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Writing Suggestions. Ms. Miller. Use Strong Verbs. Be verbs (is, are, was, were, be, am, been) are grammatically correct if used properly; however, they are weaker than action verbs. Attempt action verbs.
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Writing Suggestions Ms. Miller
Use Strong Verbs • Be verbs (is, are, was, were, be, am, been) are grammatically correct if used properly; however, they are weaker than action verbs. Attempt action verbs. • Often one action verb is stronger than a verb phrase with a linking or helping verb (helps instead of is helping)
Avoid “there” statements • There are many similarities between the plowman and the parson. • Many similarities exist between the plowman and the parson. Or • Chaucer presents many similarities between the plowman and the parson.
Write about literature in the present tense • “The Pardoner lies.” rather than “The Pardoner lied.” • “Chaucer despises hypocrisy.” rather than “Chaucer despised hypocrisy.” • “The Miller plays the bagpipes.” rather than “The Miller played the bagpipes.”
Avoid run-on sentences • A run-on sentence is created when two or more independent clauses (a group of words with a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a sentence—complete thought) are punctuated incorrectly.
Punctuating two independent clauses • Two independent clauses may be written as two separate sentences—utilize a period and a capital letter to correct • Two independent clauses may be divided with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, etc.) • Two independent clauses may be separated by a semicolon.
Punctuating two independent clauses • Two independent clauses may be separated by semicolon, a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, nonetheless, etc.), and a comma • Two independent clauses may be separated by a colon if the first introduces a second clause which modifies the first. (This usage occurs infrequently—do not force!)
Presenting verse line in prose • Chaucer begins “The Prologue” with “When April with his showers sweet with fruit/The drought of Match has pierced unto the root” which announces the pilgrimage takes place in the spring (1-2).
Avoiding a full-blown introduction or conclusion • If this concept is selected, the reduced introduction and conclusion should be come a part of another paragraph (introduction part of first body paragraph and conclusion part of last body paragraph) rather than standing alone as a very short paragraph.