Language Workshop
Mr. Michael Poore
Student Teaching Seminar
01/11/11
11:00 a.m.
Disclaimer!
• I know u r attempted to think this
stuff doesn’t apply 2 u. B4 u quit
listening 2 me, please c this
presentation thru. Give the
workshop a chance to make ¢,
and I will try 2 provide a gr8
application of its content. K?
Count the F’s
in the sentence below
• Finished files are the result of
years of scientific study combined
with the experience of years.
Finished files are the result of
years of scientific study
combined with the experience of
years.
Easy?
• How can a slim chance and a fat
chance be the same, and a wise
man and wise guy are opposites?
How can overlook and oversee be
opposites, and quite a lot
and quite a few are alike? How
can the weather be hot as hell
one day and cold as hell another?
Worth trying harder?
• I am forwarding my marriage certificate
and six children. I had seven, but one
died, which was baptized on a half sheet
of paper.
• Mrs. Jones has not had any clothes for a
year and has been visited regularly by the
clergy.
• I want my money as quick as I can get it.
I’ve been in bed with the doctor for two
weeks and he doesn’t do any good. If
things don’t improve, I will have to send for
another doctor.
Say what you mean!
• My husband got his project cut off two
weeks ago, and I haven’t had any relief
since.
WRONG
•During our first class meeting, I will give
you a list of books from which to choose,
your assignment will be to …
Right
•During our first class meeting, I will give you
a list of books from which to choose; your
assignment will be to…
WRONG
• Hey Miss Staci I just wanted…
Right
• Hey, Miss Staci, I just wanted…
WRONG
• If you could email me my second
placement as well.
• But if I have to go back and forth the 13th
and 14th thats what I have to do.
Right
• If you could, email me my second
placement as well.
• However, if I have to go back and forth the
13th and 14th, that’s what I have to do.
WRONG
• good deal. thanks for letting me know.
Right
• Good deal. Thanks for letting me know.
WRONG
• Mr. Poore, I am sorry that I did not email
you sooner, I was not in Class on
Wednesday. I was feeling pretty rough. I
did notify … though so that she know I
was not going to be there. If there is
anything that I should do to make up for
not beeing there plesae let me know!
Thank You,
Right
• Mr. Poore, I am sorry that I did not email
you sooner; I was not in class on
Wednesday. I was feeling pretty rough. I
did notify … so that she knew I was not
going to be there. If there is anything that
I should do to make up for not being there,
please let me know.
WRONG
• During Mrs. Edwards’ speech, she
informed the class on how a persons
reputation follows them everywhere
particularly in the educational field. She
spoke significantly on the topic of
background checks, and how the slightest
incident can ruin a persons future.
Right
• During Mrs. Edwards’ speech, she
informed the class on how a person’s
reputation follows him/her everywhere
particularly in the educational field. She
spoke significantly on the topic of
background checks and how the slightest
incident can ruin a person’s future.
WRONG
• …before getting her masters. I’m having
trouble with Blackboard so I don’t see how
I would be able to handle online courses.
Right
• …before getting her Master’s. I’m having
trouble with Blackboard; therefore, I don’t
see how I would be able to handle online
courses.
WRONG
• No sir I won't be in Martin until Sunday, but
I could make it there by Saturday if I could
meet with you sometime on Saturday?
Right
• No, sir, I won't be in Martin until Sunday,
but I could make it there by Saturday if I
could meet with you sometime on
Saturday.
WRONG
• If I was in the program, that would be the
same day.
Right
• If I were in the program, that would be the
same day.
WRONG
• She explained how activities can pull us
away from activities.
• …speaker that I could identify with.
• From her talk, I realized…
Right
• She explained how activities can pull us
away from preparing for class.
• …speaker with whom I could identify.
• From her talk I realized…
WRONG
• I think in many way they are good,…
• I think Mrs. Edwards’ talk went well.
Right
• In many ways they are good, …
• Mrs. Edwards’ talk went well.
10 Flagrant Grammar Mistakes
That Make You Look Dumb
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,100
0000308,39273376,00.htm
Dodge the Grammar Traps
• http://www.webpagecontent.com/arc_archi
ve/138/5/
5 Embarrassing Grammar Mistakes
• http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/col
umns/?article=embarrassinggrammar
Where Can I Get Help?
• http://englishplus.com/grammar/mistcont.h
tm
Other Pet Peeves
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Continue on
Separate out
Two twins
Widow woman
I have/haven’t took
I seen/I done
Here is/There is
Fewer/less
Quotation Marks
– .”
• ,”
–?”
»”?
»!”
–”!
• ”:
– ”;
“”Examples “”
•He asked, “What about the schedule conflicts?”
•Did he say, “Don’t worry about the schedule”?
•Robin exclaimed, “Holy shatner, Batman!”
•I am sick and tired of his answer to everything being “I don't
know”!
•Does “always” really mean “always”?
•Yes, “always” really does mean “always.”
A Real Example
The Romulus wireless network has been replaced by
“SkyNet for Guests”.
… If you need assistance creating an account or connecting
to “SkyNet for Guests”, please contact the Help Desk.
…When trying to connect to “SkyNet for Guests”, you will
initially be prompted to enter the WPA2 password. Once
they’re connected, they should open a web browser and see
the same captive portal page that was formerly used by
Romulus. After logging into the captive portal page, guests
will have web access. If a Guest needs assistance
connecting, please contact the Help Desk.
Stuff!
• Not only, but also
• A lot
• A bunch
• A great deal
• So
• You
• Justify (for me)
• Indefinite pronouns