Class Notes for Writing for the Mass Media, 9th Edition
Class Notes for Writing for the Mass Media, 9th Edition summarizes important topics for quick revision.
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Chapter 1 Exercises
Following is a variety of beginning writing exercises. Try to apply the principles outlined in this
chapter as you complete the exercises. Remember that presenting information is more important
than telling how you feel about the subject. Also remember that you should write as simply as
possible, using words and phrases that everyone will understand.
1.1 Autobiography 1
Write a 350-word summary of your life. Tell the most important things that have happened to
you. Also talk about the things that interest you the most.
1.2 Letter to Mom
Write a letter to your mother, father, or other close relative. The main part of your letter should
be about the course that requires this assignment. Include some information about the professor
for the course, what the course is about, the procedures for the class, the grading and attendance
policies, and anything else you think is important. You will also want to give the name of your
lab instructor. The letter should be at least 250 words long.
1.3 Describe Your Neighbor
Describe the person sitting nearest to you. Be specific. Give the reader a lot of details about the
person’s physical appearance, including hair and eye color, height, shape of the face, the clothes
the person is wearing, and so on. Write at least 200 words.
1.4 An Incident
Write about something that happened to you in the last week. It could be something dramatic,
such as being in an automobile accident or meeting a famous person, or something common,
such as eating a meal or taking a ride on a bus. You should include some dialogue (quoting
someone directly) in the description of this incident. Write at least 250 words.
1.5 Action
Describe a person or a group of people doing something. It could be something like a couple of
carpenters building a house or your roommate trying to type a paper. Be sure to focus on the
physical activity and on how people are doing it. Don’t try to describe how the people feel or
what they may think about what they are doing. Simply write about what you can see and hear.
Write at least 350 words.
Following is a variety of beginning writing exercises. Try to apply the principles outlined in this
chapter as you complete the exercises. Remember that presenting information is more important
than telling how you feel about the subject. Also remember that you should write as simply as
possible, using words and phrases that everyone will understand.
1.1 Autobiography 1
Write a 350-word summary of your life. Tell the most important things that have happened to
you. Also talk about the things that interest you the most.
1.2 Letter to Mom
Write a letter to your mother, father, or other close relative. The main part of your letter should
be about the course that requires this assignment. Include some information about the professor
for the course, what the course is about, the procedures for the class, the grading and attendance
policies, and anything else you think is important. You will also want to give the name of your
lab instructor. The letter should be at least 250 words long.
1.3 Describe Your Neighbor
Describe the person sitting nearest to you. Be specific. Give the reader a lot of details about the
person’s physical appearance, including hair and eye color, height, shape of the face, the clothes
the person is wearing, and so on. Write at least 200 words.
1.4 An Incident
Write about something that happened to you in the last week. It could be something dramatic,
such as being in an automobile accident or meeting a famous person, or something common,
such as eating a meal or taking a ride on a bus. You should include some dialogue (quoting
someone directly) in the description of this incident. Write at least 250 words.
1.5 Action
Describe a person or a group of people doing something. It could be something like a couple of
carpenters building a house or your roommate trying to type a paper. Be sure to focus on the
physical activity and on how people are doing it. Don’t try to describe how the people feel or
what they may think about what they are doing. Simply write about what you can see and hear.
Write at least 350 words.
Chapter 1 Exercises
Following is a variety of beginning writing exercises. Try to apply the principles outlined in this
chapter as you complete the exercises. Remember that presenting information is more important
than telling how you feel about the subject. Also remember that you should write as simply as
possible, using words and phrases that everyone will understand.
1.1 Autobiography 1
Write a 350-word summary of your life. Tell the most important things that have happened to
you. Also talk about the things that interest you the most.
1.2 Letter to Mom
Write a letter to your mother, father, or other close relative. The main part of your letter should
be about the course that requires this assignment. Include some information about the professor
for the course, what the course is about, the procedures for the class, the grading and attendance
policies, and anything else you think is important. You will also want to give the name of your
lab instructor. The letter should be at least 250 words long.
1.3 Describe Your Neighbor
Describe the person sitting nearest to you. Be specific. Give the reader a lot of details about the
person’s physical appearance, including hair and eye color, height, shape of the face, the clothes
the person is wearing, and so on. Write at least 200 words.
1.4 An Incident
Write about something that happened to you in the last week. It could be something dramatic,
such as being in an automobile accident or meeting a famous person, or something common,
such as eating a meal or taking a ride on a bus. You should include some dialogue (quoting
someone directly) in the description of this incident. Write at least 250 words.
1.5 Action
Describe a person or a group of people doing something. It could be something like a couple of
carpenters building a house or your roommate trying to type a paper. Be sure to focus on the
physical activity and on how people are doing it. Don’t try to describe how the people feel or
what they may think about what they are doing. Simply write about what you can see and hear.
Write at least 350 words.
Following is a variety of beginning writing exercises. Try to apply the principles outlined in this
chapter as you complete the exercises. Remember that presenting information is more important
than telling how you feel about the subject. Also remember that you should write as simply as
possible, using words and phrases that everyone will understand.
1.1 Autobiography 1
Write a 350-word summary of your life. Tell the most important things that have happened to
you. Also talk about the things that interest you the most.
1.2 Letter to Mom
Write a letter to your mother, father, or other close relative. The main part of your letter should
be about the course that requires this assignment. Include some information about the professor
for the course, what the course is about, the procedures for the class, the grading and attendance
policies, and anything else you think is important. You will also want to give the name of your
lab instructor. The letter should be at least 250 words long.
1.3 Describe Your Neighbor
Describe the person sitting nearest to you. Be specific. Give the reader a lot of details about the
person’s physical appearance, including hair and eye color, height, shape of the face, the clothes
the person is wearing, and so on. Write at least 200 words.
1.4 An Incident
Write about something that happened to you in the last week. It could be something dramatic,
such as being in an automobile accident or meeting a famous person, or something common,
such as eating a meal or taking a ride on a bus. You should include some dialogue (quoting
someone directly) in the description of this incident. Write at least 250 words.
1.5 Action
Describe a person or a group of people doing something. It could be something like a couple of
carpenters building a house or your roommate trying to type a paper. Be sure to focus on the
physical activity and on how people are doing it. Don’t try to describe how the people feel or
what they may think about what they are doing. Simply write about what you can see and hear.
Write at least 350 words.
1.6 Autobiography 2
Write a 200-word autobiography in the third person; that is, do not use I, me, or any other first-
person pronoun. Use only simple sentences. Here’s an example of how it might begin:
John Smith was born on April 15, 1983, in Decatur, Illinois. He is the son of Adele and Wayne
Smith. John’s parents moved to Chicago when he was 3 years old.
1.7 Autobiography 3
Write a 300-word autobiography, but confine it to a single aspect of your life. Write in the third
person.
Select the aspect of your life that you want to write about. Think about all of the different ways
in which that aspect of your life affects you. Think also about how it began and what it means to
you now. Construct your essay around the points that you think are the most important. In your
first sentence, let the reader know immediately what you are writing about, and try to use an
active, descriptive verb. Here’s an example:
Playing the piano always lifts the spirits of John Smith.
From the first sentence, there should be no doubt about the subject of this essay.
1.8 Biography
Write a 300-word biography of one of your classmates; as in Exercise 1.7, confine it to a single
aspect of his or her life. Everything you write in this essay should be accurate, so you will have
to talk with that person. Make sure you spell that person’s name correctly, and accurately record
all of the details you will include in your essay. Remember that you are writing about only one
aspect of that person’s life, not a complete biography. Leave out information that does not
pertain directly to the specific subject about which you are writing. As in the previous exercise,
let the reader know immediately what your subject is, and try to use a strong, active verb in the
first sentence.
1.9 Instructions 1
Tell step by step how to do one of the following things:
Build a fire
Change the oil in a car
Apply lipstick
Make a sandwich
Write a 200-word autobiography in the third person; that is, do not use I, me, or any other first-
person pronoun. Use only simple sentences. Here’s an example of how it might begin:
John Smith was born on April 15, 1983, in Decatur, Illinois. He is the son of Adele and Wayne
Smith. John’s parents moved to Chicago when he was 3 years old.
1.7 Autobiography 3
Write a 300-word autobiography, but confine it to a single aspect of your life. Write in the third
person.
Select the aspect of your life that you want to write about. Think about all of the different ways
in which that aspect of your life affects you. Think also about how it began and what it means to
you now. Construct your essay around the points that you think are the most important. In your
first sentence, let the reader know immediately what you are writing about, and try to use an
active, descriptive verb. Here’s an example:
Playing the piano always lifts the spirits of John Smith.
From the first sentence, there should be no doubt about the subject of this essay.
1.8 Biography
Write a 300-word biography of one of your classmates; as in Exercise 1.7, confine it to a single
aspect of his or her life. Everything you write in this essay should be accurate, so you will have
to talk with that person. Make sure you spell that person’s name correctly, and accurately record
all of the details you will include in your essay. Remember that you are writing about only one
aspect of that person’s life, not a complete biography. Leave out information that does not
pertain directly to the specific subject about which you are writing. As in the previous exercise,
let the reader know immediately what your subject is, and try to use a strong, active verb in the
first sentence.
1.9 Instructions 1
Tell step by step how to do one of the following things:
Build a fire
Change the oil in a car
Apply lipstick
Make a sandwich
1.6 Autobiography 2
Write a 200-word autobiography in the third person; that is, do not use I, me, or any other first-
person pronoun. Use only simple sentences. Here’s an example of how it might begin:
John Smith was born on April 15, 1983, in Decatur, Illinois. He is the son of Adele and Wayne
Smith. John’s parents moved to Chicago when he was 3 years old.
1.7 Autobiography 3
Write a 300-word autobiography, but confine it to a single aspect of your life. Write in the third
person.
Select the aspect of your life that you want to write about. Think about all of the different ways
in which that aspect of your life affects you. Think also about how it began and what it means to
you now. Construct your essay around the points that you think are the most important. In your
first sentence, let the reader know immediately what you are writing about, and try to use an
active, descriptive verb. Here’s an example:
Playing the piano always lifts the spirits of John Smith.
From the first sentence, there should be no doubt about the subject of this essay.
1.8 Biography
Write a 300-word biography of one of your classmates; as in Exercise 1.7, confine it to a single
aspect of his or her life. Everything you write in this essay should be accurate, so you will have
to talk with that person. Make sure you spell that person’s name correctly, and accurately record
all of the details you will include in your essay. Remember that you are writing about only one
aspect of that person’s life, not a complete biography. Leave out information that does not
pertain directly to the specific subject about which you are writing. As in the previous exercise,
let the reader know immediately what your subject is, and try to use a strong, active verb in the
first sentence.
1.9 Instructions 1
Tell step by step how to do one of the following things:
Build a fire
Change the oil in a car
Apply lipstick
Make a sandwich
Write a 200-word autobiography in the third person; that is, do not use I, me, or any other first-
person pronoun. Use only simple sentences. Here’s an example of how it might begin:
John Smith was born on April 15, 1983, in Decatur, Illinois. He is the son of Adele and Wayne
Smith. John’s parents moved to Chicago when he was 3 years old.
1.7 Autobiography 3
Write a 300-word autobiography, but confine it to a single aspect of your life. Write in the third
person.
Select the aspect of your life that you want to write about. Think about all of the different ways
in which that aspect of your life affects you. Think also about how it began and what it means to
you now. Construct your essay around the points that you think are the most important. In your
first sentence, let the reader know immediately what you are writing about, and try to use an
active, descriptive verb. Here’s an example:
Playing the piano always lifts the spirits of John Smith.
From the first sentence, there should be no doubt about the subject of this essay.
1.8 Biography
Write a 300-word biography of one of your classmates; as in Exercise 1.7, confine it to a single
aspect of his or her life. Everything you write in this essay should be accurate, so you will have
to talk with that person. Make sure you spell that person’s name correctly, and accurately record
all of the details you will include in your essay. Remember that you are writing about only one
aspect of that person’s life, not a complete biography. Leave out information that does not
pertain directly to the specific subject about which you are writing. As in the previous exercise,
let the reader know immediately what your subject is, and try to use a strong, active verb in the
first sentence.
