Grammar, Editing, and MLA: Quick Reference Notes

Top Ten Editing Errors

• Comma splice: Two independent clauses joined with a comma.
• Fragment: A dependent clause or a phrase punctuated as if it were an independent clause; an incomplete sentence.
• Run-on sentence: Two independent clauses joined with no punctuation.
• Verb form or verb tense error: A verb in the incorrect form or wrong tense.
• Missing comma: No comma after introductory element; no comma in a compound sentence; no comma after a non-restrictive element; no Oxford comma before the last item in a list.
• Wrong preposition: Incorrect preposition choice.
• Misplaced modifier: A modifier too far from the word it modifies.
• Unclear pronoun: Pronoun unclear about its antecedent.
• Apostrophe error: Using or omitting apostrophe incorrectly.
• Misspelled homonym/homophone: Sounds like the right word but wrong spelling/meaning.

Using a Checklist: Writers should create their own list of frequent errors and use it as a corrective checklist. The appendix also suggests online resources and the section on Revising/Editing for guidance.

Editing Checklist for Academic Essays

• Format: MLA format; appropriate headings and page numbering; margins; spacing (double); no extra line spaces; MLA-style header.
• In-text citations: Parenthetical citations (Lastname 13).
• Works Cited: Included when appropriate, with full information.
• Mechanics: Spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax.
• Proofreading steps: Spell-check, check homonyms, look up difficult words, read aloud, ensure complete sentences, consistent verb tense, present-tense usage for discussions of texts, check for run-ons and comma splices, and read for flow.

Log of Your Mistakes (Editing Log)

• Idea: Create four columns: Error, Name of Error, Explanation, Correction Example.
• Use: When you find a mistake, record the problematic text, identify the error type, note a solution (definition or reference), and write the correction.
• Example entry:
  • Error Example: “Honesty is it’s own reward.”
  • Name of Error: Apostrophe error
  • Explanation: “It’s” = “it is”; possessive is “its.”
  • Correction: “Honesty is its own reward.”

Tips for Writing Complete Sentences

• Independent Clause: A unit with a subject and a verb that can stand as a sentence. Can be tested by asking if it forms a complete sentence by itself.
• Dependent Clause: A clause with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone; must be joined to an independent clause.
• Phrase: A group of words forming meaning without a subject and verb; cannot stand alone as a sentence.
• Subject: The noun or pronoun that works with the verb to form the core meaning; tests for nouns include frame sentences, pluralization, possessives, and article placement.
• Verb: Indicates action, existence, or occurrence; can change form to show tense; can be negated or commanded; test by frame sentences and subject-verb agreement.
• Punctuation: Practice combining clauses with proper punctuation; learn common joiners (e.g., independent clauses, dependent clauses, and phrases).

How to Join Clauses (Punctuation Guide)

• Comma + FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so): “A, B.”
• Semicolon: “A; B.”
• Semicolon with adverbial conjunction: “A; however, B.”
• Colon (rare): “A: B.”
• Subordinating conjunction: “Although A, B.”
• Choice impacts emphasis and meaning; choose carefully.

Comma Usage Quick Guide

• Listing comma: separates items in a list; Oxford comma (before the final item) is standard in academic writing; optional in informal writing.
• Compound sentence comma: only when two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (check that both sides are independent).
• Introductory comma: after an introductory word/phrase/clause; optional if element is very short.
• Interrupting comma: commas set off nonessential interruptions.
• Restrictive element (essential): no comma; non-essential element (non-restrictive): commas.
• Think of comma handles: you can lift nonessential elements in and out.

Best Grammar Resources

• Grammar Girl: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl
• Purdue OWL: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
• Grammarly: www.grammarly.com
• Grammar Monster: http://grammar-monster.com
• The New Yorker’s Comma Queen: http://video.newyorker.com/series/comma-queen

MLA: Overview and Purpose

• MLA stands for Modern Language Association.
• Humanities: language, literature, history, art, music, religion, foreign languages, philosophy.
• Empiric disciplines: sciences, math, teaching, psychology, etc.
• MLA style provides formatting rules and source-handling practices to avoid plagiarism and aid readers in locating sources.
• The 8th edition (2016) introduced universal guidelines for all sources; aims to be adaptable across fields.
• You’ll use MLA to format documents and manage sources; it helps with consistent presentation and credit to original authors.

MLA Formatting Essentials

• Margins: Set side margins to $1''$ on left, right, top, and bottom.
• Header/Footer margins: $0.5''$ (for header/footer).
• Font: Use a standard font, typically $12 ext{-point}$.
• Spacing: Double-space throughout.
• Alignment: Straight left edge, ragged right edge.
• Paragraphs: Indent $frac{1}{2}$ inch.
• Title: Center the document title on page 1 in plain $12 ext{-point}$ font; do not bold/italicize.
• Heading (page 1): Upper-left includes your name, instructor, class, and date in MLA format (e.g., $11 ext{ February }2016$).
• Running header: Upper-right header with your last name and an automatic page number.
• Date format: In MLA, use $ext{day month year}$ (e.g., $11 February 2016$); no commas. This avoids US-style date ambiguities.
• See MLA sample papers at mla.org for examples.

Four-Step Process for Working with Sources

1. Create a Works Cited page and add each source with a complete, correct entry.
2. Use sources correctly: quote, paraphrase, or summarize.
3. In-text citations: cite every source where it appears; ensure in-text citations match Works Cited entries.
4. Proofread your work with sources to ensure accuracy and consistency.

MLA Formatting in Practice

• Resources to help: Purdue OWL (MLA and more), MLA Style Center, MLA Practice Template.
• Use these tools to practice formatting and citation styles, and to verify proper alignment between in-text citations and Works Cited.