Its vs. It’s: How to use them correctly

Many people confuse its and it’s. The distinction is actually very simple.

"Its" is used to show possession of an object.
Example: The dog chased its tail. (This shows that dog owns his or her tail).

It’s is a contraction combining the words “it” and “is.”
Example: It’s a nice day today. (We can see how this could be changed to "It is a
nice day today").

If you’re still a little unclear on which form to use, see if your sentence makes
sense using “it is.” In the first example, the sentence “The dog chased it is tail?
does not make sense, so we know to use “its” to show possession. If the sentence does make sense with “it is,” then use the contraction “it’s.”



posted by: Angela

Conjunction Junction, What’s Your (Other) Function?

…Hookin’ up words, and phrases and clauses…and sentences. Now that I’ve gotten that song stuck in your head, (my apologies), here’s a fact about those conjunctions, such as and, but, or, that you may not have known: they are just as important for connecting sentences as well. Now, you might be thinking, “Hey, wait, you’re not supposed to start sentences with ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘or’!” However, according to Patricia T. O’Conner, author of the writing guide Words Fail Me, those teachers who told you never to begin a sentence with “and” were incorrect. “Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, and sentences,” she writes, “Look it up.” (This is not to say that you should go crazy and use ‘and’ to start your sentences every chance you get. Just don’t think you have to count out those conjunctions when you begin a sentence.)

Thus, along with the other transition words, conjunctions can be used to show the relationship between sentences, add one idea to another, clarify a previous idea, or show your reader why two sentences should follow each other. Once you properly connect your ideas (and sentences) together, your paper will flow better as a whole.

Finally, if you’re hitting a wall because you think you’ve used every transition word imaginable in that 10-page research paper, here’s a list of some transition words (of course, all the conjunctions are here as well).

Therefore
In the meantime
Yet
However
At any rate
Thus
Nevertheless
In other words
On the other hand
That is
Furthermore
For this reason
Besides
Truly
And
Moreover
But
Also
Or
Consequently
So
In addition
Then
For instance

*based on a passage from Words Fail Me, written by Patricia T. O’Conner (1999).



posted by: Melissa

Reading Aloud is OK

While many people think it’s crazy to read something aloud, one thing we tutors like to have students do when they come to the Writing Center is read their paper aloud because, as we have found out, reading aloud to oneself can actually make the reader catch mistakes he/she normally wouldn’t have with only a quick silent read. So, before you call it quits or immediately come to the Writing Center (where we are always willing to help and share our English skills in writing, formulating ideas, etc.), read your paper(s) aloud or have another pair of eyes look at your paper. A piece of friendly advice, though, have some courtesy and read out loud somewhere remote or kindly ask your roommate to leave the room for a couple minutes.



posted by: Debbie

When you are printing your articles off for research in the Library and you are using their search engines such as Academic Search Premier, you are able to print the article as well as the citation for the article in the format that you need for your paper! Ask the Research Librarians for help!

Check our website for more helpful hints!
As always you can e-mail or call us with your questions!

Go to: http://www.elmhurst.edu/~write or call 630-617-5689



posted by: Jessica

Just a friendly reminder about sources!

Keep in mind that you will ALWAYS need sources to back up each individual claim that you make. This is something that we often forget to include. Take for instance the claim that “Macbeth does not kill out of vengeance, but in order to acquire more power” needs to be backed up with information from credible sources such as JSTOR, a literary criticism of Macbeth, or the text of Macbeth itself. This will not only solidify your assertions, but will also establish your own credibility.



posted by: Steffani

Common Errors in Word Usage

There are several easily avoidable errors that are very common in the English language. Many of these errors are made accidentally, due to a writer rushing through a paper. Just in case some of them aren't exactly clear, here's some of the more common areas and tips on how to avoid them.

a/an: If the word following begins with a vowel sound, the word you want is "an": "Have an apple, Adam."

your/you're: "You're" is always a contraction of "you are." If you've written "you're," try substituting "you are." If it doesn't work, the word you want is "your."

irregardless: Regardless of what you have heard, "irregardless" is a redundancy. The suffix "-less" on the end of the word already makes the word negative. It doesn't need the negative prefix "ir-" added to make it even more negative.

farther/further: Some authorities insist on "farther" to refer to physical distance and on "further" to refer to an extent of time or degree, but others treat the two words as interchangeable except for insisting on "further" for "in addition," and "moreover." You'll always be safe in making the distinction.

accept/except: If you offer me Godiva chocolates I will gladly accept them—except for the candied violet ones. Just remember that the "X" in "except" excludes things—they tend to stand out, be different.

all ready/already: "All ready" is a phrase meaning "completely prepared," as in "As soon as I put my coat on, I'll be all ready." "Already," however, is an adverb used to describe something that has happened before a certain time, as in "What do you mean you'd rather stay home? I've already got my coat on."