1.9 Instructions 1
Tell step by step how to do one of the following things:
Build a fire
Change the oil in a car
Apply lipstick
Make a sandwich
Brush and floss your teeth
Change a tire
Do a load of laundry
Use simple terms and simple sentences so that anyone who can read could understand it.
Following is an example of such a set of directions.
To drive a nail into a piece of wood, follow the steps below:
1. Lay the wood flat on a solid surface.
2. Check the nail that you are using to make sure it is straight; if it is bent, discard it and
choose another.
3. Hold the pointed end of the nail against the wood with the thumb and the first finger. Etc.
The activity that you describe should have at least seven steps.
1.10 Instructions 2
Describe the procedure for tying a shoelace in 100 words or less. You might approach the
assignment this way: Write the procedure without regard to how many words you are using.
Once you have finished the first draft, edit it to take out as many words as possible. What does
this tell you about the way you write?
1.11 Building
Describe the building in which this class is being held. Don’t go outside and look at it, but
describe it from what you remember. Write at least 150 words.
1.12 Rewriting
Rewrite the following letter using simpler language. Make sure that you include all of the
information that is contained in the original letter.
Dear Stockholder:
In accordance with company policies and the federal law, this letter is to inform you of the
general annual meeting of the stockholders of this company which will be held on the 30th day
of March of this year. The place of the meeting will be in the ballroom of the Waldorf Hotel,
which is located at 323 Lexington Avenue, in New York. The beginning time of the meeting will
be at nine o’clock in the morning on the 30th of March.
The agenda for this meeting includes a number of items and actions of great importance to the
company and its stockholders. The election of officers for the company’s board of directors will
Change a tire
Do a load of laundry
Use simple terms and simple sentences so that anyone who can read could understand it.
Following is an example of such a set of directions.
To drive a nail into a piece of wood, follow the steps below:
1. Lay the wood flat on a solid surface.
2. Check the nail that you are using to make sure it is straight; if it is bent, discard it and
choose another.
3. Hold the pointed end of the nail against the wood with the thumb and the first finger. Etc.
The activity that you describe should have at least seven steps.
1.10 Instructions 2
Describe the procedure for tying a shoelace in 100 words or less. You might approach the
assignment this way: Write the procedure without regard to how many words you are using.
Once you have finished the first draft, edit it to take out as many words as possible. What does
this tell you about the way you write?
1.11 Building
Describe the building in which this class is being held. Don’t go outside and look at it, but
describe it from what you remember. Write at least 150 words.
1.12 Rewriting
Rewrite the following letter using simpler language. Make sure that you include all of the
information that is contained in the original letter.
Dear Stockholder:
In accordance with company policies and the federal law, this letter is to inform you of the
general annual meeting of the stockholders of this company which will be held on the 30th day
of March of this year. The place of the meeting will be in the ballroom of the Waldorf Hotel,
which is located at 323 Lexington Avenue, in New York. The beginning time of the meeting will
be at nine o’clock in the morning on the 30th of March.
The agenda for this meeting includes a number of items and actions of great importance to the
company and its stockholders. The election of officers for the company’s board of directors will
take place beginning at approximately half past ten o’clock. This election follows the annual
reports on the company’s activities and financial position, which will be presented by the
president of the company and the chairman of the board of directors. Other items on the agenda
include discussions of the company’s operations in the foreign arena and the possibilities for
investments in new areas of technology. Time will also be appropriated for discussions of
general concerns of stockholders and for the answering of questions from stockholders directed
to the company’s officers. It is the sincere wish of the company’s board of directors and officers
that you will be able to attend this most important and hopefully informative meeting. The input
of the company’s stockholders is an important part of this company’s operation and planning for
the future.
Sincerely,
The Company President
1.13 Brevity
Edit all unnecessary words from the following expressions:
1. wore a white goatee on his chin
2. throughout the length and width of the entire nation
3. was positively identified
4. appeared to be ill
5. a dead body was found
6. in the city of Los Angeles
7. cost the sum of ten dollars
8. broke an existing rule
9. for the month of May
10. for a short space of time
11. an old pioneer
12. the present incumbent
13. will draw to a close
14. at the corner of Sixth and Elm streets
15. for the purpose of shocking
1.14 Wordiness
The following sentences use too many words. Edit them carefully to reduce the number of
words, but do not cut out important information. If necessary, rewrite the sentences completely.
1. There was never any doubt whatsoever that Hannah would one day—and not too far in
the distant future—become a famous and internationally known jazz singer who was
recognized by jazz fans around the world.
reports on the company’s activities and financial position, which will be presented by the
president of the company and the chairman of the board of directors. Other items on the agenda
include discussions of the company’s operations in the foreign arena and the possibilities for
investments in new areas of technology. Time will also be appropriated for discussions of
general concerns of stockholders and for the answering of questions from stockholders directed
to the company’s officers. It is the sincere wish of the company’s board of directors and officers
that you will be able to attend this most important and hopefully informative meeting. The input
of the company’s stockholders is an important part of this company’s operation and planning for
the future.
Sincerely,
The Company President
1.13 Brevity
Edit all unnecessary words from the following expressions:
1. wore a white goatee on his chin
2. throughout the length and width of the entire nation
3. was positively identified
4. appeared to be ill
5. a dead body was found
6. in the city of Los Angeles
7. cost the sum of ten dollars
8. broke an existing rule
9. for the month of May
10. for a short space of time
11. an old pioneer
12. the present incumbent
13. will draw to a close
14. at the corner of Sixth and Elm streets
15. for the purpose of shocking
1.14 Wordiness
The following sentences use too many words. Edit them carefully to reduce the number of
words, but do not cut out important information. If necessary, rewrite the sentences completely.
1. There was never any doubt whatsoever that Hannah would one day—and not too far in
the distant future—become a famous and internationally known jazz singer who was
recognized by jazz fans around the world.
2. Midville is not a large town, but rather a fairly small place with a really small town
atmosphere that offers a lot of safety and security to its residents and citizens and all who
live there, especially to those who are raising families with small children.
3. Ed spent many long and tedious hours drawing the detailed map that charted and traced
the growth of the church denomination to which he belonged from its beginnings to the
present day.
4. At this point in time, Erin could not see any point at all in continuing to pay tuition to a
college where she was absolutely convinced that she was not receiving the best education
or her money’s worth for the tuition she was spending.
5. Always confused by any kind of mathematical problem, Sally, for no reason that anyone
could ever figure out, signed up for one of the hardest and most difficult math courses in
the entire curriculum.
6. Owing to the fact that the prerequisite courses had not been taken by John, he was having
a great deal of difficulty and had to spend a lot of time figuring out his schedule for the
semester that is coming up.
7. There is little consideration given by our professors to the very real problem that our
textbooks are often extremely costly and expensive.
8. Alex said that the thing to do if he wanted to improve his writing would be to read as
many good books as he could possibly read in the time available to him.
9. Baseball has always been thought of as the national pastime, but for all intents and
purposes, football has replaced baseball as the favorite sport for many people across this
country.
10. During the period of time that included most of February, Laura stayed cooped up in her
room and tried to fight off the effects of a very bad and debilitating cold.
11. Basically, I have a disinclination and a disinterest in helping people who are not willing
to do some things such as show up for work on time and put forth the effort that it often
takes to succeed in this life.
1.15 Autobiography 4: Your life story, in one
minute, out loud
Write your life story using 150 words. Use sentences that are 10 words or shorter. Read what you
have written out loud in class or into a voice recorder. If parts of the autobiography made you
stumble in reading it aloud, you may want to rewrite those parts.
atmosphere that offers a lot of safety and security to its residents and citizens and all who
live there, especially to those who are raising families with small children.
3. Ed spent many long and tedious hours drawing the detailed map that charted and traced
the growth of the church denomination to which he belonged from its beginnings to the
present day.
4. At this point in time, Erin could not see any point at all in continuing to pay tuition to a
college where she was absolutely convinced that she was not receiving the best education
or her money’s worth for the tuition she was spending.
5. Always confused by any kind of mathematical problem, Sally, for no reason that anyone
could ever figure out, signed up for one of the hardest and most difficult math courses in
the entire curriculum.
6. Owing to the fact that the prerequisite courses had not been taken by John, he was having
a great deal of difficulty and had to spend a lot of time figuring out his schedule for the
semester that is coming up.
7. There is little consideration given by our professors to the very real problem that our
textbooks are often extremely costly and expensive.
8. Alex said that the thing to do if he wanted to improve his writing would be to read as
many good books as he could possibly read in the time available to him.
9. Baseball has always been thought of as the national pastime, but for all intents and
purposes, football has replaced baseball as the favorite sport for many people across this
country.
10. During the period of time that included most of February, Laura stayed cooped up in her
room and tried to fight off the effects of a very bad and debilitating cold.
11. Basically, I have a disinclination and a disinterest in helping people who are not willing
to do some things such as show up for work on time and put forth the effort that it often
takes to succeed in this life.
1.15 Autobiography 4: Your life story, in one
minute, out loud
Write your life story using 150 words. Use sentences that are 10 words or shorter. Read what you
have written out loud in class or into a voice recorder. If parts of the autobiography made you
stumble in reading it aloud, you may want to rewrite those parts.
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Chapter 2 Exercises
The following section contains a variety of exercises that will help you to use the language more
precisely. You should follow your instructor’s directions in completing them.
2.1 Writing Skills 1
The following sentences are taken from newspapers and television broadcasts. Correct the errors
you find by either copy editing or rewriting the sentences. Underline your corrections. Some of
the sentences are correct, in which case you should write “correct” in the margin.
1. He is one of the greatest choreographers who has ever lived.
2. The general assumed what was then described as dictorial powers.
3. The couple has two children.
4. Inside the box was a man and a woman.
5. Absent from the meeting were the mayor and two councilmen.
6. Every fireman in the city, 250 in all were called out.
7. A total of 650 eskimos was examined and tested.
8. Only two in four were urgent cases, a group that included cardiacs, asthmatics and those
found unconscious.
9. The chairman stated that response to the committee’s activities has convinced him that
the money for renovation can be raised.
10. Business administration and journalism courses provide the student with good
background for work in public relations.
11. Here comes the famous Kilgore College Rangerettes onto the field to perform at halftime.
12. Leading the United States’ show of strength were Arthur Ashe and Clarke Graebner.
13. The investigation revealed that none of the team members were involved in illegal
endorsements of sports clothing.
14. “There’s two knocked out cold on the floor!” the sportscaster shouted.
15. Every one of us have asked that question sometime in our lives.
2.2 Writing Skills 2
Correct the following sentences.
1. Their rival forces meanwhile prepared to meet Wednesday to patch up peace.
2. Pasadena California is the site of the Rose Bowl.
3. It was O. J. Simpson (who, whom) the coach praised so highly.
4. The tomb of the pharaoh had (laid, lain) buried in the desert for centuries.
5. I heard the train whistle at the crossing that was going to Denver.
6. She borrowed an egg from a neighbor that was rotten.
7. For a year we almost heard nothing from our former neighbors.
8. There was a canary in a cage that never sang.
The following section contains a variety of exercises that will help you to use the language more
precisely. You should follow your instructor’s directions in completing them.
2.1 Writing Skills 1
The following sentences are taken from newspapers and television broadcasts. Correct the errors
you find by either copy editing or rewriting the sentences. Underline your corrections. Some of
the sentences are correct, in which case you should write “correct” in the margin.
1. He is one of the greatest choreographers who has ever lived.
2. The general assumed what was then described as dictorial powers.
3. The couple has two children.
4. Inside the box was a man and a woman.
5. Absent from the meeting were the mayor and two councilmen.
6. Every fireman in the city, 250 in all were called out.
7. A total of 650 eskimos was examined and tested.
8. Only two in four were urgent cases, a group that included cardiacs, asthmatics and those
found unconscious.
