ACADEMIC WRITING

AN EXERCISE IN STYLE
Style is the signature of the author, the experience of his or her personality; consequently, the
primary objective of an author is precision of expression. The goal of correctness and effectiveness of
expression is to say what one means and to mean what one says.

Listed below are explanations and examples of a few stylistic errors which you ought to avoid in
the draft or remedy in the revision of your writing.

MISPLACED MODIFIERS
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is out of place, resulting in an awkward or
confusing sentence. In most cases, modifiers should be near the words they modify. This is particularly true
for the following words: almost, just, hardly, even, not, nearly, merely, and only.

For example:
MM: I turned in my essay to Ms. Jinx that had been revised.
Clear: I turned in my essay that had been revised to Ms. Jinx.
I turned in my revised essay to Ms. Jinx.
MM: Ms. Jinx only grades one revision of each paper.
Clear: Ms. Jinx grades only one revision of each paper.

Notice the several different possible locations for the adverb "only" in the following sentences. Each
one could be correct depending upon the writer's purpose. Which message would you wish to receive;
which message would you wish to send?

1. Only Jay said he loved me.

2. Jay only said he loved me.
3. Jay said he only loved me.
4. Jay said he loved only me.

DANGLING MODIFIERS
A dangling modifier is often an introductory word group with no clear reference to some other
word in the sentence. For example:

Dangling: After walking into the room, the radio was turned on.
Clear: After walking into the room, Joe turned on the radio.
After Joe walked into the room, he turned on the radio.
Dangling: Writing for five hours, the first draft was finally done.
Clear: Writing for five hours, she finally finished the first draft.
Dangling: Weary after such a long pilgrimage, the note told of his sojourns in many strange lands.
Clear: Weary after such a long pilgrimage, the traveler told of his sojourns in many strange lands.

FAULTY COMPARISONS
Comparisons in a sentence must be logical and complete. Faulty comparisons, however, equate
apples and oranges; that is, they make incompatible unions which often lead to problematic marriages.
For example, the concept of "other" and "else" could often make for more harmonious unions when the
subjects are compatible:

Faulty: I like you better than anybody.

Clear: I like you better than anybody else.
Faulty: You are brighter than any of my classmates.
Clear: You are brighter than any of my other classmates.
Faulty: Mr. Dee is tougher than any teacher at Sinclair.
Clear: Mr. Dee is tougher than any other teacher at Sinclair.
Also study the following examples:
Faulty: My car is nicer than my wife.
Clear: My car is nicer than my wife's (car).
Faulty: Ann is one of the best, if not the best, teacher at UD.
Clear: Ann is one of the best teachers at UD, if not the best.

OMISSIONS
Omissions, like other actions, are of two kinds: the correct and the incorrect. Correct omissions are
often found in adages and aphorisms; for instance, "To err is human, to forgive divine." However, writers
must be careful not to omit words that are necessary to their meaning.

Study these examples:

Incorrect: His homework is easy, but his tests difficult.
Correct: His homework is easy, but his tests are difficult.
Incorrect: I have and always will try to do my best on the job.
Correct: I have tried and always will try to do my best on the job.
Incorrect: I have written a story and essay about my vacation.
Correct: I have written a story and an essay about my vacation.

IS WHERE/IS WHEN
Generally, avoid using "is where/was where" or "is when/was when." A time is when; a place is
where, but a thing, idea, emotion, or act is what it is, just as a person is who he or she is. We define our
thoughts and feelings usually in terms of what they are. For example: Comedy is life viewed at a distance,
while tragedy is life viewed close at hand; life is comedy to one who thinks and tragedy to one who feels.
Even when used correctly, these constructions are wordy: "Eight o'clock is when I eat breakfast"
could just as well be written as "I eat breakfast at eight o'clock." "Dayton is where I live" could be written
more concisely as "I live in Dayton." In particular, avoid using them in definitions.

Study these examples:

Incorrect: Happiness is when you live in Dayton, Ohio.
Correct: Happiness is living in Dayton, Ohio.
Incorrect: A run-on is where two sentences are joined incorrectly.
Correct: A run-on is two sentences joined incorrectly.

STYLE PRACTICE
Choose the better sentence in each pair. Check your chosen answer.