There are several great web resources to help you sort through common usage errors, including Washington State University's "Common Errors" page.

The tutors in the Writing Center are also always a great resource!



posted by: Aleks

Stress Management for the over-worked, under-paid and highly-involved college student.

Managing the stress sometimes feels more exhausting than the stress itself.
I do not claim to be an expert or authority of any kind on stress management, but I do have a few tips that I have found work pretty well for me (most of the time). Since I fully recognize that I am not the only one out there with a schedule that is super-crazy, I thought I would share a few of the things I have learned over the years.

1. Try not to have complaining competitions with peers or teachers. We’re all busy and trying to make yourself sound busier than someone else, will only stress you out more and it will do nothing for the relationship with the person you’re competing with. If you must complain – do it in a blog, e-mail or on a piece of paper that you can throw away or delete. That way you get it all out, but don’t upset anyone else in the process.

2. Prioritize! I am constantly reminding myself that not everything will get done when I really wanted for it to. It will all get done, I know it will; somehow it always works out that way. But we have to be patient with ourselves, get things done well the first time around and put off other things that really can wait.

3. Take time to relax. After accomplishing a major task or goal for the day, sit down and watch a favorite TV show for an hour, go to the gym, call your best friend, take a nap … anything that would be considered “me time.” This helps keep anxiety down and makes it much easier to start the next task.

I’m willing to bet there are other good suggestions out there, but when it comes to having what feels like a bazillion papers to write on top of day-to-day tasks, these are three things that seem to help me.



posted by: Susan

When you set out to write a paper, I doubt many of you think, “I am going to see if I can get away with copying directly from sources and stealing other people’s ideas!” In fact, most plagiarism is done without intent.
So what can you do to make sure you can avoid the possibility of plagiarizing?

• First, if you haven’t completed your Works Cited page, and don’t know how to correctly document a parenthetical citation, at least put the name of the book or article in parentheses and the page number after places in your paper where you have taken other people’s ideas. You can always go back and format the citation correctly, but at least you will remember where you got your information from!

• It sometimes helps to highlight certain phrases in an article that you want to directly quote in your paper. That way, when you think of incorporating it in your paper, you can find it easily and the source from which it came.

• Do not think that because you find synonyms for words in a sentence that the sentence becomes your own. For example, saying that “the blissful winter snow falls gracefully to the ground” is the same as “the heavenly winter snow descends elegantly to the ground.”

• No matter how desperate you are, never take the work of someone else and try to pass it off as your own! That includes works written by you previously for another class or purpose.



posted by: Steffani

An Important Reminder:

If you’re having trouble with grammar and you think your paper doesn’t make sense, read it aloud to yourself before you give it to someone else to read. Reading it aloud will give you the chance to hear the paper in a different perspective, and you may be able to catch some grammar mistakes on your own. It is still a good idea to have someone else read your paper because what may make sense to you, may be confusing for someone else that reads your paper. Always be sure your paper makes sense before hading in your final copy.



posted by: Angela

Citing Sources in a paper

Many tutees have come to me for help having questions regarding MLA or APA format. Since I couldn’t find an actual handout sheet for them, and since they can’t take away our books, I have been referring them to the Duke University Libraries. It can be found at http://library.duke.edu/research/citing. I was shown this site in my English 106 class my freshman year. It has some great tips on citing sources within your paper and how to do a Works Cited at the end of your paper. Hope this helps when you come into a jam on how to cite something. If not, you can always come into the Writing Center.



posted by: Debbie

Takes these steps in your prewriting stage.