9. The chairman stated that response to the committee’s activities has convinced him that
the money for renovation can be raised.
10. Business administration and journalism courses provide the student with good
background for work in public relations.
11. Here comes the famous Kilgore College Rangerettes onto the field to perform at halftime.
12. Leading the United States’ show of strength were Arthur Ashe and Clarke Graebner.
13. The investigation revealed that none of the team members were involved in illegal
endorsements of sports clothing.
14. “There’s two knocked out cold on the floor!” the sportscaster shouted.
15. Every one of us have asked that question sometime in our lives.
2.2 Writing Skills 2
Correct the following sentences.
1. Their rival forces meanwhile prepared to meet Wednesday to patch up peace.
2. Pasadena California is the site of the Rose Bowl.
3. It was O. J. Simpson (who, whom) the coach praised so highly.
4. The tomb of the pharaoh had (laid, lain) buried in the desert for centuries.
5. I heard the train whistle at the crossing that was going to Denver.
6. She borrowed an egg from a neighbor that was rotten.
7. For a year we almost heard nothing from our former neighbors.
8. There was a canary in a cage that never sang.
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9. We hope that you will notify us if you can attend the banquet on the enclosed post card.
10. Come here Mary and help us.
11. I know she (swum, swims) the channel regularly in this weather.
12. The children looked forward to celebrating Christmas for several weeks.
13. After setting foot on the uninhabited island of Europe, off Africa, to direct the filming of
the sea turtles, a hurricane whirled across the Indian ocean and hit the island.
14. He ran swiftly the dog in front of him and plunged into the forest.
15. The casings had (tore, torn) (loose, lose) from their bearings.
2.3 Punctuation 1
In the following sentences, insert the correct punctuation.
1. I subscribe to the New Yorker Harper’s Magazine and the New Republic
2. Seven legislators from the southern part of the state changed their votes and with their
help the bill was passed.
3. Do you like your steak rare medium or well done?
4. A tape recorder gives very accurate reproduction and it has the great advantage that it can
be used at home as well as at the studio.
5. The gun went off and everyone jumped
6. The new cars are certainly more powerful but it is doubtful that they are any safer
7. Light entered the room through cracks in the walls through holes in the roof and through
one small window.
8. Hundreds of church bells ringing loudly after years of silence announced the end of the
war
9. The book was lying where I left it
10. The advisor who is never in his office makes registration difficult
11. Some years ago I lived in a section of town where almost everyone was a Republican
12. Hearne was still disclaiming with great eloquence but no one in the crowd was listening
13. I bought a large bath towel
14. We were sitting before the fire in the big room at Twins Farms and Lewis had rudely
retired behind the newspaper
15. The ranchmen rode with their families into the little town and encouraged their sons to
demonstrate their skill with broken horses
2.4 Pronouns and Verbs
In the following sentences, underline the correct pronoun or verb.
1. He is the player (who, whom) probably will play shortstop.
2. Is this the person (who, whom) you want?
3. Each of the three quarterbacks (is, are) (a) good runner(s).
4. Both Baylor and Arkansas (has, have) won six games and lost two.
5. Either of the two players (are, is) eligible.
10. Come here Mary and help us.
11. I know she (swum, swims) the channel regularly in this weather.
12. The children looked forward to celebrating Christmas for several weeks.
13. After setting foot on the uninhabited island of Europe, off Africa, to direct the filming of
the sea turtles, a hurricane whirled across the Indian ocean and hit the island.
14. He ran swiftly the dog in front of him and plunged into the forest.
15. The casings had (tore, torn) (loose, lose) from their bearings.
2.3 Punctuation 1
In the following sentences, insert the correct punctuation.
1. I subscribe to the New Yorker Harper’s Magazine and the New Republic
2. Seven legislators from the southern part of the state changed their votes and with their
help the bill was passed.
3. Do you like your steak rare medium or well done?
4. A tape recorder gives very accurate reproduction and it has the great advantage that it can
be used at home as well as at the studio.
5. The gun went off and everyone jumped
6. The new cars are certainly more powerful but it is doubtful that they are any safer
7. Light entered the room through cracks in the walls through holes in the roof and through
one small window.
8. Hundreds of church bells ringing loudly after years of silence announced the end of the
war
9. The book was lying where I left it
10. The advisor who is never in his office makes registration difficult
11. Some years ago I lived in a section of town where almost everyone was a Republican
12. Hearne was still disclaiming with great eloquence but no one in the crowd was listening
13. I bought a large bath towel
14. We were sitting before the fire in the big room at Twins Farms and Lewis had rudely
retired behind the newspaper
15. The ranchmen rode with their families into the little town and encouraged their sons to
demonstrate their skill with broken horses
2.4 Pronouns and Verbs
In the following sentences, underline the correct pronoun or verb.
1. He is the player (who, whom) probably will play shortstop.
2. Is this the person (who, whom) you want?
3. Each of the three quarterbacks (is, are) (a) good runner(s).
4. Both Baylor and Arkansas (has, have) won six games and lost two.
5. Either of the two players (are, is) eligible.
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6. Each of the members (was, were) in (his or her, their) seat(s) when the session began.
7. (Who, Whom), then, would the tax hurt?
8. Do you know to (who, whom) that notebook belongs?
9. (Who, Whom) is going with the reporter to get a picture of the crash?
10. He declared that everybody must play (his or her, their) part.
11. This story is between you and (I, me).
12. No matter how you look at it, it was (she, her) (who, whom) they opposed.
13. Bryan is the kind of man (whom, who) always thinks before he acts.
14. This is the only one of the typewriters that (is, are) working.
15. Everyone was on (their, his or her) best behavior.
2.5 Verbs
In the following sentences, underline the correct form of the verb.
1. What (lays, lies) in the future for Alaska?
2. He had been (lain, laid) on a stretcher.
3. “(Lay, Lie) down and be quiet for an hour,” he ordered.
4. The 6-year-old boy was just (setting, sitting) there in the ruins, trying not to cry.
5. The Ohio State football team (sat, set) back and enjoyed the movie of its game with
Michigan.
6. The men worked all night (raising, rising) a monument in spite of the (raising, rising) tide
of the river.
7. After lunch she had (laid, lain) down for a nap.
8. The hard tackling by the Georgia Bulldogs had really (began, begun) to show.
9. Suddenly a cloud of dust (rises, raises) in the west.
10. Had the tight end simply (fell, fallen) on the ball, he would have (catched, caught) it.
11. Spillane (led, lead) you to believe that the butler was the murderer.
12. Chris Gilbert had (proved, proven) to be the outstanding player.
13. He said that he could (loose, lose) his fortune, but he had (chose, chosen) to gamble all he
had.
14. The Smiths (use, used) to live in San Francisco.
15. The man was lucky he wasn’t (drown, drowned).
2.6 Clauses
In the following sentences, underline the independent clause and circle the subordinate
(dependent) clause.
1. They agreed to open negotiations when both sides ceased fire.
2. If he had known, he would never have said that.
3. Since the current was swift, he could not swim to shore.
4. The horse came up to the first jump, when he stumbled and threw Jean off.
7. (Who, Whom), then, would the tax hurt?
8. Do you know to (who, whom) that notebook belongs?
9. (Who, Whom) is going with the reporter to get a picture of the crash?
10. He declared that everybody must play (his or her, their) part.
11. This story is between you and (I, me).
12. No matter how you look at it, it was (she, her) (who, whom) they opposed.
13. Bryan is the kind of man (whom, who) always thinks before he acts.
14. This is the only one of the typewriters that (is, are) working.
15. Everyone was on (their, his or her) best behavior.
2.5 Verbs
In the following sentences, underline the correct form of the verb.
1. What (lays, lies) in the future for Alaska?
2. He had been (lain, laid) on a stretcher.
3. “(Lay, Lie) down and be quiet for an hour,” he ordered.
4. The 6-year-old boy was just (setting, sitting) there in the ruins, trying not to cry.
5. The Ohio State football team (sat, set) back and enjoyed the movie of its game with
Michigan.
6. The men worked all night (raising, rising) a monument in spite of the (raising, rising) tide
of the river.
7. After lunch she had (laid, lain) down for a nap.
8. The hard tackling by the Georgia Bulldogs had really (began, begun) to show.
9. Suddenly a cloud of dust (rises, raises) in the west.
10. Had the tight end simply (fell, fallen) on the ball, he would have (catched, caught) it.
11. Spillane (led, lead) you to believe that the butler was the murderer.
12. Chris Gilbert had (proved, proven) to be the outstanding player.
13. He said that he could (loose, lose) his fortune, but he had (chose, chosen) to gamble all he
had.
14. The Smiths (use, used) to live in San Francisco.
15. The man was lucky he wasn’t (drown, drowned).
2.6 Clauses
In the following sentences, underline the independent clause and circle the subordinate
(dependent) clause.
1. They agreed to open negotiations when both sides ceased fire.
2. If he had known, he would never have said that.
3. Since the current was swift, he could not swim to shore.
4. The horse came up to the first jump, when he stumbled and threw Jean off.
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5. This is called the cryptozoite stage, after which the plasmodia break out of the liver cells
and float about in the bloodstream.
6. An especially big wave rolled in, when I finally managed to get my line unsnagged.
7. While walking past the building, the night watchman noticed the door was unlocked.
8. Harkey’s injured knee has failed to heal completely; therefore, he may see little action
against Notre Dame on Saturday.
9. The Ace Manufacturing Company, where I used to work, went bankrupt.
10. This last semester, if it has done nothing else, has given me confidence in myself.
Write five correct sentences containing independent and subordinate clauses.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.7 Punctuation 2
In the following sentences, insert the correct punctuation.
1. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen nobody knows but Jesus.
2. The responsible reporter one who is scrupulously honest will still encounter problems.
3. Abraham Lincoln died on April 15 1865 after being shot while attending a play at Fords
Theater.
4. My son was born on Nov 15 1980 It was a Saturday so I didnt get to go to the football
game
5. Why don’t you come over to my place
6. Writing for the mass media takes much skill perseverance and hard work.
7. Wow I couldnt think of any place better to eat myself.
8. According to my professor the world is absolutely positively flat and you should never
forget it.
9. Where are the carpenters where are the bricklayers and most of all where are the
gardeners when we need them the most.
10. I couldnt come to class today Jan said because I had the flu.
11. Joe got a new computer which set his parents back a good bit and hes been dying to tell
everybody about it.
2.8 Word Choice
In the following sentences, fill in the blanks with one of the words that appears in parentheses.
The definitions of many of the words can be found in Appendix C.
1. are good reasons why about to sell house. (there, their, they’re)
and float about in the bloodstream.
6. An especially big wave rolled in, when I finally managed to get my line unsnagged.
7. While walking past the building, the night watchman noticed the door was unlocked.
8. Harkey’s injured knee has failed to heal completely; therefore, he may see little action
against Notre Dame on Saturday.
9. The Ace Manufacturing Company, where I used to work, went bankrupt.
10. This last semester, if it has done nothing else, has given me confidence in myself.
Write five correct sentences containing independent and subordinate clauses.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.7 Punctuation 2
In the following sentences, insert the correct punctuation.
1. Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen nobody knows but Jesus.
2. The responsible reporter one who is scrupulously honest will still encounter problems.
3. Abraham Lincoln died on April 15 1865 after being shot while attending a play at Fords
Theater.
4. My son was born on Nov 15 1980 It was a Saturday so I didnt get to go to the football
game
5. Why don’t you come over to my place
6. Writing for the mass media takes much skill perseverance and hard work.
7. Wow I couldnt think of any place better to eat myself.
8. According to my professor the world is absolutely positively flat and you should never
forget it.
9. Where are the carpenters where are the bricklayers and most of all where are the
gardeners when we need them the most.
10. I couldnt come to class today Jan said because I had the flu.
11. Joe got a new computer which set his parents back a good bit and hes been dying to tell
everybody about it.
