Writing Workshop

A place to go to better learn riteing, yo’!

Did You Ever Do A Complex Math Problem?

• One with a lot of steps?

• Did you ever get the answer wrong?

• Because you made one error in Step Three?

The Trouble With ‘You’

• When ‘you’ is used, the author is addressing the reader…and the reader is not in the story.– Example:

• It is unfair that they make you paint your face to be in Jack’s tribe.

– What is the problem?– Can you fix it?

Wear People No Word Choice

• Writers (anyone who puts pen to paper) need to convey to their readers that they know the rudiments of the English language.– Examples:

• Where & Were (This is a strange problem)

• Aloud & Allowed

• Their, There, & They’re

• It’s & Its

– Can you write an effective sentence for each?

My Opinion & I Don’t Need To Remind You

• ‘I’ is commonly used, but not always needed.• Writings where you do not need to remind the

reader that you are the writer:– Persuasive– Opinionated– Argumentative

• Leaving ‘I’ out makes your paper less debatable.• Makes your points more factual.

“Basically” Speaking

• Avoid using words and phrases such as:– Basically…– Kind of…– Sort of…

– It’s almost as if…

• These weaken any point you are trying to make.• You are better off taking a side and “running with

it”.

VPD – Vague Pronoun Disorder

•What is a pronoun?The part of speech that substitutes for nouns or noun phrases and designates persons or things asked for, previously specified

• Confusion ensues due to lack of specificity

– Example:• They do bad things to them on the island.

– What is the problem? When is it not a problem?

– Can you fix the problem?

So…

• Avoid using ‘so’ when writing, especially at the beginning of sentences.

• It is not formal enough.

• It is not a strong transition.– Example: So the next thing she did was…– Try!

• Immediately after doing that thing, she began…

Paragraphs Ahoy!

• Use paragraphs to develop paragraphs!• When to make a new paragraph:

– A new idea• Usually when you want to start a sentence with,

‘Another example…’

– A transition statement at the end of a paragraph• ‘I blame everything that happened on this one event.’

• You need to look over your work!

The Misplaced Modifier

• Part of a sentence that refers to the wrong thing– Example:

• He jumped into his car driven by his hamartia.

– What is the problem?– Can you fix it?

Contractionitis

• When writing formal works, avoid contractions.

• They aren’t as formal.

WAIT…

• They are not as formal.

“My Paper Is About…”

• Avoid using such phrases because…– They are banal– They lack style

• Similar to the avoid ‘I’ tip

• Besides, it’s not a paper, it’s an opportunity to express yourself!– Writing, it’s a mental state

I Your Style

• Try adding some style to your writing.– Can this be re-written?…

• We live in a fast-paced world.

– How about?…• Society is full of really bad people.

– One more…for fun…• William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, is about a man

who seeks revenge for his father’s death.

Why You Are Better Than The Computer

• According to SpellCheck on MS Word, the following is an acceptable sentence:

– A paper about Lord of the Flies:• The boys are stranded on an inland.

- A creative paper in the voice of Equality (a character from Anthem):

• The Council of Vacations warned people about me.

• Um…

Yes, I Know What To Do

• When responding to a ‘yes’ / ‘no’ question, always place a comma after ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

– Example:• Q – Would you like an Emu?

• A – Yes, I would love an Emu!