A

A Basic
Basic Spelling
Spelling &
&
Punctuation
Punctuation
Review
Review
Some Basic Usage Problem Areas
Why not just
tell the whole
• Spelling Errors world that I
Abbreviation have problems?
Word division
Capitalization
Homonyms
Contractions
• Punctuation Errors
 Why is it important to pay
attention to spelling or
punctuation usage?
• To write clear Standard American
English (SAE) messages.

• To meet proofreading expectations of

and communication demands on college
writers.

• To meet your personal writing standards

or your need to write well in your
academic, business and personal lives.

• To teach you to assess and evaluate your

own writing strengths or deficits.
 Back
Back to
to Basic
Basic
Grammar
Grammar

First,
Spelling.
 Spelling Rules
Put i before e
Except after c
Or when it sounds like a
As in neighbor or neigh.
Examples:
Line 1:mischief (i before e)
Line 2:receiver (except after c)
Line 3:weight (as in neigh)

Some i before e Exceptions:

neither
leisure
foreign

Source: http://www.mc3.edu/aa/lal/workshops/wksp_spelling/spellingrules.html
 Spelling Rules (Cont.)

If the suffix or verb ending begins with a vowel, drop the final e.

Examples: amuse + ing = amusing 

creative + ity = creativity

If the suffix or verb ending begins

with a consonant, keep the final e.

Examples: measure + ment = measurement 

definite + ly = definitely

Source: http://www.mc3.edu/aa/lal/workshops/wksp_spelling/spellingrules.html
 Spelling Rules (Cont.)
If the word has a consonant before the y, change the y to i.

Example: mercy + less = merciless

If the word has a vowel before the y, keep the y.

Example: deploy + ed = deployed

Words that end in ss, sh, ch or x add -es.

Example: stitch = stitches; box=boxes

For words that have a consonant before a final y, change the

y to i before adding -es.
Example: summary = summaries

Source: http://www.mc3.edu/aa/lal/workshops/wksp_spelling/spellingrules.html
 Spelling Rules (Cont.)
ENGLISH SPELLING RULES FOR SHORT AND LONG VOWELS

Short Vowels
1. To spell a short vowel sound, only one letter is needed:
 
Examples: combat         shred     exit    hot     super

Long Vowels
2. To spell a long sound you usually must add a second vowel, or you may
use the consonants y or w in place of the vowel.

Examples: reach loose soup seize sky

Now, pick out the short and long vowel sounds in this word:
Psychological
Answer:
Psychological
Source:
http://www.dysle
xia.org/spelling_r
ules.shtml
 Spelling Rules (Cont.)
“There are two kinds of suffixes, those that begin with a vowel
and those that begin with a consonant. [Usually] spelling
problems . . . occur with vowels.”
Vowel Suffixes   Consonant Suffixes
- - - age  - - -ist  - - - ness - - - cess
- - - ant  - - - ish  - - -less - - -ment
- - -ance  - - -ing  - - -ly  - - -ty
- - - al - - -ar  - - -ful  - - -ry
 - - -ism  - - -o  - - -hood  - - -ward
- - -able  - - -on  - - -wise  

- - -an - - -ous    

---a  - - -or    

- - -es  - - -ual    

- - -ed  - - -unt    

- - -er - - -um    

- - -est   - - -us    

- - -y  - - -ive    

Source: http://www.dyslexia.org/spelling_rules.shtml
 Spelling Rules (Cont.)
Homonyms & Homophones
HOMONYMS – words that sound similar, but have different meanings and spellings

Example: affect-effect; they're-their-there; fell-fail

Hint: Often, you can use affect as a verb.

Verb: His rowdy behavior negatively affects (influences) many people.
Hint: The word effect is used as a noun or verb.
Noun: Researchers are studying the effects of the war on children.
Verb: Only the president can effect (bring about or cause) positive changes.

HOMOPHONE – a word (type of homonym) that is pronounced the same as another

word. The words may be spelled differently or the same.
Examples: foul (odor) / fowl (bird) or rose (flower) / rose (past tense of “rise”)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_
homophonous_phrases
 Spelling Rules (Cont.)

CONTRACTION -- A word or phrase

that has been shortened by leaving
out some of the letters is called a
contraction.

An apostrophe is used to show that

the letters have been omitted (won’t
- will not), (o’clock - of the clock).

Source: http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/spelling_rules.htm
 List of Homonyms / Practice
 Review the list.
 When you use the wrong homonym, you change the entire meaning of
a sentence.

Practice Examples (Which ones are correct and why?):

(1)It’s time that people stop fighting.

Its time that people stop fighting.

(2)The cat hopped because it’s paw hurt.

The cat hopped because its paw hurt.

(3)Their heads appeared pointed and large.

There heads appeared pointed and large.

They’re heads appeared pointed and large.