2.8 Word Choice
In the following sentences, fill in the blanks with one of the words that appears in parentheses.
The definitions of many of the words can be found in Appendix C.
1. are good reasons why about to sell house. (there, their, they’re)
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2. not late give the cat milk. (its, it’s, to, too)
3. If going home, take books with you. (your, you’re)
4. Do you know the is pleasant ? (whether, weather, there, their, they’re)
5. They known for a long time that you would gone if you had heard the game in time.
(have, of, ’ve)
6. Where are many opinions, most people feel justified in holding on to own; and while
there are several scientific explanations for stubbornness, be few changes unless we can
convince men that they ought to be more open-minded. (there, their, they’re, there’ll)
7. My objection to the of that school is that he is a man of no . (principal, principle)
8. Not until will you be able to tell whether you have more you need. (than, then)
9. If strap is , you may your books. (lose, loose, you’re, your)
10. Not even in the would I the table before eating . (desert, dessert)
11. going to punch nose? (whose, who’s)
12. We the ruling without protest, although we all those over 45. (except, accept)
13. His speech the audience greatly. (affected, effected)
14. 50,000 people attend the opening game of the World Series. (Over, More than)
15. He was always one to do things . (different, differently)
16. The bomb, which was to havoc on the whole block, killed so many people that their
bodies soon began to . (reek, wreak)
17. The news magazine she subscribed to never seemed to tell her all that she needed to
know. (that, which)
18. When he put the book down, he decided that he had just read something very . (unique,
unusual)
19. The of Queen Victoria was a long and prosperous one. (rein, reign)
20. He decided to his bike down to the town square to see if he could the things that he had
made. (peddle, pedal)
21. The priest chose not to the clothes that were spread across the . (alter, altar)
22. We visited the building, where we saw the state legislature in session. (Capital, capital,
Capitol)
23. All of the fraternities on campus came together to form a voting that could not be
overcome by the independent students. (block, bloc)
24. He the poor child’s way of speaking. (flouted, flaunted)
25. The professor tried her best to make the grading system more . (equal, equitable)
26. I did not make it to the movie last night all the homework I had to do. (due to, because of)
27. She was irritated by the tone he used when he said, “And what have you been doing all
week long?” (official, officious)
2.9 Writing Problems
Correct any problems that appear in the following sentences.
1. Gilligan was so charmed by the desert aisle that he decided to marry the movie star.
2. Like that nice Professor said, we should always study for our exams.
3. The cantaloupe-throwing contest was canceled due to averse weather.
3. If going home, take books with you. (your, you’re)
4. Do you know the is pleasant ? (whether, weather, there, their, they’re)
5. They known for a long time that you would gone if you had heard the game in time.
(have, of, ’ve)
6. Where are many opinions, most people feel justified in holding on to own; and while
there are several scientific explanations for stubbornness, be few changes unless we can
convince men that they ought to be more open-minded. (there, their, they’re, there’ll)
7. My objection to the of that school is that he is a man of no . (principal, principle)
8. Not until will you be able to tell whether you have more you need. (than, then)
9. If strap is , you may your books. (lose, loose, you’re, your)
10. Not even in the would I the table before eating . (desert, dessert)
11. going to punch nose? (whose, who’s)
12. We the ruling without protest, although we all those over 45. (except, accept)
13. His speech the audience greatly. (affected, effected)
14. 50,000 people attend the opening game of the World Series. (Over, More than)
15. He was always one to do things . (different, differently)
16. The bomb, which was to havoc on the whole block, killed so many people that their
bodies soon began to . (reek, wreak)
17. The news magazine she subscribed to never seemed to tell her all that she needed to
know. (that, which)
18. When he put the book down, he decided that he had just read something very . (unique,
unusual)
19. The of Queen Victoria was a long and prosperous one. (rein, reign)
20. He decided to his bike down to the town square to see if he could the things that he had
made. (peddle, pedal)
21. The priest chose not to the clothes that were spread across the . (alter, altar)
22. We visited the building, where we saw the state legislature in session. (Capital, capital,
Capitol)
23. All of the fraternities on campus came together to form a voting that could not be
overcome by the independent students. (block, bloc)
24. He the poor child’s way of speaking. (flouted, flaunted)
25. The professor tried her best to make the grading system more . (equal, equitable)
26. I did not make it to the movie last night all the homework I had to do. (due to, because of)
27. She was irritated by the tone he used when he said, “And what have you been doing all
week long?” (official, officious)
2.9 Writing Problems
Correct any problems that appear in the following sentences.
1. Gilligan was so charmed by the desert aisle that he decided to marry the movie star.
2. Like that nice Professor said, we should always study for our exams.
3. The cantaloupe-throwing contest was canceled due to averse weather.
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4. Rushing to the sight of the crime, the prosecuting attorney was horrified at the grizzly
murder scene.
5. The criminal alluded police by hiding under a Toyota Corolla.
6. Faining illness, the President refused to make the trip to Tulsa.
7. Morgan canceled the funeral service after the dead man turned out to be alive.
8. Less than 100 pumpkins were piled in Smith’s car.
9. Hurricane Bubba ravaged the Gulf Coast, causing $10 billion in damages.
10. The dancing troupe refused to buy their tights at wholesale.
11. The restaurant owners upped the price of rutabagas by 100 percent whenever Mark
Arnold came to town.
12. The journalist’s cannon of ethics prohibits taking gifts from sources.
13. Journalists should be guided by one principle: Always be accurate.
2.10 Agreement
In the following sentences, underline the correct word.
1. The team, consisting of three boys and three girls, (has, have) a tough schedule this
season.
2. None of the candidates (has, have) accepted the invitation to the forum.
3. The faculty (has, have) a meeting scheduled for this afternoon to discuss (its, their)
grievances.
4. The drug he took and his lack of sleep (was, were) beginning to have an effect.
5. All of the students in the class tried hard to pass (its, their) final exam.
6. The neighborhood association had certain issues (it, they) wanted to address at the city
council meeting.
7. Every journalist should try to write news stories that are as accurate as (they, he or she)
can make them.
8. The U.S. Supreme Court normally begins (its, their) annual session on the first Monday
of October.
9. Many people in the audience (sees, see) this commercial and (reacts, react) negatively to
it.
10. Each parent had (his or her, their) own way of dealing with unruly children.
2.11 Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences
Make sure that each sentence is punctuated correctly. Make whatever changes are necessary to
do so. If the punctuation is correct, do not make any marks.
1. I don’t know of anyone who went I didn’t go myself.
2. The horses came loping into the barn but there was no food for them.
3. There, I said it again, don’t do that any more.
4. Many are the times the farmer wished he had bought more land because years ago it was
cheap, it was plentiful.
murder scene.
5. The criminal alluded police by hiding under a Toyota Corolla.
6. Faining illness, the President refused to make the trip to Tulsa.
7. Morgan canceled the funeral service after the dead man turned out to be alive.
8. Less than 100 pumpkins were piled in Smith’s car.
9. Hurricane Bubba ravaged the Gulf Coast, causing $10 billion in damages.
10. The dancing troupe refused to buy their tights at wholesale.
11. The restaurant owners upped the price of rutabagas by 100 percent whenever Mark
Arnold came to town.
12. The journalist’s cannon of ethics prohibits taking gifts from sources.
13. Journalists should be guided by one principle: Always be accurate.
2.10 Agreement
In the following sentences, underline the correct word.
1. The team, consisting of three boys and three girls, (has, have) a tough schedule this
season.
2. None of the candidates (has, have) accepted the invitation to the forum.
3. The faculty (has, have) a meeting scheduled for this afternoon to discuss (its, their)
grievances.
4. The drug he took and his lack of sleep (was, were) beginning to have an effect.
5. All of the students in the class tried hard to pass (its, their) final exam.
6. The neighborhood association had certain issues (it, they) wanted to address at the city
council meeting.
7. Every journalist should try to write news stories that are as accurate as (they, he or she)
can make them.
8. The U.S. Supreme Court normally begins (its, their) annual session on the first Monday
of October.
9. Many people in the audience (sees, see) this commercial and (reacts, react) negatively to
it.
10. Each parent had (his or her, their) own way of dealing with unruly children.
2.11 Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences
Make sure that each sentence is punctuated correctly. Make whatever changes are necessary to
do so. If the punctuation is correct, do not make any marks.
1. I don’t know of anyone who went I didn’t go myself.
2. The horses came loping into the barn but there was no food for them.
3. There, I said it again, don’t do that any more.
4. Many are the times the farmer wished he had bought more land because years ago it was
cheap, it was plentiful.
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5. The trees in that forest were doomed, they had to be cut down.
6. The St. Louis Cardinals won the National League pennant, while the New York Yankees
triumphed in the American League; they will meet in this year’s World Series.
7. Where was the truck going, which direction was it heading.
8. He has just finished his seventh mystery novel and he has yet to have one published, he
just keeps on trying.
9. John bought a cheap set of watercolors thinking one day he would be a great painter he
just wanted to be like Picasso.
10. He has an unusual hobby, he transplants trees, but he says he likes doing it because it
gives him a chance to get outside most of the time.
6. The St. Louis Cardinals won the National League pennant, while the New York Yankees
triumphed in the American League; they will meet in this year’s World Series.
7. Where was the truck going, which direction was it heading.
8. He has just finished his seventh mystery novel and he has yet to have one published, he
just keeps on trying.
9. John bought a cheap set of watercolors thinking one day he would be a great painter he
just wanted to be like Picasso.
10. He has an unusual hobby, he transplants trees, but he says he likes doing it because it
gives him a chance to get outside most of the time.
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Chapter 3 Exercises
3.1 AP Style 1
For each of the following sets of items, select the one that is correct according to AP style.
Answers are at the end of the exercise.
1.
a. The cats belong to a woman who lives on Fourth Avenue.
b. The cats belong to a woman who lives on Fourth Ave.
c. The cats belong to a woman who lives on 4th Avenue.
2.
a. December 18, 1994
b. Dec. 18, 1994
c. Dec. 18th, 1994
3.
a. Jim Folsom, governor of Alabama, was late to an election meeting today.
b. Jim Folsom, governor of Ala., was late to an election meeting today.
c. Jim Folsom, gov. of Alabama, was late to an election meeting today.
4.
a. The Mardi Gras parade will be on March 4th this year.
b. The Mardi Gras parade will be on March 4 this year.
c. The Mardi Gras parade will be on Mar. 4 this year.
5.
a. One of my least favorite cities is Muskogee, Oklahoma.
b. One of my least favorite cities is Muskogee, Okla.
c. One of my least favorite cities is Muskogee, OK.
6.
a. The 2-year-old child was the flower girl in their wedding.
b. The two year old child was the flower girl in their wedding.
c. The two-year-old child was the flower girl in their wedding.
7.
a. 11 a.m.
b. 11 a.m.
c. 11 a.m. this morning
8.
a. Did they win the 10 million dollar sweepstakes?
b. Did they win the $10,000,000 sweepstakes?
c. Did they win the $10 million sweepstakes?
9.
a. 1990’s
b. the 90s
c. the ’90s
10.
3.1 AP Style 1
For each of the following sets of items, select the one that is correct according to AP style.
Answers are at the end of the exercise.
1.
a. The cats belong to a woman who lives on Fourth Avenue.
b. The cats belong to a woman who lives on Fourth Ave.
c. The cats belong to a woman who lives on 4th Avenue.
2.
a. December 18, 1994
b. Dec. 18, 1994
c. Dec. 18th, 1994
3.
a. Jim Folsom, governor of Alabama, was late to an election meeting today.
b. Jim Folsom, governor of Ala., was late to an election meeting today.
c. Jim Folsom, gov. of Alabama, was late to an election meeting today.
4.
a. The Mardi Gras parade will be on March 4th this year.
b. The Mardi Gras parade will be on March 4 this year.
c. The Mardi Gras parade will be on Mar. 4 this year.
