Grammar and Usage The difference between the right word and the nearly right word is the same as tha

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Grammar and UsageThe difference between the
right word and the nearly right word is the same
as that between lightning and the lightning
bug.- Samuel Longhorn Clemens, Former Reporter
for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise
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4 Coaching Tips

• When in doubt, check it out.
• Dont depend on computer spellers and grammar
  checkers.
• Dont turn in copy without checking it for
  grammar, spelling and style.
• Keep a dictionary and the AP Stylebook on your
  desk as you write.

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Affect versus Effect

• Affect is an active verb.
• Effect is a noun.
• Failing your style tests will affect your grade.
  But the effect on your writing will be far more
  serious.

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A lot

• Two words.

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Can and May

• Can you are capable of doing something.
• May means permission or the chance to do
  something.
• You may get a promotion if you can create Web
  pages.

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Quotes

• When a sentence includes a direct quote, the
  comma always goes inside the quotation marks,
  the professor said. So does the period.

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Comma Splices

• Never join two sentences with a comma.
• Learn to love the period.
• If the sentences are closely related, you might
  use a semicolon.
• People who use commas to join sentences are
  making a dreadful mistake comma splices indicate
  bad writing.

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Criteria versus Criterion

• Criteria many factors.
• Criterion one factor.
• The criteria to get an A in this class are good
  writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation. The
  criterion for expulsion from the college is
  plagiarism.

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Dangling Modifier

• A phrase or participle (an adjective made from a
  verb ending in ing) is said to dangle if it is
  not placed directly before the noun or pronoun it
  modifies.
• Dangling After studying for three hours, the
  test was cancelled.
• After studying for three hours, the student
  learned that the test was cancelled.

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Feel

• A state of being or sense of touch.
• Dont use it to mean think or believe.
• You will feel bad if you dont get an A on the
  quizzes at the end of the chapter.
• You think or believe you are doing well in the
  course.

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Its and It

• Its it is.
• Its possessive.
• Its going to cost more to attend college next
  year because the university raised its tuition.

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I and Me

• I does the action.
• Me receives it.
• I, he, she, we subjects.
• Me, her, him, us, them objects.
• Whenever the newspaper needs someone to work
  overtime, Julie and I always get picked.
• The president gave the report to several
  journalism students and me to review before he
  made a decision.

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Compound Modifiers

• Two or more adjectives used to modify a noun that
  follows them (except for ly and very)
• 3-year-old child
• honor-roll student
• part-time job
• poorly finished apartment
• very strong wind

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Passive versus Active Voice

• Passive something has happened to you or the
  subject.
• Scholarships were received by three students.
• Active You or subject is doing the action.
• Three students received scholarships.
• Exception The serial killer was sentenced to
  death by the judge.

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Their, There, and Theyre

• Their belonging to them.
• There where.
• Theyre They are.

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Who and Whom

• Who is the subject.
• Whom is the object.
• See page 116.

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• Sections
• Stylebook
• Sports Guidelines and Style
• Business Guidelines and Style
• A Guide to Punctuation
• Briefing on Media Law
• Photo Captions
• Graphics
• Filing the Wire
• Filing Practices
• Editing Marks
• About the AP

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