grammar: why does it matter?

26
GRAMMAR: WHY DOES IT MATTER? Clear communication starts here.

Upload: yana

Post on 22-Feb-2016

38 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Clear communication starts here. Grammar: Why Does It Matter? . Your Words = Your Brand. A great story will be destroyed by poor writing. Studies have shown poor grammar makes readers question: Intelligence Trustworthiness Quality Potentially everything you write in the future. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

GRAMMAR: WHY DOES IT MATTER? Clear communication starts here.

Page 2: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Your Words = Your Brand

A great story will be destroyed by poor writing.

Studies have shown poor grammar makes readers question:

Intelligence Trustworthiness Quality Potentially everything you write in the future

Page 3: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

So who notices?

Your readers

Employers, supporters

And 420,000 people (and growing) on Facebook who are fans of “I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammar”

(Also now a popular book)

Page 4: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Does your message make sense?

Page 5: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Check the spelling.

Page 6: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?
Page 7: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?
Page 8: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Watch for unintended double meanings. Are you mocking someone?

Page 9: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

The tiniest proofing error can equal disaster.

Story: incumbents = incompetents

Proof. Proof again.

Page 10: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Result

“The three incompetents seeking reelection were at Wednesday’s debate.”

Page 11: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Common Mistakes

too, to, two

To is used as a direction or in comparison.Too is used when describing excessiveness or meaning in addition.And two is, well, 2!

Page 12: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

there, their, they’re

There is a place.Their is a pronoun.They’re means they are.

Page 13: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

It’s vs. its

It’s means it is.Its is the possessive form, showing ownership.

Page 14: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Who or whom?

Use who when it can be replaced by or answered with he.

Who asked for the ice cream? He asked for ice cream.

Use whom when the word can be replaced by him. To whom should I give this ice cream? You should give the ice cream to him.

Page 15: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Then and than

Than is used to contrast objects. Then is used in a time sequence.

Page 16: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

It’s not “could of” or “would of.”

It’s “could have” or “would have.”

Page 17: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

lay or lie

Lay is an action word. Please lay the book on the table.

Lie is to recline on a horizontal plane. He lies on the beach all day.

Lie also means to make something untrue. Thou shall not lie.

Page 18: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Passive voice vs. active voice

Passive: The tuition bill was paid by his mom.

Active: His mom paid the tuition bill.

Page 19: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Does it sound like Master Yoda?

Page 20: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Tricks, tools and where to look

AP Stylebook Dictionary Google News Don’t be afraid to look things up!

Page 21: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Key Areas of the AP Stylebook

Datelines – There are about 20 U.S. cities that stand alone without their states.

Page 22: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

State abbreviations – Postal codes are different. I mail something to Globe, AZ but news reports come from Globe, Ariz.

Page 23: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Numbers – Spell out 1-9 (one through nine) and use figures for 10 and greater.

Page 24: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Capitalization – Avoid unnecessary capitals. Ex: Job categories are not capitalized. She is a Nurse. He is a Teacher.

Page 25: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

Titles (people and compositions) – How do you write about the president or a popular TV show?

Page 26: Grammar: Why Does It Matter?

There are six things wrong here:

Two administrators and 3 teachers have resigned from Galena Park ISD after district officials found evidence of staff-led cheating on the high-stakes TAKS test.

The resignations came Monday from Dianne Edwards, the principle of Normandy Crossing Elementary School; assistant principle Tonia Bush; and three unnamed teachers, according to district spokesman Craig Eichhorn. He said two other teachers initially suspected of being involved have been cleared of wrongdoing.

Because of the suspected cheating, all fifth-grade students at Normandy Crossing will have to retake the math and reading sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills the last week of June, Eichhorn said.

The district's investigation found evidence that staff changed fifth-graders' answers on the TAKS in April and also helped students correct wrong answers.

The district plans to complete it’s investigation by Friday, Smith said, and has turned over it’s findings so far to the Texas Education Agency. The incident could affect the school's and the district's accountability ratings.