D#4, HW#2 Grammar Assignment #1

For this assignment, I used the Purdue Owl site to look at three grammar usage areas that have given me some trouble. The first was the use of commas. The explanations given are very thorough, and I know I will refer to that section as I draft my writing assignments.
The second area I reviewed was the use of hyphens. This section has the best explanation I have seen, with plenty of examples.
The third area I looked at was how to construct proper transitions between paragraphs. The "Transitional Devices" page was definitely a good one to tag. I printed it out, and will definitely refer to it as I write.

Commas:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/01/

Hyphens:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/576/01/

Transitions:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/01/

Using the tips I reviewed, I went back to a writing project that I submitted for one of my Library classes. I revised it to correct a hyphenating error, and to give better paragraph transitions. The original and revised paragraphs follow.

Original paragraphs:

One thing that stands out in my mind is the staggering amount of information available on the Web. There are a number of high quality sites, with the latest research available. Learning how to better refine my search strategy has helped me improve the results, and I now use the techniques to help students do research at the school I work for.

I can also use what I learned to better evaluate sources on the Web. One of the things I almost always check now is the “About us” listing on new sites. The Internet can be a powerful research tool for those who know how to use it.

Finally, I must admit that having to use the MLA Handbook for proper citations has been helpful to me. Now I can help students doing research, making sure that they record all of the necessary documentation when they take their notes or copy passages from Web pages. I am much more confident that I am giving them accurate information. The research process really is worth learning to do correctly.

Use of hyphens

Paragraph transition

Revised paragraphs:

One thing that stands out in my mind is the staggering amount of information available on the Web. There are a number of high-quality sites, with the latest research available. Learning how to better refine my search strategy has helped me improve the results, and I now use the techniques to help students do research at the school I work for.

I can also use what I learned to better evaluate sources on the Web. One of the things I almost always check now is the “About us” listing on new sites. The Internet can be a powerful research tool for those who know how to use it and how to cite it.

Following the instructions in the MLA Handbook for proper citations has been especially helpful to me. Now I can help students doing research, making sure that they record all of the necessary documentation when they take their notes or copy passages from Web pages. I am much more confident that I am giving them accurate information. The research process really is worth learning to do correctly, and knowing proper citation formats will help with all future writing projects we pursue.

Properly hyphenated

Better transitions