Misplaced Modifiers
1.______ I handed the paper to Jerry that was not finished.
2.______ I handed the paper that was not finished to Jerry.
3.______ I studied almost five hours without stopping.
4.______ I almost studied five hours without stopping.

Dangling Modifiers
1.______ While studying for the test, the radio played.
2.______ While studying for the test, she played the radio.
3.______ A credit card is helpful when low on cash.
4.______ A credit card is helpful when you are low on cash.

Parallelism
1.______ He wrote about sex, music, and the way he liked to travel.
2.______ He wrote about sex, music, and travel.
3.______ You will neither talk nor write for the next hour.
4.______ You neither will talk nor write for the next hour.

Faulty Comparison
1.______ Mr. Jay's test is easier than Ms. Smith.
2.______ Mr. Jay's test is easier than Ms. Smith's.
3.______ This book is funnier than any other I've ever read.
4.______ This book is funnier than any I've ever read.

Omissions
1.______ His looks are above average but his voice pitiful.
2.______ His looks are above average, but his voice is pitiful.
3.______ She brought a snake and an alligator to the party.
4.______ She brought a snake and alligator to the party.

Is When/Is Where
1.______ A successful student is where one knows how to study well.
2.______ A successful student knows how to study well.
3.______ Frustration is when you can't think of a good topic.
4.______ Frustration is not being able to think of a good topic.

TRANSITIONS
Directions: Circle the best transitions from the choices in parentheses. Be prepared to explain your
answers. Pay attention to punctuation in addition to meaning.

