As I read through rough
drafts, I noticed a number of errors in common in student
writing. Below is a summary of those I found most often in
rough drafts.
- Use
the pronoun who after a person and use that after an idea
or inanimate object.
Example 1: Students who are participating in my Applied Project ....
Example 2: The article that proved most helpful ....
- Capitalize
the A and P in Applied
Project.
Example: Upon completing my Applied
Project, I will
graduate from ASU West.
- Use
the word technology, not the colloquial form
tech.
Example: The technology coordinator in my school is responsible for ....
- Use
curriculum and curricula appropriately: curriculum is
singular, curricula is plural.
Example 1: The math curriculum at my school emphasizes ....
Example 2: In this project, I will integrate the science
and technology curricula.
- Avoid
colloquial phrases.
Example: The computer lab is not used a
whole lot.
Replace with: The computer lab is seldom used. OR Few students use the computer lab.
- Avoid
the use of you.
Example: You will find two
computer labs at Seaside High School.
Replace with: There
are two computer
labs at Seaside High School.
- Always
capitalize the words Internet and Web.
Example 1: In my Applied Project, students will use the Internet to .....
Example 2: I supported students in my class with Web-based resources ....
- Use
which and that
appropriately.
Example 1: The computer lab,
which is located on the first floor,
is staffed by
....
Example 2: The computer lab that is located on the first floor is staffed by ....
Note the use of commas in Example 1.
- Use
the same tense within a section or
paragraph.
Incorrect Example: Yesterday we went to the library and
the librarian is helpful.
Correct Example: Yesterday we went to the library and
the librarian was helpful.
- Italicize
software titles OR use the trademark
icon.
Incorrect Example: The students in my class are using
HyperStudio and iMovie.
Correct Example: The students in my class are using HyperStudio and iMovie.
Correct Example: The students in my class are using
HyperStudio™ and iMovie™.
- Use
the entire name of your
school.
Incorrect Example: Sunrise serves 850 middle school students.
Correct Example: Sunrise
Middle School serves 850 students.
- Use
one pronoun, not many, within a
paragraph.
Incorrect Example: We are concerned about teacher burnout. They work hard and have much stress and this causes teacher
burnout.
Correct Example: We are concerned about teacher burnout. We
know that teachers work hard and have much stress and this causes teacher
burnout.
- Do
not leave orphans (a single line of text) at the bottom
or top or any paper.
- Hyphenate
double adjectives that describe
something.
Incorrect Example: The general
use lab is reserved
for teachers doing special projects.
Correct Example: The general-use
lab is reserved for
teachers doing special projects.
Incorrect Example: A technology
rich classroom may
enhance learning.
Correct Example: A technology-rich classroom may enhance learning.
- When
quoting a researcher, use the correct
format:
Incorrect example: Christie (2002) states that "Using the Internet for research is an example of authentic learning," (p.4).
Correct example: Christie (2002) states that "[u]sing the Internet for research is an example of authentic learning"
(p.4).
- When
citing a number of different studies, provide the
citations is alphabetical order by the last name of the
first author:
Incorrect example: Student choice is a key factor in the
success of reflective portfolios
(Benson & Smith,1998; Graves,
1991, 1994; Adodeeb & Courtney, 1999; Kowalewski & Starns, 2000).
Correct example:Student choice is a key factor in the
success of reflective portfolios
(Adodeeb & Courtney, 1999; Benson & Smith,1998; Graves,
1991, 1994; Kowalewski & Starns, 2000).
- Do
a spell check AND a grammar check and proof read your
paper BEFORE turning it in to me!
I will
return all unproofed papers with NO feedback other than
the need for proof reading.
|
