragraph; paragraphing error
^ insert a word(s); could also indicate missing info
Trans - Missing transition. It is important for
you ideas to connect and writing to be fluent use
transitions and vary transitions
ENG 3U1
Writer’s Guide
Style and Conventions
Often you will be writing formal forms of writing (ex. Essays, letters, reports etc). Keep in mind the following
stylistic conventions of formal writing
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Write in the third person. Avoid the first person (I,
me) or second (you, we)
Vocabulary / Diction – use words that expand your
vocabulary, yet familiar and accepted
Avoid colloquialisms or slang (ex. He has his back;
She’s sick; last but not least)
Carefully follow conventions of grammar, avoiding
the errors often in informal language (ex. Sentence
fragments, improper use of pronouns and faulty
subject-verb agreement)
Commonly Confused Words
The following is a list of words that are often confused because
they sound the same or are related but have different uses.
Make it a habit to check for these when you write.
Accept: to agree to; Except: not including
Advice: (n)oun To counsel; Advise: (verb) “counsel”
All ready: completely ready; Already: “before this time
Anyway: correct; Anyways: incorrect grammar
Complement: to complete something; Compliment: to praise
Could / Should / Would followed by “have” NOT “of”
Good: adjective meaning “all right”; Well: adverb “In a
favourable manner”
It’s: means it is; Its: possessive, or belonging to
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Avoid using shorthand or shortcuts (lol, etc.) Spell
out all numbers unless it is a date
Passed: past tense of pass; Past: (noun) “a time before”
Principal: first in importance; Principle: fact
Avoid the use of contractions (can’t = can not;
won’t = will not)
Than: used for comparisons; Then: (adverb) “at that time”
Carefully follow conventions of punctuation,
especially when quoting or doing citations
To: (prep) “in the direction of; Too: (adverb) excessively; Two:
the number
Their: belonging to them; There: “in that place”; They’re: They
are
Weather: the conditions outside; Whether: “if”
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Try to vary sentence structures and length
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Avoid redundancy – saying the same thing
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Formal writing does not mean wordy. You can write concisely and still write formally and
articulately
Overly wordy: “Players should refrain from revealing their cards to other players until such time
as they are called upon to do so.”
Formal, clear and concise: “Avoid showing your cards to other players until you are asked to do
so.”
Whose: Belonging to whom; Who’s: “who is” or “who has”
Your: belonging to you; You’re: you are
ENG 3U1
Writer’s Guide
Task: The following are examples from your writing assignments. To improve your writing for
your next assignment, read each sentence carefully. Identify the error(s) using the proofreader’s
marks AND Correct the sentence or passage in the space provided.
1. “In our society today self respect is either earned or given to you but it all comes down
to how you carry yourself and how much respect you have for yourself as an individual
and confidence comes with how much self respect you have for yourself.”
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. “There are 2 different device use by the author in the story.”
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. “Imagery has an effect on the story because it helps the readers visualize the scene
more better.”
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. “The part on the story when Clovis witnessed Ambroise catch the whale so that he could
impress Gabrielle, Clovis who supposable was the most honest man in town, denies
Anmroise by saying “Ambroise is a liar”
ENG 3U1
Writer’s Guide
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. She was so impressed with him because of all the stuff he has been through for her.
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. “…no matter how trustworthy a person can be, they will benefit themselves over you.”
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7. Person vs. Self is a main concept in the passage because he had a not to think of being
the head officer.”
Error(s): ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Suggested correction: _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
8. “I am going to point out two of the literacy terms and the point of view of the story