1. I would like to see you tomorrow, (so/ however/ again) let’s have lunch together.
2. My sister loves to eat, (finally/ moreover/ but) I don’t care much about food.
3. That restaurant is awful. Yesterday, (and/ for example/ however), I found a bug in my soup.
4. She felt exhausted; (therefore/ nevertheless/ whereas), she took a nap.
5. He expected to do well on the test, (and then/ in brief/ for) he had studied diligently.
6. John eats five big meals a day; (as a result/ despite this/ hence), he never gains weight.
7. Josephine ate too fast. (Consequently/ Likewise/ In contrast), she had indigestion.
8. I was watching the game; (furthermore/ meanwhile/ first), the soup boiled over.
9. The music’s too loud. (Besides/ In fact/ Although), it’s making the windows rattle.
10. This morning, I will be in Dayton. (In effect/ Above all/ Later), I will be in Xenia.
11. I like to read; unfortunately, (so/ soon/ though), I hardly have any time to read for fun.
12. Before I wrote the research paper, I read five books; (in addition/ on the contrary/ yet), I scanned
seven magazine articles and interviewed two experts on the topic.
13. First, Hank went to the store; (even though/ then/ third), he visited his sister for an hour.
14. (Obviously/ Because/ As proof), these pants are too long; (instead/ for/ thus), they will need to be
altered before I can wear them.
15. Please, don’t forget the cat food and juice. (Nevertheless/ Furthermore/ For instance), bring the paper
plates, napkins, and cups for the picnic.
16. I enjoy learning; (to conclude/ in a way/ most of all), I like to learn new facts about nature.
17. Barbara, (without a doubt/ yet/ plus), is the best student in the class.
18. He concluded like this: “(Soon/ Next/ To sum up), there’s no business like show business.”
19.. I hate intolerance; (still/ that is/ to repeat), I try not to become bitter when I see it.
20. She had looked for a job for months. (Formerly/ Finally/ Before), she found one.
ACADEMIC WRITING
EXERCISES ON PUNCTUATION MARKS
Name: _______________________________
_______________________________
Date: ________________________________
Select the letter of the correctly written
sentence.
1. a. Dr Theodore Langley specializes in
dermatology
b. Dr. Theodore Langley specializes in
dermatology.
c. Dr. Theodore Langley specializes in
dermatology
2. a. My appointment is Tues at 6:15 PM.
b. My appointment is Tues. at 6:15 PM.
c. My appointment is Tues. at 6:15 P.M.
3. a. My neighbor,Mrs Dougherty, had to get an
M.R.I.
b. My neighbor,Mrs. Dougherty, had to get an
M.R.I..
c. My neighbor,Mrs. Dougherty, had to get an
M.R.I.
4. a. Mr. E. wanted to know if he could have his
job back.
b. Mr E. wanted to know if he could have his job
back?
c. Mr. E wanted to know if he could have his job
back.
5. a. Jeanine’s dorm. room is 60 sq ft.
b. Jeanine’s dorm room is 60 sq. ft.
c. Jeanine’s dorm. room is 60 sq. ft.
Correctly punctuate and rewrite each of the
following sentences on the lines provided.
6. When do you think you will arrive
7. Hooray The new phone books are here
8. I fly from Wash, DC to San Diego, CA.
9. Help The sink is overflowing
10. Mr Owen heard the lecture by Howard T
Sloan
11. On Wed I have tickets to the NASCAR
event
12. My sister asked if I had seen her notebook
13. Cool shoes Where did you get them
14. Will you check my homework for me
Add commas in the correct places.
1. No I did not know that.
2. Hoping for the best we drove further from the
highway.
3. When we visited St. Louis we saw the famous
arch.
4. Shocked she brought her hand up to her
mouth.
5. I rewound the tape, before we returned it to
the store.
Rewrite the following sentences and add
commas in the correct places.
6. My aunt a gourmet cook prepared
Thanksgiving dinner.
____________________________________
____________________________________
7. I took photographs of Adam Debbie’s baby.
____________________________________
____________________________________
8. Mr.Melvin the bus driver always tells me the
news.
____________________________________
____________________________________
9. Pretend you are King Arthur the leader of the
round table.
_______________________________________
10. Hasim goes bowling every Saturday an
event he looks forward to all week.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Examine the following sentences very
carefully. Look for the subordinating
conjunction to find the clause. If it is a
nonessential clause, rewrite the sentence with
commas. If it is an essential clause, write
essential on the line.
11. Randy who is one of the most talkative
people I have ever met has become my friend.
____________________________________
12. The adults who received the shot should not
get the flu this winter.
____________________________________
13. All the kittens that have had their shots are
ready to be adopted.
____________________________________
14. The letter which is strictly confidential was
addressed to me.
____________________________________
Rewrite the following sentences and add the
correct punctuation on the line provided. If
the sentence is correct as it appears, write
correct on the line.
15. The computer was covered each night yet it
still got dusty.
____________________________________
____________________________________
16. The winter storm brought eight inches of
snow so all schools in the area opened late.
____________________________________
____________________________________
17. The glasses fell of the shelf and broke.
____________________________________
____________________________________
18. The Yucatan Peninsula is beautiful but it is
being developed very quickly.
____________________________________
____________________________________
Rewrite the following sentences and add the
correct punctuation. If the sentence is correct
as it appears, write correct on the line.
19. The water damage caused the plaster to stain
crack and fall apart.
____________________________________
____________________________________
20. The reservations only included me Phil and
Charles.
____________________________________
____________________________________
21. The basketball court was cracked concrete
the rims were bent and the backboards were
covered in graffiti.
____________________________________
____________________________________
22. Howard and Roberta own the jewelry store.
____________________________________
Rewrite the following sentences and add
commas where necessary. If the sentence is
correct as it appears, write correct.
23. The SAT exam will be administered on
January
18 2004 in the school auditorium.
____________________________________
____________________________________
24. I sent the package to 7335 50th Street N.E.
Seattle Washington 98115.
____________________________________
____________________________________
25. The air show was in March 1999 in Santa
Clara.
____________________________________
26. Blake left for Minneapolis Minnesota
yesterday.
____________________________________
27. The United Nations is headquartered in New