1.) The first step is to sit yourself down at your computer and start typing whatever thoughts enter your head about your topic. You will be surprised on how this can help the wheels in your head to start turning!
2.) Don’t be afraid to use the writing web or some way to organize your ideas while you are brainstorming
3.) Ask yourself what you want your reader to gain from your paper. What is it that you want to prove or argue for or against?
4.) Jot down any ideas you have for a thesis or main points.
5.) From there, try to make a rough outline of your paper. (The outline need not be in full sentences.)




posted by: Steffani

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

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

This is just a quick down-and-dirty reminder about when to use an apostrophe. One way an apostrophe is used is to form a contraction. It’s when two words are combined to form one word such as the word “it is” to form “it’s.”
“It’s my book,” means “It is my book.”

Do not use an apostrophe when showing possession of something.
“Water is a liquid. Its components are hydrogen and two oxygen molecules.”

An easy way to check if an apostrophe should be used is to break up the “its” or “it’s” and read it as “it is.” See which one sounds like the correct usage.

The same rules apply when using “you’re” and “your.”
“Your grandmother is pretty.” You would not say, “You are grandmother is pretty.”
“You’re pretty,” translates to “You are pretty.”

Hope this helps you out in the future.




posted by: Debbie

Have an assignment and you just don't know where to start? Feel like you
don't know what the professor is talking about? Finding the idea of
writing a thesis too scary? Well, the writing center is here to help.
Here are some great tips to help you get that paper started.
1- Take a few minutes to organize. Get out the assignment, find your notes
from class, and get out any other materials you might need.
2- Break it up. Try to break the assignment into smaller, more manageable
chunks.
3- Free your thoughts. Take a few minutes to write out free-form what you
think of the assignment. What is it about? What do you already know about
that topic? What questions do you have?
4- Gather information. Most assignments will have you writing about a
topic, which in general you will need basic information on. Go through
your notes and highlight things that might be useful or mark pages in your
book. This will be very helpful as you write your paper.
5- Draft it. Do your best to write out a draft. This doesn't have to be
perfect. The idea of writing a draft is that you have a place to start and
something to build upon. Just start writing, because you can always
improve it later.
6- Keep trying. Don't give up. It is not uncommon for a well written paper
to take multiple drafts. Do your best, re-read your work, and keep trying.
7- Ask for help. If you are still unsure, you can always stop by the
Writing Center for more help!
Good Luck!




posted by: Sabrina

Somehow we have moved into the sixth week of classes already and the
papers are being assigned faster than ever. We have had record numbers of
writers in need of help come in to see us at the Writing Center this
semester. We are so glad to help! Here are some pointers to make the most
of your session with a Writing Center tutor:
1. Have a copy of the assignment or know exactly what your professor is
asking you to do so the tutor can help you fit that.

2. Whatever stage of the paper you're on, read through it yourself so you
can catch the typos that you know aren't supposed to be there.

3. Come with specific places in the paper or specific things you want the
tutor to help you with.

4. Remember that we are extremely busy, so if you have a lots of things
you need help with, make several appointments over a few days so other
students can get the help they need too!

Thanks everyone. Keep coming in to see us!



posted by: Stacey

If you are like me, you may often fall into the trap of writing in the passive voice. It’s an easy trap to fall into! You may write what may seem like a perfectly coherent sentence, but look a little closer next time to see if you really are being as clear as you possibly can.

For example, you may say, “Studies have shown that breast cancer is more prevalent among females.” While you may be providing an interesting point, the person or people who have done studies are not mentioned. Also, what are the statistics? Including these two elements will not only enhance the clarity of your paper, but allow you to establish credibility as a writer.

So, how do you know that you are writing in the passive voice? Look for clues such as “has been,” “was,” or “will have” followed by past tense verbs. It sounds better to say, “Bobby opened the door” than “The door was opened by Bobby.”

For more tips, visit Purdue's OWL.



posted by: Steffani

Do you ever find yourself stuck not knowing exactly how you want to start that paper or that story due a week from today? Are you afraid that the
ideas, so well crafted in your head, will lose all their power as you put them down on paper? YES! We have all been there; a blank piece of paper is one of the scariest things a writer can face because you are creating the reality on the paper with nothing to precede it. Well, here is a tip a lot of people forget about, JUST WRITE! It sounds simple, but so many of us wish for the first sentences we type to be meaningful, well constructed and perfect that we forget that the biggest thing we should be worried about when writing a fist draft is just getting the ideas down. Talk to your page, let your hands express your thoughts and ideas without looking back; don't revise yet, there'll be plenty of time for that, for now JUST WRITE! Of course you ALWAYS want to go back and revise; do not turn that crappy first draft in or you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise! At least now you have something to work with, and remember you can always embellish and fix problems if the ideas are already there!


posted by: Sofia

Do you feel as though your papers sound choppy? You may be in need of some transitions. Transitions are great, because they guide your reader from thought to thought within your paper. Relying on the same old transitions like next, first, second, third, and in conclusion can be very boring. Try spicing up your next composition with some real zingers such as moreover, likewise, or subsequently. Remember, your paper should not read like a grocery list of thoughts; guide your reader through your argument using strategically placed transitions!