5.
a. One of my least favorite cities is Muskogee, Oklahoma.
b. One of my least favorite cities is Muskogee, Okla.
c. One of my least favorite cities is Muskogee, OK.
6.
a. The 2-year-old child was the flower girl in their wedding.
b. The two year old child was the flower girl in their wedding.
c. The two-year-old child was the flower girl in their wedding.
7.
a. 11 a.m.
b. 11 a.m.
c. 11 a.m. this morning
8.
a. Did they win the 10 million dollar sweepstakes?
b. Did they win the $10,000,000 sweepstakes?
c. Did they win the $10 million sweepstakes?
9.
a. 1990’s
b. the 90s
c. the ’90s
10.
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a. The university claimed that 55 percent of its population was male.
b. The university claimed that 55% of its population was male.
c. The university claimed that fifty-five percent of its population was male.
11.
a. They drove from Nashville, Tennessee, to Fairhope, Alabama, in less than seven
hours.
b. They drove from Nashville, Tenn., to Fairhope, Ala., in less than seven hours.
c. They drove from Nashville, Tenn. to Fairhope, Ala. in less than seven hours.
12.
a. Pres. Bill Clinton
b. president Bill Clinton
c. President Bill Clinton
13.
a. 42 students went to the museum.
b. Forty two students went to the museum.
c. Forty-two students went to the museum.
14.
a. 5 pounds
b. 5 lbs.
c. five pounds
15.
a. Mrs. Mandy Finklea
b. Mrs. Finklea
c. Mandy Finklea
16.
a. The moving men took the tables, chairs, beds, and couches.
b. The moving men took the tables, chairs, beds and couches.
c. The moving men took the tables; chairs; beds; and couches.
17.
a. the United States
b. the U.S.
c. the united states
i. (Assume that this is used as a noun.)
18.
a. The eight-foot clock was difficult to move.
b. The 8-ft. clock was difficult to move.
c. The 8-foot clock was difficult to move.
19.
a. the College of Communication
b. the college of communication
c. the college of Communication
20.
a. I moved to 1803 4th Ave.
b. I moved to 1803 Fourth Ave.
c. I moved to 1803 Fourth Avenue.
b. The university claimed that 55% of its population was male.
c. The university claimed that fifty-five percent of its population was male.
11.
a. They drove from Nashville, Tennessee, to Fairhope, Alabama, in less than seven
hours.
b. They drove from Nashville, Tenn., to Fairhope, Ala., in less than seven hours.
c. They drove from Nashville, Tenn. to Fairhope, Ala. in less than seven hours.
12.
a. Pres. Bill Clinton
b. president Bill Clinton
c. President Bill Clinton
13.
a. 42 students went to the museum.
b. Forty two students went to the museum.
c. Forty-two students went to the museum.
14.
a. 5 pounds
b. 5 lbs.
c. five pounds
15.
a. Mrs. Mandy Finklea
b. Mrs. Finklea
c. Mandy Finklea
16.
a. The moving men took the tables, chairs, beds, and couches.
b. The moving men took the tables, chairs, beds and couches.
c. The moving men took the tables; chairs; beds; and couches.
17.
a. the United States
b. the U.S.
c. the united states
i. (Assume that this is used as a noun.)
18.
a. The eight-foot clock was difficult to move.
b. The 8-ft. clock was difficult to move.
c. The 8-foot clock was difficult to move.
19.
a. the College of Communication
b. the college of communication
c. the college of Communication
20.
a. I moved to 1803 4th Ave.
b. I moved to 1803 Fourth Ave.
c. I moved to 1803 Fourth Avenue.
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Answers:
1.
a;
2.
b;
3.
a;
4.
b;
5.
b;
6.
a;
7.
a;
8.
c;
9.
c;
10.
a;
11.
b;
1.
a;
2.
b;
3.
a;
4.
b;
5.
b;
6.
a;
7.
a;
8.
c;
9.
c;
10.
a;
11.
b;
Loading page 16...
12.
c;
13.
c;
14.
a;
15.
c;
16.
b;
17.
a;
18.
c;
19.
a;
20.
B
3.2 AP Style 2
For each of the following sets of items, select the one that is correct according to AP style.
Answers are at the end of the exercise.
1.
a. The young man went to the girl’s house and encouraged her to go out with him.
b. The young man went to the girl’s house, and encouraged her to go out with him.
c. The young man went to the girl’s house, encouraged her to go out with him.
c;
13.
c;
14.
a;
15.
c;
16.
b;
17.
a;
18.
c;
19.
a;
20.
B
3.2 AP Style 2
For each of the following sets of items, select the one that is correct according to AP style.
Answers are at the end of the exercise.
1.
a. The young man went to the girl’s house and encouraged her to go out with him.
b. The young man went to the girl’s house, and encouraged her to go out with him.
c. The young man went to the girl’s house, encouraged her to go out with him.
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2.
a. Fob James, Governor of Alabama, began his term in office this week.
b. Fob James, governor of Alabama, began his term in office this week.
c. Fob James, Gov. of Alabama, began his term in office this week.
3.
a. The three foot tall man was the smallest recorded in history.
b. The 3-foot tall man was the smallest recorded in history.
c. The 3 foot tall man was the smallest recorded in history.
4.
a. The politician is affectionately known as John “Crook” Smith.
b. The politician is affectionately known as John (Crook) Smith.
c. The politician is affectionately known as John, Crook, Smith.
5.
a. Spring graduation is set for Saturday, May 13.
b. Spring graduation is set for Sat., May 13.
c. Spring graduation is set for May 13.
6.
a. I went to the store and bought eggs, milk and bread.
b. I went to the store and bought: eggs, milk and bread.
c. I went to the store and bought eggs, milk, and bread.
7.
a. He always reads “USA Today” to prepare for the news quiz.
b. He always reads USA Today to prepare for the news quiz.
c. He always reads USA Today to prepare for the news quiz.
8.
a. The business is based in Birmingham.
b. The business is based in Birmingham, Alabama.
c. The business is based in Birmingham, Ala.
9.
a. She gave a large donation to NOW.
b. She gave a large donation to N.O.W.
c. She gave a large donation to the National Organization for Women.
i. (Assume that this the first reference to the organization.)
10.
a. Smith is the professor for this course.
b. James Smith is the professor for this course.
c. James G. Smith is the professor for this course.
i. (Assume that this is the first reference to the man.)
11.
a. This lab section begins at 10:00 a.m.
b. This lab section begins at 10 a.m.
c. This lab section begins at 10 in the morning.
12.
a. You are enrolled in the department of journalism in the College of
Communication.
a. Fob James, Governor of Alabama, began his term in office this week.
b. Fob James, governor of Alabama, began his term in office this week.
c. Fob James, Gov. of Alabama, began his term in office this week.
3.
a. The three foot tall man was the smallest recorded in history.
b. The 3-foot tall man was the smallest recorded in history.
c. The 3 foot tall man was the smallest recorded in history.
4.
a. The politician is affectionately known as John “Crook” Smith.
b. The politician is affectionately known as John (Crook) Smith.
c. The politician is affectionately known as John, Crook, Smith.
5.
a. Spring graduation is set for Saturday, May 13.
b. Spring graduation is set for Sat., May 13.
c. Spring graduation is set for May 13.
6.
a. I went to the store and bought eggs, milk and bread.
b. I went to the store and bought: eggs, milk and bread.
c. I went to the store and bought eggs, milk, and bread.
7.
a. He always reads “USA Today” to prepare for the news quiz.
b. He always reads USA Today to prepare for the news quiz.
c. He always reads USA Today to prepare for the news quiz.
8.
a. The business is based in Birmingham.
b. The business is based in Birmingham, Alabama.
c. The business is based in Birmingham, Ala.
9.
a. She gave a large donation to NOW.
b. She gave a large donation to N.O.W.
c. She gave a large donation to the National Organization for Women.
i. (Assume that this the first reference to the organization.)
10.
a. Smith is the professor for this course.
b. James Smith is the professor for this course.
c. James G. Smith is the professor for this course.
i. (Assume that this is the first reference to the man.)
11.
a. This lab section begins at 10:00 a.m.
b. This lab section begins at 10 a.m.
c. This lab section begins at 10 in the morning.
12.
a. You are enrolled in the department of journalism in the College of
Communication.
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b. You are enrolled in the department of journalism in the college of
communication.
c. You are enrolled in the department of journalism in the department of
communication.
13.
a. Moby-Dick was Herman Melville’s most famous book.
b. “Moby-Dick” was Herman Melville’s most famous book.
c. Moby-Dick was Herman Melville’s most famous book.
14.
a. One of my least favorite cities is Galesburg, Illinois.
b. One of my least favorite cities is Galesburg, Ill.
c. One of my least favorite cities is Galesburg, IL.
15.
a. One of my favorite cities is Austin, Texas.
b. One of my favorite cities is Austin, Tex.
c. One of my favorite cities is Austin, TX.
16.
a. The store is located on McFarland Boulevard.
b. The store is located on McFarland Boulvd.
c. The store is located on McFarland Blvd.
17.
a. My husband was born on Nov. 26, 1965.
b. My husband was born on November 26, 1965.
c. My husband was born on Mon., November 26, 1965.
18.
a. Last night, Tuscaloosa experienced its first Winter storm.
b. Last night, Tuscaloosa experienced its first winter storm.
c. Last night, Tuscaloosa experienced its first wntr. storm.
19.
a. The store is located at 1520 Main Street.
b. The store is located at 1520 Main Str.
c. The store is located at 1520 Main St.
20.
a. Democrats are supportive of Pres. Clinton.
b. Democrats are supportive of president Clinton.
c. Democrats are supportive of President Clinton.
Answers:
1.
a;
communication.
c. You are enrolled in the department of journalism in the department of
communication.
13.
a. Moby-Dick was Herman Melville’s most famous book.
b. “Moby-Dick” was Herman Melville’s most famous book.
c. Moby-Dick was Herman Melville’s most famous book.
14.
a. One of my least favorite cities is Galesburg, Illinois.
b. One of my least favorite cities is Galesburg, Ill.
c. One of my least favorite cities is Galesburg, IL.
15.
a. One of my favorite cities is Austin, Texas.
b. One of my favorite cities is Austin, Tex.
c. One of my favorite cities is Austin, TX.
16.
a. The store is located on McFarland Boulevard.
b. The store is located on McFarland Boulvd.
c. The store is located on McFarland Blvd.
17.
a. My husband was born on Nov. 26, 1965.
b. My husband was born on November 26, 1965.
c. My husband was born on Mon., November 26, 1965.
18.
a. Last night, Tuscaloosa experienced its first Winter storm.
b. Last night, Tuscaloosa experienced its first winter storm.
c. Last night, Tuscaloosa experienced its first wntr. storm.
19.
a. The store is located at 1520 Main Street.
b. The store is located at 1520 Main Str.
c. The store is located at 1520 Main St.
20.
a. Democrats are supportive of Pres. Clinton.
b. Democrats are supportive of president Clinton.
c. Democrats are supportive of President Clinton.
Answers:
1.
a;
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2.
b;
3.
b;
4.
a;
5.
c;
6.
a;
7.
c;
8.
c;
9.
c;
10.
c;
11.
b;
12.
a;
13.
b;
3.
b;
4.
a;
5.
c;
6.
a;
7.
c;
8.
c;
9.
c;
10.
c;
11.
b;
12.
a;
13.
Loading page 20...
b;
14.
b;
15.
a;
16.
a;
17.
a;
18.
b;
19.
c;
20.
C
3.3 Using the Stylebook 1
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. He was charged with trafficing in drugs.
2. The Rev. Billy Grahm said God was alive and His will would triumph.
3. The flag, which Francis Scott Key saw, has been preserved.
4. life-like, outfielder, inter-racial, IOU’s (plural)
5. Pianoes, nation-wide, P.T.A., Viet-nam War
6. The train will arrive at twelve noon on Tues.
7. The US Census Bureau defines the south as a Seventeen-state region.
8. The judge ruled that because of his oral skills he had entered into a verbal contract.
9. She had an afternoon snack of some Oreo cookies and Coke.
10. harrass, accomodate, weird, likeable
11. Circle the correct form:
14.
b;
15.
a;
16.
a;
17.
a;
18.
b;
19.
c;
20.
