by Stephen Wilbers
Author of 1,000 columns
published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune & elsewhere
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Here are some exercises I send to participants to give them an overview of the material we will cover in my writing workshops. Choose the correct word in the sentences below. 1. In my commitment to competent writing, I am no different from / different than other people. 2. I’m looking forward to discussing various components of writing (e.g., / i.e., central argument, organization, support, expression, and mechanics). 3. Let’s meet on the steps of the capital / capitol.
Eliminate the wordy expressions in the following sentences and edit as needed. 4. Due to the fact that I make too many errors in my writing, I’m eager to attend your workshop and learn what I can. 5. In order to improve your writing, you need to know both your strengths and weaknesses. 6. Both of these sentences illustrate wordy expressions that can be eliminated for a more concise and emphatic style.
Correct the errors in the following sentences. 7. Actually, I’m a pretty good writer, however, I’m aware that even good writers can improve. 8. I realize that the number of possible errors are nearly overwhelming. 9. Not to sound immodest, but in reality my writing skills are terrific, fantastic, and an important part of my success. 10. For example, I wrote an outstanding proposal which was accepted by our board and I edited a letter written by my boss.
1. In my commitment to competent writing, I am no different from / different than other people. “One thing differs from another. Different than is incorrect.”
2. I’m looking forward to discussing various components of writing (e.g., / i.e., central argument, organization, support, expression, and mechanics). Use e.g. (exempli gratia, which means “for example”) to illustrate your point; use i.e. (id est, which means “that is” or “in other words”) to restate or expand on your point. Many writers incorrectly use i.e. in both instances.
3. Let’s meet on the steps of the capital / capitol. Capital is the seat of government (i.e., Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota); capitol is the building – which usually has a dome that is round like an o, so spell it with an o.
4. Due to the fact that [Because] I make too many errors in my writing, I’m eager to attend your workshop and learn what I can.
5. In order [T]o improve your writing, you need to know both your strengths and weaknesses.
6. Both of these sentences illustrate wordy expressions that can be eliminated for a more concise and emphatic style.
7. Change Actually, I’m a pretty good writer[,] however, I’m aware that even good writers can improve. To Actually, I’m a pretty good writer[. H]owever, I’m aware that even good writers can improve. Or to Actually, I’m a pretty good writer[;] however, I’m aware that even good writers can improve. Comma splice Two complete sentences joined incorrectly with a comma rather than a period or a semicolon are called a “comma splice.” We’ll work on eliminating this common error in the workshop.
8. Change I realize that the number of possible errors are nearly overwhelming. To I realize that the number of possible errors is nearly overwhelming. Subject-verb agreement Subjects and verbs must agree in number. In the sentence above, “the number of” is singular.
9. Change Not to sound immodest, but in reality my writing skills are terrific, fantastic, and an important part of my success. To Not to sound immodest, but in reality my writing skills are terrific, fantastic, and important to my success. Or to Not to sound immodest, but in reality my writing skills are terrific and fantastic, and they are an important part of my success. Nonparallel structure Maintain the same grammatical structure when presenting items in a series or a vertical list.
10. Change For example, I wrote an outstanding proposal which was accepted by our board and I edited a letter written by my boss. To For example, I wrote an outstanding proposal[,] which was accepted by our board[,] and I edited a letter written by my boss. Missing nonrestrictive comma Use commas to set off nonrestrictive phrases or clauses, or those that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Do not use commas with restrictive phrases or clauses, or those that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. A “restrictive” element is so called because it “restricts,” limits, or defines the category to which it refers. For example, compare the example above, in which a nonrestrictive comma is needed, with this sentence: “John wrote the report that was rejected by the board; I wrote the report that was accepted.” Because the relative that clauses are defining which report is in question, the clauses are restrictive or essential and no commas are needed. Next exercise: Sentences 11-14
One of the things I will emphasize in my workshop is the importance of developing a broad vocabulary. In fact, I will challenge you to learn – and to begin using – one new word a week for the next 50 weeks. You’ll find some exercises on my Web page at www.wilbers.com that will help you accomplish this goal. Here’s an example of what those exercises look like. Match the words with the sentences in which they make sense. a. verbose b. impetuous c. impunity d. ubiquitous 11. Rather than taking a deliberate, considered approach, he made a snap decision, demonstrating his _________ nature. 12. Everywhere I look, I see those __________ yellow arches. 13. He never follows the rules; he thinks he can do anything he likes with ________. 14. Not only was I unable to get a word in, but the meeting lasted an hour longer than necessary because the presenter was so _______. Next exercise: Sentences 15-18
b d c a b. impetuous d. ubiquitous c. impunity a. verbose 11. Rather than taking a deliberate, considered approach, he made a snap decision, demonstrating his impetuous nature
12. Everywhere I look, I see those ubiquitous yellow arches.
13. He never follows the rules; he thinks he can do anything he likes with impunity.
14. Not only was I unable to get a word in, but the meeting lasted an hour longer than necessary because the presenter was so verbose.
Next exercise: Sentences 15-18
Now to review: What words might you use in the blanks in the sentences below? 15. Rather than taking a deliberate, considered approach, he made a snap decision, demonstrating his [click here] nature. 16. Everywhere I look, I see those [click here] yellow arches. 17. He never follows the rules; he thinks he can do anything he likes with [click here]. 18. Not only was I unable to get a word in, but the meeting lasted an hour longer than necessary because the presenter was so [click here].
15. Rather than taking a deliberate, considered approach, he made a snap decision, demonstrating his impetuous nature.
16. Everywhere I look, I see those ubiquitous yellow arches.
17. He never follows the rules; he thinks he can do anything he likes with impunity.
18. Not only was I unable to get a word in, but the meeting lasted an hour longer than necessary because the presenter was so verbose.
One more time: Word choice One more time: Vocabulary
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