WR2 - Writing and Conventions Review Lesson
Writing and Conventions Review
No matter what career field you enter, you will need the skills to communicate appropriately - even if it is just to write an email. Because of this, it is important for to know how to communicate properly using proper conventions.
If you are a new student in this course, take some time to review the rules for creating organized, well-developed, fully-supported pieces of writing with proper conventions by clicking on the Georgia Virtual Learning Shared Resources Link in the sidebar.
After reviewing the writing information, practice understanding or reviewing the Writing 102 Vocabulary below:
Conventions
The mechanics of writing are not easy rules to remember, but are imperative to elevate the style of academic writing. This module will review the following conventions: proper pronoun usage, active voice, parallel structure, and subject/verb agreement.Proper Pronoun Usage
Using pronouns correctly involves the understanding of two types of pronoun errors: pronoun reference errors and pronoun agreement errors.
Pronoun Reference Errors occur when a writer uses a pronoun that does not refer to a specific noun. View the examples below:
Pronoun Reference Error: When the car hit the pole, it was not damaged.
(Does the pronoun "it" refer to the car or the pole?)
Corrected: When the car hit the pole, the pole was not damaged.
Pronoun Reference Error: I don't think they understand the lesson.
(Who are "they"?)
Corrected: I don't think the students in the Math class understand the lesson.
Pronoun Reference Error: If you put this feather in the hat, you can use it later.
(Does "it" refer to the feather or the hat?)
Corrected: If you put this feather in the hat, you can use the feather later.
Pronoun Agreement Errors occur when a pronoun does not agree in number or person (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person). View the examples below:
Pronoun Agreement Error: If a student purchases books too early, they might have to return the books later.
(The noun "student" is singular, but the following pronoun "they" is plural)
Corrected: If a student purchases books too early, he or she might have to return the books later.
(The noun "student" is singular, and the following pronouns "he or she" are singular)
Pronoun Agreement Error: When a person goes to work, you should bring the material for the meetings.
(The noun "person" is 3rd person, but the pronoun switches to 1st person)
Corrected: When a person goes to work, he or she should bring the material for the meetings.
(The noun "person" is 3rd person, and the pronouns are now 3rd person)
*Note that the words everybody, anybody, anyone, each, neither, nobody, someone, a person , etc. are singular and take singular pronouns.
Pronoun Usage Self-Assessment
Review your understanding of Pronoun Usage in the self-assessment below.
The Active Voice
'Voice' in writing refers to the verb in the sentence and plays a major role in establishing an elevated style of writing. Active voice establishes an authoritative tone and appears in most higher-level writing. When a writer constructs a sentence in active voice, the subject is or does the verb, and when a sentence is in passive voice, the subject is acted upon by the verb. View the examples of active and passive voice below:
Active Voice: The boy kicked the ball.
Passive Voice: The ball was kicked by the boy.
In the example using active voice, readers can clearly identify the subject as "The boy" because "The boy" clearly performs the action. In the example using passive voice, upon quick glance, "The ball" appears to be the subject. However, "The ball" is not performing the action, but due to the nature of passive voice, the sentence is not as clear. View another example of active and passive voice below:
Active Voice: Sandra bought the bread yesterday.
Passive Voice: The bread was bought by Sandra yesterday.
Technically, there are no grammatical errors in the examples. However, writing in active voice produces the most direct and clear form of communication, so writers should not use passive voice without a reason to do so. Using the authoritative nature of active voice strengthens a writer's style and tone, so try to make sure all pieces of writing contain active voice.
Passive and Active Voice Usage Self-Assessment
RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.