sstc: proofreading workshop
TRANSCRIPT
PROOFREADINGFormatting, Grammar, &
Punctuation
Proofreading
• Proofreading is checking a work’s technical accuracy.• Technical issues like formatting, grammar, and punctuation
should be checked last, after all the creative work is done.
• Formatting styles make written works more appealing.
• Formats are like gift-wrap.
• Each formatting style has its own rulebook; that’s how you check formats.
• Grammar and punctuation govern how we write.• Memorize all the rules.
• Or, diagram sentences.
Sentence Diagrams
• Diagrams denote the role of each element in a sentence.• Diagramming is a methodical process. Go slowly, word-by-word.
Verbs
Subjects
Objects & PredicatesModifiers
Conjunctions
Verbs
The professor smiled and thanked the class for a great semester.
• Verbs indicate the action or condition of the sentence.I have been an avid
Star Wars fan since I was young.
• Each sentence requires at least one main verb but may also include helping verbs.
What should I have done?
Action Verbs
Sensory Verbs
Being Verbs(To Be)
Helping Verbs To Do
To Have
Modals
Linking Verbs
Subjects
• Each Verb requires a Subject—a Noun or Pronoun.• To identify a Subject, ask yourself “Who or what [Verb]?”
Nouns
Standard Persons, Places, Things, & Ideas
Gerunds [Base Verb + -ing]
Infinitives To [Base Verb]
Pronouns
Subjective I We You He/She/It They
Relative That Which Who
Indefinite Pronouns that refer to unspecific nouns.
Studying is beneficial for everyone.
The movie, which stars Jenifer Lawrence,
should finish by 9 p.m.
We smiled and thanked the class for
their attention.
Verb-Subject Agreement
• Verbs and Subjects must agree in person and number.• Each subject has a
set perspective—1st, 2nd, or 3rd—and number—1 or >1.
• Each verb has forms to indicate tense and match subjects.
• Use a chart to match the correct form to its subject.• Beware To Be….
Someone has stolen my lunch; I am going
to find out who.
Someone have stoled my lunch; I’ll going
find out who.
I am fine. Are Elena and Amanda okay?
Last night, Alex wrote the presentation and
finished it
We love when our professor cancels
class.
I be fine. Was Elena and Amanda okay?
Last night, Alex writed the presentation
and finish it.
We loves when our professor cancel class.
Verb-Subject Agreement1st Person 2nd Person 3rd Person
I We You He/She/It They
Present Tense [Base] [Base][Base + -s/-es/-
ies][Base]
Past Tense
Regular [Base + -d/-ed/-ied]
IrregularUh, it’s irregular. Irregular verbs follow their own vowel
changes.
Future Tense Will + [Base]
Perfect TensePresent
Have + [Past]
Have + [Past]
Has + [Past]Have + [Past]
Past Had + [Past]
Progressive Tense [To Be] + [Base + -ing]
FormsofTo Be
Present Am Are Are Is Are
Past Was Were Were Was Were
Future Will + Be
Perfect [To Have] + Been
Progressive
[To Be] + Being
Objects & Predicates
• Verbs often affect Direct Objects or link to Predicates. • To find either, ask “[Subject] [Verb] who or what?”
The crazy brown squirrel stole my
lunch, so I did not eat.
There is a way to exercise without hurting yourself.
Julia made me cookies but forgot that I am not fond of them.
Nouns & Pronouns
Action Verbs
Sometimes Necessary
Indirect Objects: “[S] [V] [DO] to/for whom?”
Objects
Nouns, Pronouns, & Modifiers
Linking Verbs
Always Necessary
Predicates
Modifiers
• Modifiers modify the traits of elements in a sentence.
Adjectives
• What? Which? Whose? • Nouns & Pronouns
Adverbs
• When? How? Where? Why? • Adjectives, Verbs, & Adverbs
Prepositions
• When? Where?• Object of the Preposition
• Modifiers must be applicable to their target and should be as close as possible.
