Welcome Back!Nye Communities Coalition Writing SeminarSession #2

The PlanQuick review of last week

Collecting the homework

Q & A

Active VoiceWhat is it? Why is it important?Practice correcting passive voiceQ & A

The PlanParallel structure

sentences & listsQ & A

Punctuation mark of the day: Apostrophes

Hyphens next week

TransitionsWords & sentences

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

What is it?

A verb is active if its subject performs the action.

A verb is passive if its action is performed upon the subject.

Often the person or item performing the action is in a prepositional phrase at the end of the sentence.

Examples

Rob wrote several sample sentences.

The sentences were written by Rob.

Why Use Active Voice?

Active voice is generally preferred because it uses fewer words.

Active voice is generally more specific and direct.

Passive voice can be used to emphasize the receiver of an action as opposed to the “doer” of the action.

PracticeQuestions

Parallel StructureWhat is it

Parallelism is the placement of equal ideas, often in a list, into similar structures.

Examples

Faulty:The waiter suggested lamb chops, green beans, and that we try the sweet potatoes.

Correct:The waiter suggested lamb chops, green beans and sweet potatoes.

Parallel StructureLists

Bulleted lists should follow parallel structure.

We have a plan:• gather data• assess need• write proposals• wait for money

Notice each item in the list begins with an action verb.

Fix Me

Here is a list of items to consider for writing grants:• active voice• being concise• correct

punctuation• how to organize

PracticeQuestions

ApostrophesTwo Uses

Contractions

Possessives

Not for plurals!

Examples

Have not = haven’t

Will not = won’t------------------

The ball is John’s.

Mr. Williams' homework

Tattoos and Piercings

The Apostrophe to Memorize

Its

The possessive form

The dog buried its bones.

It’s

The contraction for “it is”

It’s time for dinner.

English Simplified

PracticeQuestions

TransitionsPurpose: to create fluency within a text

Words

Phrases

however, therefore, finally, also, otherwise

on the other hand, most important, in other words, for example

Transition Examples

George and Al disappeared into another room. They emerged wearing clown costumes.

George and all disappeared into another room. A few minutes later, they emerged wearing clown costumes.

Do this one…

North Americans often serve hot chocolate with whipped cream. South Americans often add cinnamon and sometimes orange rind.

Review

The move was seen by our whole family.

A good speech must be audible, logical, and have clarity.

This is Robs classroom.

I’m interested in getting several tattoo’s.

Its not my fault.

Not everyone did poorly on the exam. Janet scored over 90 percent.

Homework

Remembering the items we’ve covered over the first two weeks, please rewrite the grant proposal we outlined during session #1.

Please keep it to one page.