For examples of transitions, and when to use them, please visit the following sites:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Transitions.html

http://www.ssdd.uce.ac.uk/learner/writing/transex.htm


posted by: Katie

It's the start of a new semester and maybe after relaxing the entire month of January, your ideas are coming a little slowly. What about that first paper you’ve been assigned? Coming up short on ideas or a plan of attack? Don’t panic. There is a way to get started that will make your job a little easier: Brainstorming. Brainstorming is when you sit down and just write down every idea that pops into your head. Don’t think, just write. Your notes don’t even have to be complete sentences or have proper grammar-just get your ideas out. Brainstorming works well for deciding on a topic, but it can also be an effective way of gathering ideas for the bulk of your paper.

For instance, if you are writing a paper about The Scarlet Letter in your lit class, and you want to analyze all the instances of symbolism, you can brainstorm every symbol that you remember from the book. You will be surprised by how many things that come to you if you take a moment to think before you begin writing.

So before you begin that paper, take a moment to write down some notes. You will thank yourself in the long run-the actual writing of the paper may move a little more quickly than normal.


posted by: Stacey

Fellow Writers:

Often times it is best to write about subjects important to the writer. This could include anything from beloved literature to contentious issues in current society. This can truly solve the problem of being at a loss for words, since something so passionate to the writer can facilitate much thought; however, this is not without problems. Often times support to these claims are omitted, since the writers can rationalize their arguments in their heads.

In a clear, position paper, readers validate the writer’s argument not because of the writer’s own personal opinions but because of sufficient outside support. Claims are easy enough to make; however, to really make an argument legitimate there has to be evidence for the claims.

For example, in a literary analysis, one could make the claim, “In his novels, Mark Twain is critical of racist behavior and attitudes.” In this case, the sentence is a fine statement to make; however, it must be substantiated by providing sufficient evidence from the text or outside literary criticism.

Readers cannot just trust the writer’s authority without any detail to strengthen the argument. The writer’s opinion means nothing, unless there is clear reasoning that strengthens the argument.

Also, writers need not be afraid of presenting opposing viewpoints, as long as the writers can disclaim the opposing arguments, indicating their holes or faulty reasoning.

For further understanding of this reasoning, refer to the Toulmin Model of Logic. This model shows how warrants, or assumptions, connect claims to the data, or evidence.

Happy Writing!!

posted by: Melina

Befuddled writers:

Sometimes it can be very difficult to decide whether to use the word
"which" or "that," even for the best of us. The following information and
links will help you to learn how, when, where, and why we use the words
"which" and "that."

The words "which" and "that" are relative pronouns. They are both used to
introduce relative clauses. There are two types of relative clauses:
restrictive clauses and non-restrictive clauses.

The word "which" should only be used in a non-restrictive clause.
Non-restrictive clauses add information that is not integral to the
meaning of the sentence.
HINT: Non-restrictive clauses are always set off by commas, dashes, or
parentheses.

The word "that" is only to be used in restrictive clauses. Restrictive
clauses are integral to the meaning of the sentence.
HINT: Restrictive clauses are NOT set off by commas, dashes or parentheses.

For more information on the proper usage of "which" and "that" please
visit the following links:

http://www.haverford.edu/classics/courses/omni/which&that.pdf

http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/103103.htm

http://www.kentlaw.edu/academics/lrw/grinker/LwtaThat_Versus_Which.htm

posted by: Katie K.

Punctuation is one of the most expressive parts of the English language system. The difference between an exclamation point and a period is great, possibly altering the meaning of the whole sentence.

According to Lynne Truss, author of the acclaimed Eats, Shoots and Leaves, one must be aware of the power and importance of punctuation. Truss notes of “the French 19th-century novelist Victor Hugo, who – when he wanted to know how Les Miserables was selling – reportedly telegraphed his publisher with the simple inquiry ‘?’ and received the expressive reply ‘!,’” which was truly self-explanatory.