C
3.3 Using the Stylebook 1
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. He was charged with trafficing in drugs.
2. The Rev. Billy Grahm said God was alive and His will would triumph.
3. The flag, which Francis Scott Key saw, has been preserved.
4. life-like, outfielder, inter-racial, IOU’s (plural)
5. Pianoes, nation-wide, P.T.A., Viet-nam War
6. The train will arrive at twelve noon on Tues.
7. The US Census Bureau defines the south as a Seventeen-state region.
8. The judge ruled that because of his oral skills he had entered into a verbal contract.
9. She had an afternoon snack of some Oreo cookies and Coke.
10. harrass, accomodate, weird, likeable
11. Circle the correct form:
Loading page 21...
o donut, doughnut
pants suit, pantsuit
plow, plough
U.S. Weather Bureau, National Weather Service
3.4 Using the Stylebook 2
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The defense department is about to propose a new missele system.
2. F.C.C., hitch-hiker, three dollars, 4 million
3. The three most important people in his life are his wife, son, and mother.
4. part-time, 10 year old child, 5 PM, 5300
5. The cardinals won the last game of the world series, 7 to 5.
6. spring (season), fall (season), south (point on compass), south (region)
7. November 15, the last day of Feb., Mar. 16
8. 13 people travelled to Austin, Tex. for the rally.
9. He had ten cents left in his pocket.
10. home-made, well-known, Italian-American, questionnaire
3.5 Using the Stylebook 3
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The U.S. is sometimes not the best market for U.S. products.
2. Circle the correct form:
o upward, upwards
o British (Labour, Labor) Party
o Riverside (Ave., Avenue)
o cupsful, cupfuls
o eying, eyeing
3. The Republican differed from the democrat many times during the debate.
4. Dr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Wilson performed the operations.
5. Circle the correct form:
o good will, goodwill (noun)
o USS Eisenhower, U.S.S. Eisenhower
o cigaret, cigarette
o midAmerica, mid-America
6. He said he was neither a Communist or a member of the Communist Party.
7. After her surgery, she had to wear a Pacemaker.
8. “What a hair-brained scheme!” she exclaimed.
pants suit, pantsuit
plow, plough
U.S. Weather Bureau, National Weather Service
3.4 Using the Stylebook 2
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The defense department is about to propose a new missele system.
2. F.C.C., hitch-hiker, three dollars, 4 million
3. The three most important people in his life are his wife, son, and mother.
4. part-time, 10 year old child, 5 PM, 5300
5. The cardinals won the last game of the world series, 7 to 5.
6. spring (season), fall (season), south (point on compass), south (region)
7. November 15, the last day of Feb., Mar. 16
8. 13 people travelled to Austin, Tex. for the rally.
9. He had ten cents left in his pocket.
10. home-made, well-known, Italian-American, questionnaire
3.5 Using the Stylebook 3
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The U.S. is sometimes not the best market for U.S. products.
2. Circle the correct form:
o upward, upwards
o British (Labour, Labor) Party
o Riverside (Ave., Avenue)
o cupsful, cupfuls
o eying, eyeing
3. The Republican differed from the democrat many times during the debate.
4. Dr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Wilson performed the operations.
5. Circle the correct form:
o good will, goodwill (noun)
o USS Eisenhower, U.S.S. Eisenhower
o cigaret, cigarette
o midAmerica, mid-America
6. He said he was neither a Communist or a member of the Communist Party.
7. After her surgery, she had to wear a Pacemaker.
8. “What a hair-brained scheme!” she exclaimed.
Loading page 22...
9. preempt, speed-up (noun), 55 miles per hour, hookey
10. The underworld, or mafia, was responsible for the murder.
3.6 Using the Stylebook 4
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The first annual rutabaga eating contest was canceled because of averse weather.
2. Its not alright to drink an access of beer before going to the football game.
3. Like Einstein said, all knowledge is relative.
4. The state capital of LA is located at 3722 Dagwood Rd.
5. The Mayor refused to go along with the City Council vote. “I descent,” he stated.
6. Madonna certainly has a flare for fashion; she always wears expensive outfits.
7. The bomb totally destroyed Senator Kitsmoot’s bird cage.
8. My bright-green Chevrolet which is in the garage needs a new transmission.
9. Knopke’s hilarious joke illicited laughter from the Midville city council.
10. Jones laid on the floor waiting for the job interview to begin.
11. Horowitz, an ethics major, vowed never to compromise his principals.
12. At the end of the book report, Haynes sited the World Book as a source.
3.7 Using the Stylebook 5
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The twenty-five-year-old man wept as he left Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
2. This November 10th will mark our anniversary.
3. Don’t park the car on Rodeo Dr. Instead, park it at 12 Davies Street.
4. They spent 130 dollars to buy a new set of nose rings.
5. Smoots moved to the North because the people there are so nice.
6. At 7 p.m. this evening, the rodeo will begin in the Town Square.
7. Yesterday, the Terrorists blew up their home at 123 Melrose St.
8. 22 seamstresses were needed to mend the prom dresses.
9. About 5 percent of the professors have lost their hair.
10. After 2 feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Jones decided to leave.
11. Miss Smith bet fifty dollars that her brother weighed more than a 1964 Chevy.
12. John Smith, the Governor of Calif., set his trailer on fire September 1.
13. A fire began at 3325 McDonald Dr. when an oven full of rutabagas exploded.
14. During the 1970’s, everyone wore bell-bottom blue jeans to church.
3.8 Using the Stylebook 6
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
10. The underworld, or mafia, was responsible for the murder.
3.6 Using the Stylebook 4
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The first annual rutabaga eating contest was canceled because of averse weather.
2. Its not alright to drink an access of beer before going to the football game.
3. Like Einstein said, all knowledge is relative.
4. The state capital of LA is located at 3722 Dagwood Rd.
5. The Mayor refused to go along with the City Council vote. “I descent,” he stated.
6. Madonna certainly has a flare for fashion; she always wears expensive outfits.
7. The bomb totally destroyed Senator Kitsmoot’s bird cage.
8. My bright-green Chevrolet which is in the garage needs a new transmission.
9. Knopke’s hilarious joke illicited laughter from the Midville city council.
10. Jones laid on the floor waiting for the job interview to begin.
11. Horowitz, an ethics major, vowed never to compromise his principals.
12. At the end of the book report, Haynes sited the World Book as a source.
3.7 Using the Stylebook 5
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. The twenty-five-year-old man wept as he left Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
2. This November 10th will mark our anniversary.
3. Don’t park the car on Rodeo Dr. Instead, park it at 12 Davies Street.
4. They spent 130 dollars to buy a new set of nose rings.
5. Smoots moved to the North because the people there are so nice.
6. At 7 p.m. this evening, the rodeo will begin in the Town Square.
7. Yesterday, the Terrorists blew up their home at 123 Melrose St.
8. 22 seamstresses were needed to mend the prom dresses.
9. About 5 percent of the professors have lost their hair.
10. After 2 feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Jones decided to leave.
11. Miss Smith bet fifty dollars that her brother weighed more than a 1964 Chevy.
12. John Smith, the Governor of Calif., set his trailer on fire September 1.
13. A fire began at 3325 McDonald Dr. when an oven full of rutabagas exploded.
14. During the 1970’s, everyone wore bell-bottom blue jeans to church.
3.8 Using the Stylebook 6
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
Loading page 23...
1. In Aug. 1985, Davies rented a rutabaga stand in Augusta, Georgia.
2. Pomerantz tied the beehive to Senator Gramm’s cowboy hat.
3. About 1200 easter rabbits were killed in the explosion at Big Dave’s Bunny Warehouse,
located at 2525 Hackensack Drive.
4. In the 1980’s, Davies left the Midwest and moved to the Loire Valley in France.
5. Smoots brought two cups of coffee to the Governor.
6. About eight percent of the cantaloupes have been stuffed with rutabagas.
7. Jones bet 40 dollars that his roommate had hidden the sandwich.
8. The 3 university professors share a house at 613 25th Avenue.
9. After 2 feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Davies decided to leave the
midwest and move to the South.
10. On December 11th, all classes will be canceled.
11. Yesterday morning, the Mayor skipped her aerobics class.
12. Davies drove 2,000,000 miles in his old Toyota Corolla before it blew up.
13. Doctor Kildare said he had filed a malpractice suit against Marcus Welby.
14. At eight p.m. in the evening, Governor Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas will give a short
speech in front of the Gorgas library.
3.9 Using the Stylebook 7
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. Estalene Smoots dropped her french class the 1st day of school.
2. Sadie Hoots won 3,200,000 dollars on Wheel of Fortune.
3. Frustrated that their professor required them to eat fried rutabagas, the students walked
out of class at 9 a.m. this morning.
4. The office manager had twenty-one plants, sixty-two cats and two puppies.
5. President Aubrey Lucas is originally from Compton, California.
6. On October 25th, Ruth Ann Bobetski will turn 41.
7. Goober Hicks lives at 10 West Hardy St. He used to live in a run down shack at 2803
Williamsburg Rd.
8. Abby gave birth to a nine pound baby boy.
9. The President invited me to dinner at the white house, but I could not fit it into my
schedule.
10. Senator Davies said his earnings had increased 10% in the 1980’s.
11. Barney the dinosaur will be executed on Tuesday, November 2.
12. 25 vagabonds attacked me from behind in front of the hub.
13. Miss Snarkle found a 10 inch bug crawling in her spaghetti. “Great! Now I won’t need
seconds”, she exclaimed.
14. All the men in the R.O.T.C. chapter wore red, white, and blue pantyhose to class in Jan.
1991.
15. The Bay City baseball team lost their final game two to one and climbed dejectedly back
onto their bus.
2. Pomerantz tied the beehive to Senator Gramm’s cowboy hat.
3. About 1200 easter rabbits were killed in the explosion at Big Dave’s Bunny Warehouse,
located at 2525 Hackensack Drive.
4. In the 1980’s, Davies left the Midwest and moved to the Loire Valley in France.
5. Smoots brought two cups of coffee to the Governor.
6. About eight percent of the cantaloupes have been stuffed with rutabagas.
7. Jones bet 40 dollars that his roommate had hidden the sandwich.
8. The 3 university professors share a house at 613 25th Avenue.
9. After 2 feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Davies decided to leave the
midwest and move to the South.
10. On December 11th, all classes will be canceled.
11. Yesterday morning, the Mayor skipped her aerobics class.
12. Davies drove 2,000,000 miles in his old Toyota Corolla before it blew up.
13. Doctor Kildare said he had filed a malpractice suit against Marcus Welby.
14. At eight p.m. in the evening, Governor Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas will give a short
speech in front of the Gorgas library.
3.9 Using the Stylebook 7
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. Estalene Smoots dropped her french class the 1st day of school.
2. Sadie Hoots won 3,200,000 dollars on Wheel of Fortune.
3. Frustrated that their professor required them to eat fried rutabagas, the students walked
out of class at 9 a.m. this morning.
4. The office manager had twenty-one plants, sixty-two cats and two puppies.
5. President Aubrey Lucas is originally from Compton, California.
6. On October 25th, Ruth Ann Bobetski will turn 41.
7. Goober Hicks lives at 10 West Hardy St. He used to live in a run down shack at 2803
Williamsburg Rd.
8. Abby gave birth to a nine pound baby boy.
9. The President invited me to dinner at the white house, but I could not fit it into my
schedule.
10. Senator Davies said his earnings had increased 10% in the 1980’s.
11. Barney the dinosaur will be executed on Tuesday, November 2.
12. 25 vagabonds attacked me from behind in front of the hub.
13. Miss Snarkle found a 10 inch bug crawling in her spaghetti. “Great! Now I won’t need
seconds”, she exclaimed.
