To Remember

Common Pitfalls with Topic Sentences

1.  INCOMPLETE:

     Studying economics at the University of California.

     The problem with this sentence is that it is a gramatically incomplete phrase, not a sentence.  Who is studying econonmics?  There is no subject.  To make is a complete sentence, indicate the subject.  Example:   Terrence Hopkins was studying economics at the University of California.

2.  ANNOUNCEMENT:

     My topic is about the current economic recession.

     Never announce what your topic is.  A better sentence might be:  The current economic recession is the result of various factors that have been building for many years prior to 2008.

3.  VAGUE:

     People can be judgmental.

     Judgemental about what?  Be specific.  Example:  People can be judgmental about the physical appearance of others, especially about weight and youthful beauty.

4.  INVALID POINT:

     Life is less stressful today than in previous centuries.

     This is not necessarily true.  There are many indications today that in modern society, stress is an ever-growing problem leading to many physical and mental health issues.  It also depends on what country or region one is talking about, as well as quality of life issues such as income and living conditions.  A better sentence might be:  For many people in low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles, stress is a part of everyday life.

5.  TOO BROAD.

     Food is delicious.

     All food is delicious?  That depends.  Be more specific.  A better sentence might be:  Traditional Vietnamese food can be quite delicious if prepared carefully with the right ingredients.

6.  TOO NARROW:

     My brother was born on January 2, 2012.

     Here, the sentence is a little too specific.  Where does the writer go from here? What more is there to elaborate on?  A better sentence might be:  My brother, who was eventually diagnosed with autism, has taught me many lessons about human interaction.

7.  TOO OBVIOUS:

     Hunger is not something anyone should experience.

     Everyone knows this already.  The writer is making a point that is already understood by any reader.  A better sentence might be:  Hunger around the world today is inexcusable in light of the fact that we now have excellent distribution methods and are able to produce food far greater than is actually needed.

Cheat Sheet: Most Common Spelling Mistakes

The Least You Should Know

THAN v. THEN

THAN:  This is used to show comparison.  Something is more/less than another -- better, stronger, bigger, lesser, weaker, etc.  Example:
She is taller than that tree.
I like ice cream more than cake.
We are able to chop down more trees than the other team.
She is less able to complete the tasks than her sister.

THEN:  This is used to show consequence and sequence of events.  Example:
We picked up our groceries at the supermarket, then we went home.
He saw the opportunity, made his mind up, then took action.
I used to like violent films, but then my brother was shot during a robbery and now I don't watch them as much anymore.

They're, There, and Their

THEY'RE:  This is a contraction of "they" and "are."  Example:
Are you looking for the pencils?  They're in the box on the top shelf.

THERE:  This is an adverb that basically means in or at a certain place or moment.  Here are some examples of its use ...
She is there now.
He stopped there (at a certain point in his speech) when the audience began applauding.
My anger was justified there (when I saw someone being inconsiderate at the supermarket).
New York City?  We went there last week.

THEIR:  possessive pronoun.  Examples:
The people have a right to defend their freedom.
Everybody in the room became upset when their money was stolen.
We don't have to listen to them; their opinions don't matter.

MLA Style: The Cheat Sheet

MLA

In your paper, whenever you quote or paraphrase another source, you must always indicate:

1.                  The AUTHOR

2.                  The PAGE NUMBER from where the quote or information was taken

Examples of quoting another source:

Smith explains, “The hierarchy of beauty as a mirror to the hierarchy of status in the first half of the novel may seem nonsensical to the modern reader, although perhaps it shouldn’t” (74).  This is an example of a SIGNAL PHRASE because in the sentence the author is listed.

It is noted that “hierarchy of beauty as a mirror to the hierarchy of status in the first half of the novel may seem nonsensical to the modern reader” (Smith 74).  This is an example of where the author and page number are indicated at the end in parentheses.

– NOTICE THAT IN BOTH INSTANCES THE PERIOD COMES AFTER THE PAGE NUMBER PARENTHETICAL.

Example of paraphrasing another source (not quoting):

Beauty often mirrors hierarchy of status in the novel (Wright 74). 

-- AGAIN, NOTICE THAT THE PERIOD COMES AFTER THE PAGE NUMBER PARENTHETICAL.

If it is a long quotation, you need to set off quote by indenting (block quotes).  Example:

            Lookism, George Wright argues, has not gone away:

The assumed correlation between inner and outer beauty is consistently evident in children’s Disney animation, televised Miss America Pageants, and big budget Hollywood films. One could argue that these modern-day examples are vestiges of a bygone fairytale era closer to Aphra Behn’s literary world. In any event, the narrator establishes to the readers that certain foreign people … are special examples of their race and this specialness is most evident in their very appearance.  (3-4)

NOTICE that with indented block quotes (long quotations), the period comes before the page number in parentheses.  This is different from the other examples.

You must also have a Works Cited page where you list your sources.  See links below for explanations of setting one up.

http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocMLA.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/

http://www.easybib.com/