Grammar Rule 25,364

Omit unnecessary words.

Incorrect example: Omit Words That May Be Considered Unnecessary to the Cause of the Sentence. I came across the web site junketstudies.com and learned about 11 rules of writing that are often broken. Their eleventh rule of writing posted is omit unnecessary words. This rule is very important. I break it often. I broke the rule at the beginning of this post to illustrate what a difference it makes in writing. There are times when we use too many words to describe and explain things. Very often in writing, less is more. As you write, do your best to not use unnecessary words.

Other Examples:

Incorrect -- Correct

I would like to assert that the author should be considered to be a buffoon.

The author is a buffoon.

It would be safe to say that Gregor Samsa is not the only character in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis to undergo drastic changes.

Gregor Samsa is not the only character in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis to undergo drastic change.

Before going to the supermarket, we made a list of the groceries we needed in order to make the food that we intended to eat for dinner.

Before going to the supermarket, we made a list of groceries that we needed to prepare dinner.

It's an Academic!!!

That's Right!

WARNING!!! ACADEMIA!

In the document "The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue", Tannen teaches us about some harmful effects that follow excessive criticism. Excessive criticism does not produce construction, it closes minds to valid knowledge and can destroy the process of critical thinking itself.
Tannen suggests that we move, not past criticism, but move on to accept good valid points established in writing. This will not eliminate criticism, and debate, but rather equalize the negative with posotive. Human feelings are important to consider when analyzing someone, or their work. Tannen's example that supports this is show and tell in elementary. A teacher used show and tell to help students learn about another students presentation, of a lava rock.
Because, Tannen does not entirely dismiss criticism and debate, he then applies the principle he was teaching. He shared thoughts about how criticism when accompanied with positive comments can help a writer more than one or the other.

Italics and Underlining

Italics and Underlining

Italics and underlineing distinguish certain words from others within the text. These methods of grammar mean "THE SAME THING?"! Yes, and it is inappropriate to switch from one style of writing to another. So don't use them in the same document.

Use italics and underling for the following:

Titles
-"The Office" is the best T.V. show on the planet!

Names of Vehicles
-Challenger

Foreign Words or phrases
-If a word or phrase has become so widely used and understood that it has become part of the English language — such as the French "bon voyage" or the abbreviation for the latin et cetera, "etc."

Words as Words
-The word basically is often unnecessary and should be removed. For Emphasis

Words as Reproduced Sounds
-Grrr! went the bear.


Special Thanks to
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/italics.htm

Against School? Yeah man! Yeah!

Against School
By John Taylor Gatto

In the story "Against School"Gatto is the communicator while the reader is the audience. Gatto dilivered his message about why our school system is unnecesary, even detremental. John Gatto used a lot of ethos rhetoric as well as logos and pathos in bringing to life and reality a topic mentioned very little in the educational environment. Gatto let readers understand that he has a lot of knowledge to offer because he has 30 years of experience. He also uses pathos in the form of boredom. Towards the end of his debate, with logos, he logically connects his thoughts.
The first example of retoric is seen in the first sentence. Gatto establishes the fact that he has spent thirty years as a teacher, in the best schools and the worst schools. He also speaks for all the other teachers he has come across in his career, not to mention the students. This is a false appeal to authority as well as inviting others to jump on the bandwagon.
Another logical falicy found in Gatto's writting is used through the rhetoric of pathos. The first emotion Gatto points at, is the lack of emotion. Boredom is used by Gatta to describe school. Because of examples he saw in the school systems, he hastily generalizes that every student and teacher suffered from the symptoms of boredom.
The last step for Gatto to complete the triangle of rhetoric was the use of logos. Even logos was applied through Gattos explanation for the true cause of school. His six functions about the true purpose of school may be true. They also may have been true. The question that begs to be asked is are they still true. Or is false analogy involved?
From reading Gattos story "Against school" there can be seen examples of how rhetoric is used and can be applied in good and bad. From reading "Against School" much is taught. There are questions answered and interests sparked.