14. All the men in the R.O.T.C. chapter wore red, white, and blue pantyhose to class in Jan.
1991.
15. The Bay City baseball team lost their final game two to one and climbed dejectedly back
onto their bus.
Loading page 24...
3.10 Using the Stylebook 8
Using the AP Stylebook, answer the questions or correct the following sentences or phrases.
1. What is the acceptable form of abbreviation for miles per hour?
2. What is the difference between civil and criminal cases?
3. Correct this sentence: The eye witness found himself in an eye to eye confrontation.
4. If GMT is used on second reference, what must accompany it?
5. When do you capitalize grand jury?
6. Which is correct: Scene two, Scene 2, scene two or scene 2?
7. Correct the spelling of “cuetips.”
8. Which one of these refers to the building where government resides: capital, Capital or
capitol?
9. What use of the term working class needs a hyphen?
10. Which term is correct: Christian Science Church or Church of Christian Scientists?
3.11 Using the Stylebook 9
Using the AP Stylebook, answer the questions or correct the following sentences or phrases.
1. The United States (constitutes, composes, comprises) 50 states.
2. How would you write “In the year of the Lord 33”?
3. What is the correct title for Russian leaders before 1914?
4. What is an acceptable abbreviation for the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II?
5. Which of the following is incorrect: court-martials or cupfuls?
6. What is the long name for the machinists’ union?
7. How should the term NROTC be used correctly in journalism?
8. Which of the following is not an acceptable term for the journalist to apply to a religious
group: evangelical, Pentecostal or liberal?
9. Which of these words has to do with flowing water: pour or pore?
10. Where are the headquarters for Delta Airlines?
3.12 Using the Stylebook 10
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. His solution turned out to be the most equal of the two.
2. Ga. Sec. of State George Smith testified at the Congressional hearing.
3. tis, the Gay 1890’s, a South America country, 1492 A. D.
4. Write the plurals for the following words: Eskimo, ; chili, ; memorandum, ; ski, .
5. The ballif opened the court by saying, “Oyes, oyes, oyes!”
6. He spread out his palate and went to sleep.
7. carry-over (adjective), nitty-gritty, nit-picking, know-how
Using the AP Stylebook, answer the questions or correct the following sentences or phrases.
1. What is the acceptable form of abbreviation for miles per hour?
2. What is the difference between civil and criminal cases?
3. Correct this sentence: The eye witness found himself in an eye to eye confrontation.
4. If GMT is used on second reference, what must accompany it?
5. When do you capitalize grand jury?
6. Which is correct: Scene two, Scene 2, scene two or scene 2?
7. Correct the spelling of “cuetips.”
8. Which one of these refers to the building where government resides: capital, Capital or
capitol?
9. What use of the term working class needs a hyphen?
10. Which term is correct: Christian Science Church or Church of Christian Scientists?
3.11 Using the Stylebook 9
Using the AP Stylebook, answer the questions or correct the following sentences or phrases.
1. The United States (constitutes, composes, comprises) 50 states.
2. How would you write “In the year of the Lord 33”?
3. What is the correct title for Russian leaders before 1914?
4. What is an acceptable abbreviation for the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II?
5. Which of the following is incorrect: court-martials or cupfuls?
6. What is the long name for the machinists’ union?
7. How should the term NROTC be used correctly in journalism?
8. Which of the following is not an acceptable term for the journalist to apply to a religious
group: evangelical, Pentecostal or liberal?
9. Which of these words has to do with flowing water: pour or pore?
10. Where are the headquarters for Delta Airlines?
3.12 Using the Stylebook 10
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. His solution turned out to be the most equal of the two.
2. Ga. Sec. of State George Smith testified at the Congressional hearing.
3. tis, the Gay 1890’s, a South America country, 1492 A. D.
4. Write the plurals for the following words: Eskimo, ; chili, ; memorandum, ; ski, .
5. The ballif opened the court by saying, “Oyes, oyes, oyes!”
6. He spread out his palate and went to sleep.
7. carry-over (adjective), nitty-gritty, nit-picking, know-how
Loading page 25...
8. What do the following abbreviations stand for? Which, if any, of these abbreviations is
acceptable for first reference?
o USIA
o GOP
o EST
o TVA
9. The pan had a teflon surface.
10. He was graduated from a teacher’s college in the north.
3.13 Using the Stylebook 11
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. Write the plurals for the following words: referendum, ; court martial, ; 1920, ; dead
end, .
2. Daylight savings time begins on the last Sun. in April.
3. He made the Dean’s List after Dean Smith talked to him.
4. The game, that was scheduled for to-night, was rained out.
5. He said the car would go further on premium gas.
6. The movie which starred Sam Jones received an r rating.
7. He had run the gauntlet of criticism and abuse for his views.
8. The woman who the article referred to was a German Jewess.
9. judgement, naval orange, resistible, self-defense
10. He played semi-pro baseball for 3 years.
3.14 Using the Stylebook 12
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Baseball Game
The Bay City Bluebirds rallied from a 3-run defict last night to defeat the Carmel Cardinals 6–3
and win the Western Tri-state division championship.
The bluebirds are now assured a place int eh Tri-state playoffs which begin next week. Their
opponent will be determined tonight in a game between the Santa Ana Gnerals and the Redwood
Knights.
The cardinals led the bluebirds for most of the game, and they hasa 3–0 lead in the eighth inniny.
acceptable for first reference?
o USIA
o GOP
o EST
o TVA
9. The pan had a teflon surface.
10. He was graduated from a teacher’s college in the north.
3.13 Using the Stylebook 11
Correct the following items to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary.
1. Write the plurals for the following words: referendum, ; court martial, ; 1920, ; dead
end, .
2. Daylight savings time begins on the last Sun. in April.
3. He made the Dean’s List after Dean Smith talked to him.
4. The game, that was scheduled for to-night, was rained out.
5. He said the car would go further on premium gas.
6. The movie which starred Sam Jones received an r rating.
7. He had run the gauntlet of criticism and abuse for his views.
8. The woman who the article referred to was a German Jewess.
9. judgement, naval orange, resistible, self-defense
10. He played semi-pro baseball for 3 years.
3.14 Using the Stylebook 12
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Baseball Game
The Bay City Bluebirds rallied from a 3-run defict last night to defeat the Carmel Cardinals 6–3
and win the Western Tri-state division championship.
The bluebirds are now assured a place int eh Tri-state playoffs which begin next week. Their
opponent will be determined tonight in a game between the Santa Ana Gnerals and the Redwood
Knights.
The cardinals led the bluebirds for most of the game, and they hasa 3–0 lead in the eighth inniny.
Loading page 26...
In the bluebird hafl of the eighth, Tim Story, the first baseman, walked and stole second. Left
fielder Biff Carbosi was walked intensionally, and both runner moved up a base on a wild pitch
by cardinal started ronnie Miller. Miller was then relieved by Chuck Nelson.
Bluebird secondbaseman Carbo Garbey lined Nelson’s first pitch into deep centefield, scoring
both baserunners. Two pitches later, Garbey stole home to tie the game.
Nelson got the next 2 hitters out, but then Carey Clark, the bluebird catcher, homered to put the
bluebirds ahead. The bluebirds added two more runs in the ninth to insure their victory.
3.15 Using the Stylebook 13
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Guilty Verdict
A jury found a Midville man guilty of Second-Degree Manslaughter after an hour’s worth of
deliberations on Tuesday.
Johnny Gene Garber was convicted at the end of a 3-day trial which featured his mother
testifying against him. He was charged in the death of a thirty-nine year old brickmason, Gardner
Jackson, of Number Twelve, Ninth Street in Jonesville.
Mr. Garber stood sliently as the jury read the verdict. The Presiding Judge, Jonas T. McMillan,
set a sentencing hearing for next Monday at eight o’clock in the morning.
Garber was charged with being druck while driving down highway 69 last March. His car served
out of control and ran head on into a car driven by Mr. Jackson, who had been attending services
at the Midville Baptist church.
During the trial, the Prosecution Attory, Able Sasson, called Garber’s mother, Mrs. Minnie Lee
Garber, to testify that her son had been drinking heavily at there home that evening before the
accident occured.
Garber could recieve a sentence of two to five years in prison for the crime he committed.
3.16 Using the Stylebook 14
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
fielder Biff Carbosi was walked intensionally, and both runner moved up a base on a wild pitch
by cardinal started ronnie Miller. Miller was then relieved by Chuck Nelson.
Bluebird secondbaseman Carbo Garbey lined Nelson’s first pitch into deep centefield, scoring
both baserunners. Two pitches later, Garbey stole home to tie the game.
Nelson got the next 2 hitters out, but then Carey Clark, the bluebird catcher, homered to put the
bluebirds ahead. The bluebirds added two more runs in the ninth to insure their victory.
3.15 Using the Stylebook 13
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Guilty Verdict
A jury found a Midville man guilty of Second-Degree Manslaughter after an hour’s worth of
deliberations on Tuesday.
Johnny Gene Garber was convicted at the end of a 3-day trial which featured his mother
testifying against him. He was charged in the death of a thirty-nine year old brickmason, Gardner
Jackson, of Number Twelve, Ninth Street in Jonesville.
Mr. Garber stood sliently as the jury read the verdict. The Presiding Judge, Jonas T. McMillan,
set a sentencing hearing for next Monday at eight o’clock in the morning.
Garber was charged with being druck while driving down highway 69 last March. His car served
out of control and ran head on into a car driven by Mr. Jackson, who had been attending services
at the Midville Baptist church.
During the trial, the Prosecution Attory, Able Sasson, called Garber’s mother, Mrs. Minnie Lee
Garber, to testify that her son had been drinking heavily at there home that evening before the
accident occured.
Garber could recieve a sentence of two to five years in prison for the crime he committed.
3.16 Using the Stylebook 14
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Loading page 27...
City Council
The city council passed an ordinance last night requireing people convicted of their second drunk
charge to serve a minimum of thirty days in jail and to have their driver’s license suspended for
six months.
The ordinance was passed by a vote of five to three. Councilman Clarissa Atwell sponsored the
change in the law which wil take effect on December 31st of this year.
“I think this new law will save the lives of a lot of people, Miss Atwell said.
The council chamber was filled to overflowing with people interested in the law. Many of the
people there were members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.)
One Councilamn who voted against law, Les Honeycutt, said he felt the laws against drunk
driving were strong enough and that they needed to be inforced for rigidly. His comments
received hoots and jeers from the crowd, and at one point the council president, Harley Sanders,
trhreatened to have some of the audience removed and evicted.
3.17 Using the Stylebook 15
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Power Failure
Power was cut off to nearly a 3rd of the residents of Midville, last night, after a violent storm
ripped through the city around six o’clock.
Police chief Robert Dye said that power was restored to most homes within about two hours, but
“a substantial number of people,” had to go without power for most of the night.
Chief Dye said that many of the city’s traffic lights were knocked out by the storm, and traffick
problems developed on several of the more busy streets.
Chief dye says that everything should be back to normal today.
A Power company official said that more than 1500 homes were without electricity for some part
of the night. They said that crews worked throughout the entire night to get people’s power
turned on.
The storm dumped over 2 inches of rain on the city in about 30 minutes. The power failure was
due to lighting hitting one of the power companys substations in the Western part of the city.
The city council passed an ordinance last night requireing people convicted of their second drunk
charge to serve a minimum of thirty days in jail and to have their driver’s license suspended for
six months.
The ordinance was passed by a vote of five to three. Councilman Clarissa Atwell sponsored the
change in the law which wil take effect on December 31st of this year.
“I think this new law will save the lives of a lot of people, Miss Atwell said.
The council chamber was filled to overflowing with people interested in the law. Many of the
people there were members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.)
One Councilamn who voted against law, Les Honeycutt, said he felt the laws against drunk
driving were strong enough and that they needed to be inforced for rigidly. His comments
received hoots and jeers from the crowd, and at one point the council president, Harley Sanders,
trhreatened to have some of the audience removed and evicted.
