Nov 2007
The Indefinite "It" and "There"
November 08, 2007 | Tutor
Tips | Permalink
Generally lost? Here are some general
tips for any writing occasion.
The Indefinite "IT"
Go back and look at every "it" you used in your paper. Is there a specific
noun that the "it" refers to? If not, try to rewrite that sentence without
using an "it" that doesn't leave the reader confused.
Example: Colorful construction paper can be used to create fun Halloween
decorations for your dorm room. IT is easy to make a pumpkin using green
and orange paper.
--"IT is easy..." What is easy? What is IT? A quick fix for the indefinite
IT problem is to insert a subject: "Your kids can easily make a
pumpkin..."
THERE+
Try not to use the phrases THERE IS, THERE ARE, THERE WAS and THERE WERE.
These phrases are not specific and usually can be reworded to be more
active and to the point.
Example: There was a man waving his arms in the street.
Better sentence: A man was waving his arms in the street.
posted by: Stacey
The Indefinite "IT"
Go back and look at every "it" you used in your paper. Is there a specific
noun that the "it" refers to? If not, try to rewrite that sentence without
using an "it" that doesn't leave the reader confused.
Example: Colorful construction paper can be used to create fun Halloween
decorations for your dorm room. IT is easy to make a pumpkin using green
and orange paper.
--"IT is easy..." What is easy? What is IT? A quick fix for the indefinite
IT problem is to insert a subject: "Your kids can easily make a
pumpkin..."
THERE+
Try not to use the phrases THERE IS, THERE ARE, THERE WAS and THERE WERE.
These phrases are not specific and usually can be reworded to be more
active and to the point.
Example: There was a man waving his arms in the street.
Better sentence: A man was waving his arms in the street.
posted by: Stacey
Give it a Read Out Loud
November 08, 2007 | Tutor
Tips | Permalink
Are you often victim to typos or
awkward phrasing? It really helps to read your paper out loud. Just
find a quiet place (perhaps a study room in the library) and start
reading. You'll usually catch run-on sentences, misplaced commas,
and even awkward phrasing!
Another remedy for quick grammatical fixes is to have a friend read your paper. If there's a phrase they don't understand or can't make sense of, chances are your professors won't understand it either.
posted by: Heather
Another remedy for quick grammatical fixes is to have a friend read your paper. If there's a phrase they don't understand or can't make sense of, chances are your professors won't understand it either.
posted by: Heather