Punctuation is powerful, and when used correctly, it can speak volumes!

Happy writing!!

posted by: Melina P.

Ahhh - the comma.

The comma is your buddy, your guide, your composition BFF (best friend forever). But beware. This tricky little bugger can lead you astray. Take the following sentence for example:
"Brad said Kyle is a huge fool."

But when you place the camouflaged comma where it needs to be you get this:
"Brad, said Kyle, is a huge fool."

Now that's better!

Stay tuned into the blog for more tips about comma usage, because it is quickly becoming my personal composition crusade!

posted by Kyle J.

Dear writers everywhere,

It's time to discuss that long-forgotten thorn, the tense. Since the beginning of writing instruction, every student has been beaten over the head with standard rules of punctuation. Commas, semicolons, periods--even when we mess them up, the guidelines are there to help.

But who ever said anything about tense shifts?!

You know those little buggers. The past and present. The difference
between "go" and "went." The problem is that, all too often, the only
advice we receive is:
ALWAYS stick to past tense.

At the college level, it's important to know that the past tense isn't
always the best. When describing the immediacy of an event, there's no
substitute for present tense--for an example, read the following
passages to see which is a more absorbing description:

Present Tense

"Before I can stop him, he pins me up against the brick wall at
knife-point and violently tugs at my blouse--but the sirens catch him
off-guard and I manage to kick the knife deep into his belly, then grab
and twist the knife as I pull it from his gut and I watch helplessly as
my hand--now completely out of my control--cuts the blade deep inside
of him until his spastic feet no longer jerk."

vs. Past Tense

"Before I stopped him, he pinned me up against the brick wall at
knife-point and violently tugged at my blouse--but the sirens caught
him off-guard and I kicked the knife deep into his belly, and then I
grabbed and twisted the knife while pulling it from his gut and watched
helplessly as my hand--then completely out of my control--cut the blade
deep inside of him until his spastic feet stopped jerking."

The difference is there. Since we often aren't taught to switch tenses,
however, they tend to occur without intent. Tense uses come down to preference, but the most important guideline is to PAY ATTENTION: when the writer switches back and forth with little notice, it is very difficult for the reader to follow.

For futher discussion on the topic of tenses, stop by the Writing
Center and discuss with the tutor on duty.

posted by Kevin P.

We’ve all had paper assignments, which we grudgingly complete. These particular assignments may be more difficult to start or finish, since care or energy may be lacking; however, many assignments leave room to personalize one’s argument, without showing a bias or losing credibility.

Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird, truly empathizes with those who are having writing difficulties. In Bird, Lamott argues that “you need to put yourself at their [papers’] center, you and what you believe to be true or right.” She says, “The core, ethical concepts in which you most passionately believe are the language in which you are writing.” This moral position is “not a message” but a “passionate caring inside you,” according to Lamott, which can then merit the audience’s attention.

We may too often write for the grade or just to get by, which may leave us discouraged and dreading completing the task. Though we are often called to write papers that leave little room for creativity, there are those exceptions that allow us to find our voice and write for ourselves and our audience. Writing from cares inside can truly enable one to enjoy one’s work and reap the most benefits.

Finding that voice may be difficult, but when it is found, writing becomes a welcomed challenge.

Happy writing!!


posted by Melina P.

Lists of rules and restrictions for grammar seem to be endless. How in
the world can one be expected to know every single rule?! It is even harder
for us folk who have had only a single grammar course in our many years of
education.

Take a breath…it will be okay!

Even though it is impossible to remember the thousands of rules that are
combined to write pages upon pages to create grammar textbooks, you can
still achieve grammar proficiency in your writing.

A List for Grammar Success:

1- Relax.
Learning to recognize common grammar mistakes takes time. But
as Mad Eye Moody once said, “you must be vigilant!” Always keep in mind
that one of your goals for writing is to be grammatically correct.

2- Have a grammar guide.
If you’re unable to remember all those rules,
you’ll need some kind of reference to figure them out when you become
stuck. I suggest staying away from boring definitions in handbooks –
personally, the make me shiver with fear. Go out and grab a reference
guide that is fun to read. I suggest the following:
Words Fail Me, Patricia T. O’Conner
Woe is I, Patricia T. O’Conner
Torn Wings and Faux Pas, Karen Elizabeth Gordon
The Transitive Vampire, Karen Elizabeth Gordon

posted by Kyle J.