 Spelling Rules – Capitalization
Unless rules of capitalization are followed, a word can contain all of the
correct alphabets in the correct order, yet still be wrongly spelled.

• The names of holidays are capitalized (Christmas, Valentine’s Day).

• The names of the months of the year and the days of the week are capitalized
(January, Monday).
• The names of countries and continents are capitalized (United States, Antarctica).
• When you write the name of a particular avenue or street, capitalize the words
avenue and street (Fifth Avenue, Oak Street).
• The abbreviations Mr., Mrs. and Ms. are always capitalized and followed by a period
(Mr. Smith, Mrs. Woods, Ms. Day).
• The names of deities are capitalized (God, Allah, Buddha, Saviour).
• The word republican is capitalized when it refers to the Republican party (The
Republicans won the election.).
• When words like senator and general are used as titles with a person’s name, they
are capitalized (General Powell)
• Capitalize the words capitol, senate, building, supreme and court when referring to
the Capitol Building, the Senate, the Supreme Court of Canada.

Source: http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/spelling_rules.htm
Spelling Rules (cont.)
~ SOME CUES to HELP YOU
SPELL SPECIAL WORDS ~

Compound Words are made by writing two small words

together to make one larger word. (news+ paper =
newspaper; some + body= somebody)

A root word is the root, or beginning word, from which

another word is made. Play is the root word of plays,
played and playing. Knowledge of roots can cue you
into correctly spelling some words.
(Remember the list of vocabulary roots I handed at the
Writing Descriptively workshop.)

Derived words are words that come from other words.

Suitable is derived from suit; advertisement from
advertise. Sometimes the spelling of the root word is
slightly changed in the derived word.
Source: http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/spelling_rules.htm
General Spelling Rules
For Numbers
Spell small numbers out in sentences.
Small numbers, such as whole numbers
smaller than ten, should be spelled out.
Examples and Exceptions:
1.Ten students passed the exam.
2.Only 1000 students passed the exam.
3.One thousand students took the exam. (Spell out any
number if it starts a sentence.)
4.Of the 1000 students that took the exam, only 25
passed it with at least a grade of D and only 9 students
scored a grade of C or better on it. (Be as consistent as
possible.)
Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft
End
End of
of Spelling
Spelling section
section
This
This way
way to
to Punctuation
Punctuation
 PROPER
PROPER
PUNCTUATION
PUNCTUATION

A Presentation to Help
Student Support
Services (SSS)
Participants Learn
Proper Punctuation
Placement and Avoid
Punctuation Pitfalls
 Relevance &
Purposes
 Relevance: * “Some people write well, yet allow
themselves to be disabled by a fear of punctuation
and grammar. They know how to pre-write,
organize, and revise, but proofreading for
punctuation and grammar causes them difficulties.
There’s no need to fear these conventions of
standard written English. In fact, these
conventions can help you become a more effective
communicator.” – Gary A. Olson

 Purpose: This PowerPoint Presentation is to provide

you with a review of proper punctuation usage.
*Quote retrieved at: http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/intro.html
 Commonly-applied Punctuation
Marks
Note: Periods,
Question Marks, and
•Period (.) Exclamation Points
•Question Mark (?) are END MARKS.
•Exclamation Point (!)
• Apostrophe ( ’ )
•Comma (,)
• Parentheses ( )
• Brackets [ ]
• Semicolon (;)
• Colon :
•Hyphen -
• Dash --
• Quotation Marks “” Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft
What is an end mark

An end mark is punctuation that

comes at the end of a sentence to let
you know when the sentence ends.

Punctuation supports reading by

helping readers know when the writer
has fully expressed an idea or point.
Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft
 The period is the most famous end mark. It comes
at the end of statements and commands.
It is raining today.

Do not interrupt while I am talking.

A question mark means something is being asked.

Are you going to lunch?

An exclamation mark shows excitement or strong

Feeling.
That is a huge dog!
Source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
The period is also used as more than just an end mark.

It is used in abbreviations, too:

 1290 College Rd .
 . .
E B White
 Ms. White
 Dr. Atchley

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt

 Remember,

An end mark comes at the END of a

sentence, and lets you know when to . . .

Now, there are several other members of the punctuation family.

Please continue to next slide . . .

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft
 The Colon
Not This one . . .


The colon is made with two periods.

It is used for time, and it comes before a list.

Example: 11:35pm
Example: I will need the following items from the store:
bananas, grapes, watermelon, and lemons.
 The Semi-colon
The semi-colon is made with a period over a comma. It is
a punctuation mark (;) used to separate parts of a sentence or list and
indicating a pause longer than a comma, but shorter than a period. In a
sentence, a transition word may follow the semi-colon.

Example: Latte is strong; however, he is no match

for the heroic energy of the sun.

