writing tips
* Try to avoid Passive Voice
The passive voice allows you to avoid saying who did what, which are crucial questions. Watch out for the passive voice, often lurking in conjunction with the verb to be.
Passive: The general was killed. (Weak and evasive)
Active: Maria killed the general. (Better!)
Passive: The decision to sterilize the inmates was made last week. (Weak and evasive)
Active: The doctor decided to sterilize the inmates last week. (Better!)
* There/Their/They’re
This is confusing if you've never learned it. Now's the time to learn if you haven't already.
A. The adulterous couple hid behind the rocks over there.
B. The orphans ate their gruel.
C. They’re going to conduct the experiment at dawn.
* Its/It’s
This is particularly tricky, because apostrophes are usually used to show possession. "It" is an exception.
A. The dog ate its dinner from the gutter.
B. Have you seen that new machine? It’s going to change everything.
* (Someone) and I/ (Someone) and me.
So many people make this mistake. Don't be one of them. HINT: Pretend you're alone. If you'd say "I" if you were alone, you still say "I" when someone else is with you; if you'd say "me" if you are alone, you still say "me" when someone else is with you.
A. Homer and I tried out the new dance steps. [Correct, because if you were alone you'd say, "I tried out the new dance steps."]
B. Give it to Molly and me when you’re done. [Correct, because if you were alone you'd say, "Give it to me when you're done."]
* Singular/Plural Agreement
The workers were agitated.
The group of workers was agitated. [Make sure the verb agrees with the subject.]
* Italics versus Quotation Marks
Italicize novels, plays, and newspaper titles. Put “quotes” around chapters and article titles.
The passive voice allows you to avoid saying who did what, which are crucial questions. Watch out for the passive voice, often lurking in conjunction with the verb to be.
Passive: The general was killed. (Weak and evasive)
Active: Maria killed the general. (Better!)
Passive: The decision to sterilize the inmates was made last week. (Weak and evasive)
Active: The doctor decided to sterilize the inmates last week. (Better!)
* There/Their/They’re
This is confusing if you've never learned it. Now's the time to learn if you haven't already.
A. The adulterous couple hid behind the rocks over there.
B. The orphans ate their gruel.
C. They’re going to conduct the experiment at dawn.
* Its/It’s
This is particularly tricky, because apostrophes are usually used to show possession. "It" is an exception.
A. The dog ate its dinner from the gutter.
B. Have you seen that new machine? It’s going to change everything.
* (Someone) and I/ (Someone) and me.
So many people make this mistake. Don't be one of them. HINT: Pretend you're alone. If you'd say "I" if you were alone, you still say "I" when someone else is with you; if you'd say "me" if you are alone, you still say "me" when someone else is with you.
A. Homer and I tried out the new dance steps. [Correct, because if you were alone you'd say, "I tried out the new dance steps."]
B. Give it to Molly and me when you’re done. [Correct, because if you were alone you'd say, "Give it to me when you're done."]
* Singular/Plural Agreement
The workers were agitated.
The group of workers was agitated. [Make sure the verb agrees with the subject.]
* Italics versus Quotation Marks
Italicize novels, plays, and newspaper titles. Put “quotes” around chapters and article titles.