• Some Modifiers require extra punctuation.• Are two coordinating adjectives targeting the
same element? Use a comma between them.
• Does an adverbial modifier or phrase begin a sentence? Use a comma after the modifier.
• Does a modifying phrase include non-essential information? Flank it with commas.
Earlier, a crazy brown squirrel stole my watch from me.
Jimmy, one of my students, always sleeps in class.
Modifiers
• Modifiers modify the traits of elements in a sentence.
• Move any modifier that can’t apply to its nearest target or is far from its target.
• Use a comma if…• …two adjectives
target the same element.
• …an adverbial starts a sentence.
• …a phrase is non-essential.
The lawyer who worked on copyrights died, yesterday evening.
The lawyer, who worked on copyrights,
died yesterday evening.
If I fail another quiz I will real cry.
Churning in the ocean, the report about the
storm was dire.
Earlier an evil crazy squirrel stole my delicious lunch.
If I fail another quiz, I will really cry.
The report about the storm churning in the
ocean was dire.
Earlier, an evil, crazy squirrel stole my delicious lunch.
Conjunctions
• Conjunctions join separate elements within a sentence.
Coordinators
• Loosely Similar Elements• F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
Correlators
• Parallel Elements• Conjunctive Pairs
Subordinators
• Transform Independent Clauses into Modifiers
• Joined elements should usually be parallel—equal in function, tense, and complexity.
• Some Conjunctions require punctuation.• Does it join three or more elements? Use a
comma after each element except the last.
• Does it join multiple independent clauses? Use a comma before the conjunction.
• Does it create a modifier that starts the sentence? Use a comma after the modifier.
Not only did Jenifer direct the film, but she
also performed in it.
Alex did well on the test because he took notes and studied.
Conjunctions
• Conjunctions join separate elements within a sentence.
• Rephrase joined elements to make them parallel.
• Use a comma if…• …three or more
units are joined.
• …an independent clause is joined to another one.
• …a dependent clause begins the sentence.
You must finish your vegetables, before you
eat dessert.
You must finish your vegetables before you
eat dessert.
Peggy asked to see you. But I’m sure
you’re not in trouble.
I like pie, and my uncle’s boss also likes
a variety of pies.
After the show, we smiled bowing, and
thank everyone.
Peggy asked to see you, but I’m sure
you’re not in trouble.
My uncle’s boss and I like a variety of pies.
After the show, we smiled, bowed, and thanked everyone.
Sentence Structure
• A Complete Sentence needs a complete thought.
• 1 Independent Clause• (.), (?), or (!)
Simple Sentence
• 2+ Independent Clauses
• (;) or (, [Conjunction])
Compound
• 1+ Independent Clauses
• 1+ Dependent Clauses
Complex
• Sentences are comprised of clauses—verb-subject pairs supported by other elements.• Independent Clauses include a full thought.
• Without at least one, you have a fragment.
• Punctuation joins and separates clauses.• Periods, question marks, and exclamation
points denote the end of a complete sentence.
• Semi-colons and commas with a conjunction can join related independent clauses.
Not only did Jenifer direct the film, but she
also performed in it.
Alex did well on the test because he took notes and studied.
Sentence Structure
• A Complete Sentence needs a complete, full thought.
• Rewrite any phrase lacking a single complete thought.
• Join closely related thoughts with a (;).
• Join loosely related thoughts with a (,) and a conjunction.
• Separate unrelated thoughts with a (.), a (?), or a (!).
The crazy squirrel stole my delicious
lunch.
The crazy squirrel stole my lunch would have been delicious.
Alex works really hard; he wants his
students to succeed.
Prof. Daniels wanted to skip class, so he
could catch the movie.
After you proofread, you should take a
break from writing.
Alex works really hard; he loves donuts.
Prof. Daniels wanted to skip class so he
could catch the movie.
After you proofread; you should take a
break from writing.
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