Mark-up Key
Common marks you’re likely to see on your papers are in Column 1 and its longer
description follows. Also includes is a reference to learn more to fix the problem in ( ).
align
Alignment – According to Robin Williams, every element should have some
visual connection with another element on the page, so that nothing is
placed on the page arbitrarily. This is known as alignment.
awk
Awkward – This passage isn’t grammatically flawed, but the wording is
confusing to the reader because of either length or arrangement. (Harris
pp 72-86)
choppy Choppy sentences – Too many short, simple sentences in a row inhibit flow
of thought. (Harris Section 3 Revising Sentences.)
coh
Coherence – The relationship among ideas needs to be clear. You may need
better transitions, repeating elements, organization, or flow. (Woolever Ch 3)
cont
Contrast – According to Robin Williams, if the elements (type, color, size,
line thickness, shape, space, etc.) are not the same, then make them very
different. This is known as contrast.
cs
Comma Splice – Two sentences coupled with a comma. (Harris p 50)
dang
Dangling Modifier – A phrase modifies whatever noun immediately follows
it, which in this case does not make sense. (Harris pp 65+)
e
English – This construction or phrasing isn’t possible in English. You may
have omitted needed words or included extra ones.
expl
Expletive – “There is” or “it is” (or equivalent verb tense/agreement)
construction can be rephrased for more efficiency. (Harris pp 57+)
expect
Expectation – Readers expect ideas to come in a known-new construct.
You’ve either reversed the order or new ideas have arrived suddenly. (Harris
pp 83)
frag
Fragment – Incomplete sentence. (Harris pp 59)
gb
Gender Bias – Rephrase to avoid excluding one gender. (Harris pp 247-249)
mod
Modifier – Modifiers are in the wrong order. Correct order: dimensions color
shape NOUN. E.g., “five-inch long, blue cylindrical screwdriver.” Or general
before specific. Or location before appearance/description.
np
Non-parallel – In lists, series of items or of phrases, use all same parts of
speech (verbs, nouns) all in same form (command, present tense, etc.)
(Harris pp 69)
¶
Paragraph – Start a new paragraph here. (Woolever Ch 3)
¶1234 Paragraph Structure – The paragraph structure needs the ideas to follow
the 1-2-3-4 order/emphasis structure. (Woolever Ch 3)
[Page 1 of 2]
Mark-up Key
p
Punctuation – Marks are either missing or misused. (Harris Section 5)
pa
Passive Voice – Change the sentence structure to active voice. (Harris
pp 85)
po
Possessive – its = belongs to it; it’s = it is; bug’s = belong to one bug; bugs’ =
belongs to more than one bug. (Harris pp 183+ & pp 120)
pov
Point of View – Referring to 1st, 2nd, 3rd person writing. You changed the
point of view in your writing. (Harris pp 72)
pr
Pronoun Reference – It is not clear what your pronoun (it, he, they, these,
those, etc.) refers back to. (Harris pp 117-132)
prox
Proximity – According to Robin Williams, group related items together,
because when several things are close to each other, they become one visual
unit rather than several separate units. This is proximity.
red
Redundant – Repetition or extra words here need to be cut. (Harris pp 250)
rep
Repetition – According to Robin Williams, to strengthen unity, use visual
elements of the design many times throughout the piece. This is repetition.
ros
Run-On Sentence – The sentence needs to be broken down into multiple
sentences or you need punctuation between the fused sentences. (Harris
pp 50)
seq
Sequence unclear – The sequence in the sentence “from blah to blah/blah”
is unclear.
sp
Spelling (Harris pp 233)
s/v
Subject/Verb – Your verb is not conjugated (suited) for your noun. (Harris
pp 53)
t
Tense – Recommend that you write in the present tense, or not change
tenses (e.g., from future to present or past to present). (Harris pp 73)
This
This as the sentence subject is referring back to some vague
idea/concept/notion. (Harris pp 117)
tr
Transpose – Place the words in the reverse order.
trans
Transitions – You need a transition here (between sentences or paragraphs)
or the transition you’ve chosen is inappropriate. (Harris pp 87)
v?
Verb – Could you specify or rephrase the sentence for a sharper verb?
(Harris pp 111)
wc?
Word choice? – Are you sure this is the word you want?
wc
Word choice – This is not the word you want.
[Page 2 of 2]