3.17 Using the Stylebook 15
Correct the following story to conform to AP style and a standard dictionary. The story contains
errors other than style errors that you will need to correct.
Power Failure
Power was cut off to nearly a 3rd of the residents of Midville, last night, after a violent storm
ripped through the city around six o’clock.
Police chief Robert Dye said that power was restored to most homes within about two hours, but
“a substantial number of people,” had to go without power for most of the night.
Chief Dye said that many of the city’s traffic lights were knocked out by the storm, and traffick
problems developed on several of the more busy streets.
Chief dye says that everything should be back to normal today.
A Power company official said that more than 1500 homes were without electricity for some part
of the night. They said that crews worked throughout the entire night to get people’s power
turned on.
The storm dumped over 2 inches of rain on the city in about 30 minutes. The power failure was
due to lighting hitting one of the power companys substations in the Western part of the city.
Loading page 28...
3.18 Writing Problems
Before beginning this exercise, review the discussion of writing problems and principles in this
chapter. The following sentences contain a variety of problems, such as wordiness, jargon,
clichés, redundancies, and errors in AP style. Edit or rewrite them as necessary.
1. The coach is noted for and has the reputation for welcoming back players, who, he says
in his own words, he “didn’t want to give up on” and whom just happened to have game
breaking talent.
2. Over a year after the zoo bought her for the price of $500,000, Ruby the elephant still
cannot be in full physical contact with the two other African elephants that the zoo has
acquired.
3. The five officers were fired Monday night after the sheriff and the chief deputy reviewed
the preliminary findings of a state investigator’s report into the illegal abuse and
unjustified incarceration of suspects in a drug raid.
4. Ezer is a parrot of a South Asian variety that the Humane Society is trying to put up for
adoption and find a good home for. The society said a man offered to adopt Ezer last
week but that he was a long distance truck driver. They did not feel his home would be
suitable for Ezer’s need because of the strain and confinement.
5. The mayor said the city lacked the necessary monetary resources and revenue to
construct a new facility that could house many of the services that it offered to the public.
These services include the offices for business license renewals and rezoning petitions.
6. Musick was the second person to plead guilty since an indictment was handed up in the
case during the month of March. He is charged with being part of a conspiracy that
bought dozens of kilograms of cocaine into the area over the course of a roughly two year
period.
7. A traffic department official surmised that the closure of the parkway caused a great deal
of inconvenience to local residents and visitors, particularly during the last two months
which is the height of the tourist season. He said he was glad all that is behind us.
8. The day after county commissioners received their first form look at the long-term needs
study, county officials hashed out jail issues in an effort to reach consensus on what
actions the county should take and the direction it should be heading.
9. Smith offered that he had built up his mom-and-pop family business, which originally
started as a diner when Binfield Road was unpaved and is now listed as a four-star
restaurant, into a thriving business.
10. Better salaries, retirement benefits and educational opportunities are among incentives
that might help stem the tide, defense officials said as they met with lawmakers to discuss
ways to keep forces who have become so crucial to the war on terror.
Before beginning this exercise, review the discussion of writing problems and principles in this
chapter. The following sentences contain a variety of problems, such as wordiness, jargon,
clichés, redundancies, and errors in AP style. Edit or rewrite them as necessary.
1. The coach is noted for and has the reputation for welcoming back players, who, he says
in his own words, he “didn’t want to give up on” and whom just happened to have game
breaking talent.
2. Over a year after the zoo bought her for the price of $500,000, Ruby the elephant still
cannot be in full physical contact with the two other African elephants that the zoo has
acquired.
3. The five officers were fired Monday night after the sheriff and the chief deputy reviewed
the preliminary findings of a state investigator’s report into the illegal abuse and
unjustified incarceration of suspects in a drug raid.
4. Ezer is a parrot of a South Asian variety that the Humane Society is trying to put up for
adoption and find a good home for. The society said a man offered to adopt Ezer last
week but that he was a long distance truck driver. They did not feel his home would be
suitable for Ezer’s need because of the strain and confinement.
5. The mayor said the city lacked the necessary monetary resources and revenue to
construct a new facility that could house many of the services that it offered to the public.
These services include the offices for business license renewals and rezoning petitions.
6. Musick was the second person to plead guilty since an indictment was handed up in the
case during the month of March. He is charged with being part of a conspiracy that
bought dozens of kilograms of cocaine into the area over the course of a roughly two year
period.
7. A traffic department official surmised that the closure of the parkway caused a great deal
of inconvenience to local residents and visitors, particularly during the last two months
which is the height of the tourist season. He said he was glad all that is behind us.
8. The day after county commissioners received their first form look at the long-term needs
study, county officials hashed out jail issues in an effort to reach consensus on what
actions the county should take and the direction it should be heading.
9. Smith offered that he had built up his mom-and-pop family business, which originally
started as a diner when Binfield Road was unpaved and is now listed as a four-star
restaurant, into a thriving business.
10. Better salaries, retirement benefits and educational opportunities are among incentives
that might help stem the tide, defense officials said as they met with lawmakers to discuss
ways to keep forces who have become so crucial to the war on terror.
Loading page 29...
Chapter 4 Exercises
4.1 Plagiarism
Write a 250- to 300-word essay on plagiarism. Use as your sources the following websites on
plagiarism:
Avoiding Plagiarism (Purdue University)
Academic writing in American institutions is filled with rules that writers often don’t know how
to follow. A working knowledge of these rules, however, is critically important; inadvertent
mistakes can lead to charges of plagiarism, or the unacknowledged use of somebody else’s
words or ideas. While other cultures may not insist so heavily on documenting sources,
American institutions do. A charge of plagiarism can have severe consequences, including
expulsion from the university. (www.depauw.edu/files/resources/avoiding-plagiarism.pdf)
Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Recognize and Avoid It (Indiana University)
In college courses, we are continually engaged with other people’s ideas: we read them in texts,
hear them in lecture, discuss them in class, and incorporate them into our own writing. As a
result, it is very important that we give credit where it is due. Plagiarism is using others’ ideas
and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information.
(www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml)
Your essay should demonstrate that you understand the major concepts that the articles discuss.
The essay will also demonstrate your ability to present information clearly and coherently and to
put together information from different sources (without plagiarizing, of course).
You may bring these articles with you to your lab session and use them in writing your essay. If
you quote directly from any of the articles, you should put the name of the university and page
number of the quoted passage in parentheses immediately after the quotation. You should not
quote directly more than two or three times in the essay. This should be in your own words.
Follow your instructor’s guidelines for referencing or footnoting for this essay, but you will need
to turn in your copies of the articles along with your essay. You may use only these two articles
as references for your essay.
4.2 Planning an Interview
Plan an interview with the mayor of your city. First, you will need to decide the central reason
why you want to conduct the interview. It could be that there is some issue currently facing the
city that you will want to build your story around. If no such issue exists, you may want to talk to
the mayor about what it is like to be mayor—duties, responsibilities, daily schedule, and so on.
4.1 Plagiarism
Write a 250- to 300-word essay on plagiarism. Use as your sources the following websites on
plagiarism:
Avoiding Plagiarism (Purdue University)
Academic writing in American institutions is filled with rules that writers often don’t know how
to follow. A working knowledge of these rules, however, is critically important; inadvertent
mistakes can lead to charges of plagiarism, or the unacknowledged use of somebody else’s
words or ideas. While other cultures may not insist so heavily on documenting sources,
American institutions do. A charge of plagiarism can have severe consequences, including
expulsion from the university. (www.depauw.edu/files/resources/avoiding-plagiarism.pdf)
Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Recognize and Avoid It (Indiana University)
In college courses, we are continually engaged with other people’s ideas: we read them in texts,
hear them in lecture, discuss them in class, and incorporate them into our own writing. As a
result, it is very important that we give credit where it is due. Plagiarism is using others’ ideas
and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information.
(www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml)
Your essay should demonstrate that you understand the major concepts that the articles discuss.
The essay will also demonstrate your ability to present information clearly and coherently and to
put together information from different sources (without plagiarizing, of course).
You may bring these articles with you to your lab session and use them in writing your essay. If
you quote directly from any of the articles, you should put the name of the university and page
number of the quoted passage in parentheses immediately after the quotation. You should not
quote directly more than two or three times in the essay. This should be in your own words.
Follow your instructor’s guidelines for referencing or footnoting for this essay, but you will need
to turn in your copies of the articles along with your essay. You may use only these two articles
as references for your essay.
4.2 Planning an Interview
Plan an interview with the mayor of your city. First, you will need to decide the central reason
why you want to conduct the interview. It could be that there is some issue currently facing the
city that you will want to build your story around. If no such issue exists, you may want to talk to
the mayor about what it is like to be mayor—duties, responsibilities, daily schedule, and so on.
Loading page 30...
Or you may want to do a personality profile on the mayor, asking about family, friends,
recreation, and so on.
Once you have decided what the interview is to be about, what background research will you
have to do? How will you go about getting the information you need? Be specific about what
information you will need and where you can get it.
Finally, formulate a list of tentative questions that you will want to ask during the interview. This
list of questions should be in the approximate order of how you would like to ask the questions.
Review the section on interviewing for ideas about the types of questions to ask and the order in
which to ask them.
4.3 Paraphrasing
Rewrite the following by paraphrasing the direct quotations. Make what you write no more than
half the length of the original quotation. Try to include most of the information that is in the
quotation. The first quotation has been paraphrased to give you an example of what is expected.
Example
Tom Nelson, president of the citywide Parent Teachers Association: “Our major concern this
year will be security in the schools, particularly in the high schools. We will be working with
school officials on ways we can help create a safer environment for the education of our
children. A number of incidents in the past year have been very disturbing to many parents. We
are going to try to provide a way for those parents to make a real difference in their local
schools.”
Paraphrase
Tom Nelson, president of the city Parent Teachers Association, said that the chief concern of the
organization this year would be security, particularly in the high schools. Nelson said parents
would be working with school officials to make the schools safer.
Quotation 1
Martin Goldsmith, general manager of the local public radio station: “Our goal in this year’s
fund-raising effort is to raise $100,000, which will be about 15 percent more than we raised last
year. The money we are seeking—this $100,000—will go toward our programming efforts. We
spent about $130,000 buying programs each year for the station, and those costs are going up
each year. There is a lot that our audience would like to have on the station, and this is the way
for them to help pay for it.”
recreation, and so on.
Once you have decided what the interview is to be about, what background research will you
have to do? How will you go about getting the information you need? Be specific about what
information you will need and where you can get it.
Finally, formulate a list of tentative questions that you will want to ask during the interview. This
list of questions should be in the approximate order of how you would like to ask the questions.
Review the section on interviewing for ideas about the types of questions to ask and the order in
which to ask them.
4.3 Paraphrasing
Rewrite the following by paraphrasing the direct quotations. Make what you write no more than
half the length of the original quotation. Try to include most of the information that is in the
quotation. The first quotation has been paraphrased to give you an example of what is expected.
Example
Tom Nelson, president of the citywide Parent Teachers Association: “Our major concern this
year will be security in the schools, particularly in the high schools. We will be working with
school officials on ways we can help create a safer environment for the education of our
children. A number of incidents in the past year have been very disturbing to many parents. We
are going to try to provide a way for those parents to make a real difference in their local
schools.”
Paraphrase
Tom Nelson, president of the city Parent Teachers Association, said that the chief concern of the
organization this year would be security, particularly in the high schools. Nelson said parents
would be working with school officials to make the schools safer.
Quotation 1
Martin Goldsmith, general manager of the local public radio station: “Our goal in this year’s
fund-raising effort is to raise $100,000, which will be about 15 percent more than we raised last
year. The money we are seeking—this $100,000—will go toward our programming efforts. We
spent about $130,000 buying programs each year for the station, and those costs are going up
each year. There is a lot that our audience would like to have on the station, and this is the way
for them to help pay for it.”
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