;
 --THE DASH I can -- no,
I must -- I
must dash
A dash is a punctuation mark that writers use to toward the
denote a sudden break or shift in thought. finish line.
(One dash = Two hyphens)

Use the dash:

(1) to indicate a break or shift in thought: For example:
Example: Do we -- can we--dare we ask for more money?

(2) to introduce a word or group of words which you wish to

emphasize. Example: What he needed most he never got—
love.

3) to set off strongly distinguished parenthetical material:

Example: I think--no, I am positive -- you should go.

4) to indicate omission of letters and words: For Example:

Senator S-- was from my hometown.

--
 - THE HYPHEN
Mark Of Separation Used Between Parts Of A Word.

USE A HYPHEN:
1) To Separate (Join) The Parts Of Compound Words: Examples: fast-moving;
sister-in-law; half-asleep; X-ray; know-it-all; forty-seven; three-fourths

2) To Indicate The Division Of A Word Broken At The End Of A Line:

Examples: know-ledge, ste-no-gra-pher
a) Never divide a monosyllable: Example: strength, laughed
b) Do not divide a syllable with a silent vowel: Example: climbed, yelled
c) Do not divide a word with only 4 letters: Example: also, only, open
d) Divide two consonants standing between vowels: Example: struc-ture, alter-
native, exis-ten-tialism
e) Do not divide sums of money.
f) Do not divide initials in a name or in proper names.
g) Do not divide units of time.
USE QUOTATION MARKS
1) To enclose every direct quotation and each part of an interrupted quotation:
Example: “What will my starting salary be?” I asked the manager. “Well,”
he replied, “I’m not sure.”

2) in a dialogue. Use a separate paragraph for each change of speaker. Example:

“Dad,” cried Neil.
“There, there, everything will be just fine,” his dad said.

3) to enclose words with a widely different level of usage: Example: The person
who has “had it” so far is his mother.

4) to enclose chapter headings and the titles of articles:

Example: Grant wood’s famed painting, “American Gothic,” was recently
reproduced in American Gothic Journal.

USE SINGLE QUOTATION MARKS (‘) to enclose a quotation within a quotation.

Example: The coach said, ”when you say, ‘I’ll be there on time,’ I expect
you to mean what you say.”

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt

 THE APOSTROPHE’
. . . looks like a single quotation mark, but is used for a different purpose.

USES FOR AN APOSTROPHE:

1) To form a possessive. EX: Joe’s
mother’s brother
2) To indicate a contraction. EX: It’s,
which translates to It is.
3) To indicate omission of a letter from
words or a figure from numerals. EX:
Yes, ma’am.
4) To indicate the plurals of letters,
numerals, symbols, abbreviations.
EX: Only A’s, B’s and C’s are
considered passing grades at the Art
institute. Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft
 THE APOSTROPHE’
(cont.)

USE THE APOSTROPHE

1) And s to form the possessive case of a noun not ending in s:
Ex: Children’s; town’s
2) To form the possessive case of a plural noun ending in s:
Ex: Boys’ and ladies’ classrooms
3) Alone or with s to form the possessive of nouns ending is s:
Ex: Robert Burns’ or Burns’s (rule: words of one syllable)
4) and s in the last element of compound nouns:
Ex: My son-in-law’s boat; King Henry IV’s funeral; somebody
else’s ticket
5) To show that letters of figures have been omitted:
Ex: Aren’t; shouldn’t; the civil war was fought 1861-’65.
6) And s to indicate the plurals of numerals, letters, etc. Ex: Uncrossed
t’s look like 1’s. He uses too many and’s and but’s in speaking.

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt

Graphics: Microsoft
The Comma

,
The comma is used to separate a list.

Example: My favorite animals are giraffes, dogs, cats, and birds.

It is also used between the date and the year.

Example: Today is March 6, 2007, and I plan to enjoy today.

A comma can also tell you where to pause in a sentence.

Example: All is well, but not necessarily forgotten.

 Parenthesis
Parenthesis -- One of a pair of shallow, curved signs
(, ) used to enclose an additional inserted word or
comment and distinguish it from the sentence in
which it is found. Parentheses (plural) – [Definition from
Microsoft version of Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]
Parentheses are round brackets:  ( )

Example:
Riva (Her name means “one who captivates or
possesses an “ensnaring beauty.”) wandered off into
the forest and was lost for three days and two
nights.
 Bracket
Bracket – (1) one of a pair of symbols, often [ ], used in
keying or printing to indicate the insertion of special
commentary, such as that made by an editor; (2) an
alternative to parentheses. Brackets (plural)
[Definition from Microsoft version of Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]

Example:
Riva [Her name means “one who captivates or
possesses an “ensnaring beauty.”] wandered off into
the forest and was lost for three days and two
nights.
 Different Kinds of
Brackets
 box brackets or square brackets:  [ ]
 curly brackets or braces:  { }
 angle brackets or chevrons: < >
 parentheses or round brackets:  ( )

Source: Retrieved at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brackets