I Just Wanna Be Average
Mike Rose
In the story "I Just Wanna Be Average" Rose is the communicator and his message relates to how to cope with our weaknesses as well as others. Logical fallacies can be seen throughout his story. Even in the title, the phrase "I just wanna be average" is an invitation to jump onto the bandwagon. The story increases Rose's invitations.
Rose describes teachers and his life using terms familiar to him and others in his situation, "He ran the dozens like a metric halfback,...". This style of writing invites others with that background to participate and become a part of his invitation (to agree with his message). This invitation can be seen as an invitation to jump on the bandwagon.

"I have a preposition for you."

A preposition is used to link nouns, phrases and pronouns to other words in a sentence. The word the preposition is introducing is that

prepositions object. When a preposition is used, it often indicates the relationship it's object has to the rest of the paragraph.
Example:
"What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you. " - Don Carleone

Here are the rules: (compliments of GrammarBook.com @ http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/probPrep.asp)

Rule 1. You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them.
Examples:
Correct: That is something I cannot agree with.
That is something with which I cannot agree.
Correct: How many of you can I count on?
Correct: Where did he go?
Incorrect: Where did he go to?

Rule 2. Use on with expressions that indicate the time of an occurrence.
Examples: He was born on December 23.
We will arrive on the fourth.

Rule 3. 0f should never be used in place of have.
Correct: I should have done it.
Incorrect: I should of done it.

Rule 4. Between refers to two. Among is used for three or more.
Examples: Divide the candy between the two of you.
Divide the candy among the three of you.

Rule 5.
The word like, when used to show comparison, is a preposition, meaning that it should be followed by an object of the preposition but not by a subject and verb. Use the connectors (also called conjunctions) as or as if when following a comparison with a subject and verb.
Examples: You look so much like your mother.
Mother is the object of the preposition like.
You look as if you are angry.
As if is connecting two pairs of subjects and verbs.

So there you have it.

"This is the business we chose."

An's 'n A's

The difference between a vs. an, is critical in sounding good. Have learned the rules for when to use an, and when to use a. I have never had a problem with it. To me the principle just makes sense, yet I a would like to be more familiar with the rules. I was glad when I had to look no further than my mom, (classic 'eh), who now teaches 4th and 5th grade.
The rule is rather simple. If a word starting with a vowel follows the article A then it is necessary to tag the letter N at the end. That is it! Simple, and easy to remember. So now there shall be no excuses for mistakes. Right?

My Idiot Nation

Michael Moore, effectively, uses others research to base his opinions. He has some very good incites about what the actual problems are, with our education system. He critically analyzed what has been done for the education system, and what really needs to be done. Overall Moore uses books, statistics and writes what his interpretations are. Because of his method of writing, he is very convincing. Moore appears to address his writing to eighty million, when in reality he addresses two-hundred (million).
Michael Moore writes and narrates through out the thinking process. He initiates thoughts about statistics or extreme events that prove a point he wants to make. He used statistics to illustrate his point about being surrounded by idiots. When talking about the intelligence of America, Moore shared statistics about literacy rates, and time spent reading books vs. watching television.
Another technique used by Moore is stereotyping. In one instance Moore, used several examples of ambassadors from different time frames, who knew little about the countries they would soon be working with. Moore then uses these experiences to passively criticize and invalidate opinions from those persons or parties.
After building his foundation, Moore continues by moving on to educational issues. Having won an audience, he addresses issues and introduces solutions. Because Moore has shown invalidation of another opinion, his opinions appear to be more correct. This is seen throughout "Idiot Nation". When talking about teachers, Moore chooses a quote given by Chester Finn about teachers. Moore shares his own contrasting thoughts, which become more revolutionary.
Through these techniques and others Moore appears to bring new, convincing, ideas and solutions. Moore even leads the thoughts of the reader through casual speach. By seeking to meet the reader in agreement, Moore keeps the reader guessing, however at times, the reader can guess too much.