Search found 172 matches

by Anja
Sat Jan 09, 2016 11:39 am
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--AVOIDING ETHNIC STEREOTYPES
Replies: 21
Views: 28669

Re: Be a Better Writer--AVOIDING ETHNIC STEREOTYPES

I am familiar with this in the context of press, as well. Choice of words is extremely important, not only for being PC and avoiding offense, but also because of bias. One example is the use of the words "indigenous people" or "people of aboriginal descent" or "First Nations...
by Anja
Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:57 pm
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: Semi-colons
Replies: 2
Views: 8453

Semi-colons

Semi-colons... a brief review. (For more information, scroll down the topics. I did a lesson on semi-colons a few years ago.) Primarily, semicolons join two independent clauses. In other words, two complete sentences that are very closely linked. The clauses are "stand-alone" in that they ...
by Anja
Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:36 pm
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: Her/Herself
Replies: 5
Views: 9855

Re: Her/Herself

Coming late to the party. In agreement with Shari and Jan. What I do, when in doubt (of either the grammar checker or myself), is re-write the sentence to avoid using whatever I'm second-guessing. Laurie wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, hoping to block the cold air. Laurie wrapped the bla...
by Anja
Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:18 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--BE A BETTER READER
Replies: 26
Views: 26914

Re: Be a Better Writer--BE A BETTER READER

I can't really add anything that hasn't already been said. I read. I read a lot. I schedule my day to get all my chores done so I can read. I read "real" books. I also have an e-reader. (Kobo) I have both Kindle and Kobo apps on my smart phone. I download free books, but my main source for...
by Anja
Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:24 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--VOICE (PART 1)
Replies: 11
Views: 13813

Re: Be a Better Writer--VOICE (PART 1)

For a little more of what Jan suggested regarding reading material, see my BoB interview with Joanne Sher. A tiny example of a writer using similar language even in vastly dissimilar works... I have read three Barbara Kingsolver novels in a row. In each one, she uses the word "earbobs," a ...
by Anja
Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:36 pm
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Replies: 5
Views: 10747

Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

In that case, change the "each" to "all" and "deals" to "deal." "but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and how all of us deal with risk in our own ways." Which makes better sense, I think. I often reword a sentence if it isn't clear or if...
by Anja
Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:29 pm
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: Passive sentences
Replies: 1
Views: 6648

Re: Passive sentences

The passive voice is not necessarily wrong. In fact, as you say, it is often indicated and may be preferred in certain instances.

Here's a little article about the use of passive voice.

Passive
by Anja
Mon Jun 29, 2015 11:41 am
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't
Replies: 5
Views: 10747

Re: I Wish I Could Say I Know I'm Right, But I Can't

Just getting to this, Lillian. "Each" is the noun and is singular. So use the appropriate verb. "Toddlers and adults" is extra information, parenthetical, so remove it (in your head) to complete the sentence's structure. "but the theme of the story focuses on risk taking and...
by Anja
Mon May 18, 2015 1:31 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--SLANT RHYME
Replies: 19
Views: 20000

Re: Be a Better Writer--SLANT RHYME

Could you give us a snippet of cowboy poetry, please? Mine? If not, here's part of an old classic by S. Omar Barker "Purt Near!" They called him "Purt Near Perkins," for unless the booger lied, He'd purt near done most everything that he had ever tried. He'd purt near been a pre...
by Anja
Mon May 18, 2015 1:16 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--SLANT RHYME
Replies: 19
Views: 20000

Re: Be a Better Writer--SLANT RHYME

YES, this. From the article posted above. http://www.cowboypoetry.com/slant.htm "Does Slant Rhyme With Can't?" By the same token, slant rhyme that fails to lift a poem to loftier heights of language is every bit as useless as a poorly made strict rhyme. Slant rhyme is not a license to be s...
by Anja
Mon May 18, 2015 12:12 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--SLANT RHYME
Replies: 19
Views: 20000

Re: Be a Better Writer--SLANT RHYME

I am hesitant to comment, because I don't know much except that I like to play around with poetry, and I have several favourite poets, specifically, Robert Service, Alfred Noyes, and Robert Frost. I like poetry, either what I write or read, to "say what it says," none of the hashing out th...
by Anja
Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:56 pm
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: Dangling Participles - Misplaced Modifiers
Replies: 0
Views: 5984

Dangling Participles - Misplaced Modifiers

Dangling Participle (and its twin, Misplaced Modifier ) are funny-at-best, confusing-at-worst little monsters that can run amuck through copy and fiction, causing the reader to stop and go, "Huh??" At least they should. To understand dangling participles, you need to know what a participl...
by Anja
Wed Apr 08, 2015 6:28 pm
Forum: Jan's Writing Basics
Topic: Be a Better Writer--RESOURCES FOR THE WRITER
Replies: 13
Views: 19420

Re: Be a Better Writer--RESOURCES FOR THE WRITER

I use these, as Jan cited. Grammar Girl Here on FaithWriters, don’t forget Ann’s Grammar Basics. . She’s a busy gal, and her forum tends to go through periods of activity and inactivity. But if “business” picked up there, I’m sure she’d pop in more often, and her advice is as fine as any I’ve ever s...
by Anja
Tue Apr 07, 2015 2:56 pm
Forum: Ann's Grammar Basics
Topic: The word that
Replies: 4
Views: 9084

Re: The word that

Do you tend to use it more or less? I answered your other questions, I hope, about clarifications and if using "that" really matters, but I didn't answer this question. I try not to use "that," if at all possible. My early elementary school Language Arts lessons about "that...

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