York City.
____________________________________
____________________________________
28. The festival is in Las Vegas New Mexico in
May 2004.
____________________________________
____________________________________
Rewrite the following sentences and add
commas where necessary. If the sentence is
correct as it appears, write correct.
29. By the end however the crowd was on their
feet.
____________________________________
____________________________________
30. Gosh the hill looks steeper now that I am
standing at the top.
____________________________________
____________________________________
31. You cover their point guard Norm and Hal
you post up in the key.
____________________________________
____________________________________
32. We expected to play for an hour not ten
minutes.
____________________________________
____________________________________
–
Rewrite the following sentences adding
semicolons where they are needed.
1. I made it to the meeting on time however, I
will drive a different route next time.
____________________________________
____________________________________
2. Our trip took us to New Orleans, Louisiana,
Lubbock, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee.
____________________________________
____________________________________
3. When taking a standardized test, read all the
possible answers, do not just select the first
answer that seems correct.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
4. Gordon forgot to lock the storage closet
consequently, he worried that someone might
use the inventory.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
5. I forgot to pack a sleeping bag, Jan, her
raincoat, and Barry, his gloves.
____________________________________
____________________________________13
6. Adam finally fixed the windows they were
letting in the rain.
____________________________________
____________________________________4
Rewrite the following sentences adding colons
where they are needed.
7. The train leaves the station at 349 P.M.
____________________________________
8. The entire hockey team skated out onto the
ice Their star forward had been hit in the face
with a high stick.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
9. These employees may take their lunch at
1100 A.M. Rick Ouimet,Mercy Tullis, and
Lorraine Johnson.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
10. The first line of the Gettysburg Address
reads as follows Four score and seven years ago.
____________________________________
____________________________________
–
On the lines provided, rewrite the italicized
words using the correct possessive case. If it
appears in the correct form, write correct.
1. The parking attendant misplaced everyones’
keys.
____________________________________
____________________________________
2. Those are the childrens’ books.
____________________________________
3. The team would not refund it’s season ticket
holders.
____________________________________
____________________________________
4. The entire restaurant is ours.
____________________________________
5. All of the poets’ work was destroyed in the
fire and she was devastated.
____________________________________
____________________________________
6. Mr. Davis social studies class went on a trip
to the museum.
____________________________________
____________________________________
7. I left the report on my boss’ desk.
____________________________________
8. It is everyone’s dream to be successful.
____________________________________
Write the following sentences on the line
provided, inserting apostrophes where they
belong to make correct contractions and
possessive forms. If the sentence is correct as
it appears, write correct on the line.
9. You shouldve gone to the party.
____________________________________
10. Womens sports have become more popular.
____________________________________
11. Do you know whats going on?
____________________________________
12. Have you read the books on the reading list?
____________________________________
13. Whos in charge of Rubens report?
____________________________________
14. My cousins hat fell off at the beach.
____________________________________
15. They can take care of themselves.
____________________________________
16. She uses lots of verys in her writing.
____________________________________141
Rewrite the following sentences adding the
correct punctuation. Use the lines provided.
1. The director of the program asked “who are
the violin players”
____________________________________
____________________________________
2. “No trespassing” read the sign on the post.
____________________________________
3. The professor told us to “line up according to
height”
____________________________________
____________________________________
4. “I am positive”muttered Walter “that I left my
keys here”
____________________________________
____________________________________
5. “Get out of the building” shouted the
custodian “there is an electrical fire in the switch
room”
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
6. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address begins “four
score and seven years ago”
____________________________________
____________________________________
– they lost 52 6.
Use the correct punctuation. Add when
necessary.
7. What do you suppose Carolyn meant when
she said, I’m going to do something about
this?
8. The English teacher told the class, “Today we
are going to read Jabberwocky by Lewis
Carroll.”
9. The choir practiced Amazing Grace for the
upcoming concert.
10. Because of her black hair, she was nick-
named Raven.
11. “The coach told us to Start playing like we
want to win! and then she stormed out of the
locker room.”
12. The teenagers thought the old, dented van
was mad wack.
Add hyphens where they are needed.
1. Twenty six eight year old students visited the
Lincoln Memorial.
2. The ex professional mountain bike racer is
French Canadian.
3. A well spoken salesman told me about his
great grandfather.
4. The post operation physical therapy consists
of lifting eight pound weights.
5. Three fifths of the cars enter the S curves too
fast.
6. The coach re examined the tapes of the game
7. The deck will have six, nine, and twelve foot
sections.
8. The two pronged attack begins at exactly
eight forty in the morning.
9. My know it all brother is the vice chair of the
committee.
10. The all star pole vaulter is only five eight.
Add dashes where they are needed. 58
11. I remember where I was what Beatles fan
doesn’t when I heard that John Lennon was
shot.
12. Hello? Who? I am sorry, you have the
wrong number.
13. Speed, a strong arm, a good bat these are the
tools every center fielder should possess.
14. The bus ride the long, boring, bumpy bus
ride took twice as long as they said it would.
15. Thanks for the delivery and here’s your
wait, there’s no pepperoni on this pizza!
____________________________________