-How to write the title of a novel

-Silly errors!-Pronoun confusion-Faulty parallelism

-Formal vs. informal writing

Common Errors!

#1 – Titles of novels

Bilbo Baggins is an endearing character in the novel, The

Hobbit.(typed)OR

Bilbo Baggins is an endearing character in the novel, The Hobbit.(written by hand)

#1 – Titles of novels

#2 – Silly Stuff!

DEFIANTLY

DEFINITELY

#2 – Silly Stuff!

Don’t use...HUGE/ENORMOUS/LARGE/

BIGUse...

SIGNIFICANT/IMPACTFUL/ETC.

#2 – Silly Stuff!

Role models have an enormous impact on teens.

#2 – Silly Stuff!

Role models have an enormous impact on teens.

Role models have a significant impact on teens.

#2 – Silly Stuff!

They / Them / Their

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

When a child is going through their adolescent years.

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

When a child is going through their adolescent years.

When they are going through their adolescent years

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

When a child is going through their

adolescent years. X

When they are going through their

adolescent years. YES!

When a child is going through his/her

adolescent years. YES!

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

A child’s mind is susceptible to this as they develop opinions...

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

A child’s mind is susceptible to this as they develop opinions...

Children’s minds are susceptible to this as they develop opinions...

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

A child’s mind is susceptible to this as

they develop opinions... X

Children’s minds are susceptible to this as they develop opinions... YES!

A child’s mind is susceptible to this as he/she develops opinions... YES!

Look for...They / Them /

TheirThe pronoun must match

the noun!

#3 – Pronoun Confusion

Oooh, sounds complicated!

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

Bilbo leaves himself time, he thinks for a very long time about the problems before acting, he

observed the behaviours of others closely, rest if the situation is safe, which provides him with

enough information to act at the right moment.

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

Bilbo leaves himself time, he thinks for a very long time about the problems before acting, he

observed the behaviours of others closely, rest if the situation is safe, which provides him with

enough information to act at the right moment.

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

That’s a list of 5 things about Bilbo!

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

That’s a list of 5 things about Bilbo!Note: 5 is probably too many

for one sentence!

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

So, let’s just take the first three things...

Bilbo leaves himself time, he thinks for a very long time about the problems before acting, he

observed the behaviours of others closely.

#4 – Faulty Parallelism

Faulty parallelism is when the start of each item in the list is not “PARALLEL” – doesn’t match!

Faulty parallelism is when the start of each item in the list is not “PARALLEL” – doesn’t match!

Bilbo leaves himself time, he thinks for a very long time about the problems before acting, and he observed the behaviours of others closely.

Faulty parallelism is when the start of each item in the list is not “PARALLEL” – doesn’t match!

Bilbo leaves himself time, he thinks for a very long time about the problems before acting, and he observed the behaviours of others closely.

Bilbo leaves himself time, thinks for a very long time about the problems before acting, and observes the behaviours of others closely.

I believe that all students should be issued a laptop.

  

 

#5 – Formal vs. Informal

I believe that all students should be issued a laptop.

  

Fix: All students should be issued laptops.

 

#5 – Formal vs. Informal

The laptops had considerable weight, and when in our backpacks with our heavy binders, they put quite a strain on our

backs.  

 

 

#5 – Formal vs. Informal

The laptops had considerable weight, and when in our backpacks with our heavy binders, they put quite a strain on our

backs.  

Fix: The laptops had considerable weight, and when in a backpack with heavy binders, they put quite a strain on a student’s back.

 

 

#5 – Formal vs. Informal

We are teenagers, and when you give us something expensive, some kids are bound

to break them.  

 

 

#5 – Formal vs. Informal

We are teenagers, and when you give us something expensive, some kids are bound

to break them.  

Fix: Teenagers are bound to break such expensive laptops.

 

 

#5 – Formal vs. Informal

Avoid 1st and 2nd person! 

 

 

Avoid 1st and 2nd person! 

 1st Person…

 

 

IMe

MineMyWe OurUs

Avoid 1st and 2nd person! USE THIRD PERSON!!! 

 1st Person…

 

  2nd Person…I

MeMineMyWe OurUs

YouYourYours

She/ She’sHe/ He’s

It/It’s

TheyThem

Their/Theirs

3rd Person…

  

 

 

That’s today’s lecture!