Unfortunately, the spelling and grammar programs built
into word processing programs will not catch many common
grammar, word-choice, and syntax errors. If you struggle
mostly with issues like correct punctuation, missing words
and typos, incomplete sentences, verb-tense shifts, comma
splices, subject-verb agreement, and homophone errors
(e.g., using "it's" when "its" should be used), it will be very much worth
your while to consider using the free version of Grammarly
to assist you in proofreading.
Keep in mind that you shouldn't mindlessly accept all of the suggestions you receive from grammar-improving software, since these programs highlight many issues that require you to determine whether there really is a problem. One advantage to paying close attention to the feedback Grammarly or similar software provides is that these programs can help you to identify areas where you consistently are making errors so you can improve your writing skills.
Software is a particularly poor substitute for careful
proofreading to catch awkward phrasing and the use of
"sophisticated" words that do not fit the context in which
they are being used. Grammar checkers also will not help
you to identify poor sentence structure (i.e., "syntax"
issues) or poor paragraph structure, where disparate ideas
have been jumbled together without transitions, making it
hard for the reader to figure out exactly what you are
trying to say. If your instructor feedback identifies lots
of grammar and phrasing issues, you should start to
address the problem by paying much closer attention to the
use of punctuation and phrasing when you are reading other
authors' writing. Look for patterns and rules for when
commas are used, how citations are punctuated, and where
dashes, hyphens, semi-colons, parentheses, periods, and
quotation marks belong.
If you receive feedback indicating that your writing is
hard to follow, the phrasing is awkward, or earn a low
"clarity" grade, try reading your writing aloud so that
you can do a better job of catching awkward phrasing,
paragraphs that do not make sense, and syntax issues. Even
students who have a strong command of grammar when
speaking often struggle to communicate their ideas
elegantly in professional writing. If this sounds like
you, eschew the lure of employing "erudite" phrasing
unless you are convinced of each declaration's tangible
denotation (That is: avoid using “sophisticated” phrasing
where you are not certain of each word’s actual meaning
within the context you are using it).
Improving your grammar is not something that will just happen without effort and systematic study, and you probably will need to do a little research to address recurring issues. Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a terrific resource for learning how to address specific grammar issues. At a bare minimum, before submitting any paper in my class, please double-check for these very common problems:
Comma issues. Mistakes using commas (either
leaving them out or putting them in the wrong place)
can make your writing very hard to read, so please
review this handout
(adapted from OWL) to help you review the
rules for correct comma usage. The OWL
site has a
quick set of exercises to help you practice
correct comma usage,
Comma splices. This is a writer uses a comma to join two clauses that can stand alone as separate sentences. Instead of joining them with a comma, use a semi-colon, a comma and conjunction, or two separate sentences. If you are getting feedback that you are using "comma splices," it will be helpful for you to review this handout on this common issue.
Problems with other types of punctuation. Simply guessing about the correct use of these common forms of punctuation will result in grammatical errors, some of which change the meaning of a sentence:
Avoid random capitalization. Do not begin words with an upper-case letter just because a term, phrase, or concept is important; instead, follow basic rules of capitalization for proper nouns.
Punctuate sentences with citation correctly, including placing quotation marks, periods, and commas in the proper place. See this handout for examples of using the APA format. If you need more help specifically on the placement of quotation marks when citing work, see my handout for more detail on when and how to cite.
Avoid verb tense shifts. OWL has a good set of review exercises if you need general help in this area. Students typically struggle the most in using the correct tense to describe events that started in the past. In most cases, when something both started and finished in the past, use the preterite tense (e.g., I loved baseball when I was a kid). When an event started in the past and is still going on, use the past-imperfect tense (e.g., I have loved baseball since I was a kid). If an event was going on in the past and then a second event started and concluded, use the past-perfect (e.g., I had loved baseball since I was three years old, but when I turned ten, I decided that I liked soccer more).
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