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Writing

Module Components

Module Links

Farran Norris (PPT by JJZ)

Module Responses

University of Toronto Interactive Tutorials

Tutor Session Guidelines

Scan the paper and determine whether mechanics are an issue limiting your ability to understand the writing sample.  If so, pick out one example of as many mechanical problems as time allows.  Subsequently, indicate your general impression of which two or three of the following items pose the greatest challenges to the writer. Highlight multiple examples of these errors without correcting them.

Mechanics checklist:
 

1.      sentence fragments http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/fragments.htm

2.      run-on sentences http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm

3.       odd # commas between subject and verb  http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm

4.      subject/verb agreement problems http:/grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm

5.      pronoun/antecedent agreement problems http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm

6.      pronoun consistency problems http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/consistency.htm

7.      verb tense consistency problems http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/consistency.htm

8.      dangling modifiers, especially beginning participial phrases  http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/modifiers.htm

9.      faulty parallelism  http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/parallelism.htm 

Subsequently, move on to address organizational issues and the strength of the thesis statement and supporting arguments.

If you are able to begin working on organization and thematic topics right away, highlight mechanical errors as you go and confirm that the writer understands the nature of these errors.

Do not proofread papers. 

An editing checklist can be found at:  http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/editing.htm#checklist