English 1302—Writing Skills II

1. English 1302—Writing Skills II I hate it when she spends all day grading papers.

2. Commas in QuotationsPage 281 A Writer’s Reference WhooHoo: “He called the ambulance to get help,” the policeman said. The policeman said, “You are under arrest.” The policeman said, “You are under arrest “(DPS). “You are under arrest,” the policeman said (DPS). Thumbs Down: “He called the ambulance to get help”, the policeman said. The policeman said, “You are under arrest”. The policeman said, “You are under arrest.” (DPS) “You are under arrest,” the policeman said. (DPS)

3. Commas in Series of WordsPage 261 A Writer’s Reference Langston Hughes poetry is concerned with racial pride, social justice, and the diversity of the African American experience.

4. Commas With Authors/TitlesPage 261 A Writer’s Reference Victor, a character in Sherman Alexie’s short story, This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona, has a friend, Thomas Builds-the-Fire. The poem, “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen, recalls the horror of World War I. Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” recalls the horror of World War I.

5. Commas and Introductory Phrases While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our campsite. (What!!!!) While we were eating, a rattlesnake approached our campsite.

6. Forget “also” Instead of writing: Also, the fireworks added to the excitement. He also wanted a chance in the race. How about writing: In addition, the fireworks added to the excitement. He wanted a chance in the race because he had waited for over an hour.

7. Sounds Like a Broken Record The agent stood by as the man filled out the rental car form. The woman next in line looked impatient as if she might walk away. The agent finally called for help. Waiting for a man to fill out the rental car form, the agent ignored the woman next in line who was growing impatient and looked as if she might walk away. Finally, the agent called for help.

8. Which and Who/Who and Which The man, which ran toward the bus, appeared late for an appointment. The bus, who waited at the corner, was 15 minutes behind schedule. The man, who ran toward the bus, appeared late for an appointment. (man, who) The bus, which waited at the corner, was 15 minutes behind schedule. (bus, which)

9. And Speaking of Which Do not use “which,” if you can avoid it, unless you have something you want to emphasize. The dog which is trotting down the street is mine. The dog that is trotting down the street is mine. The dog, which has a bad habit of biting people and is trotting down the street, is mine.