Introduction
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i$q It is difficult to identify errors in your own written work, but if you can leave 3 or 4 minutes at the end of the test to perform a careful rereading of each task, you will almost certainly be able to find and correct some.
:Vg,[\I{ Common errors
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Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
w*?JW Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
F[lHG,g- Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
&wJ"9pQ~6E Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
Kxg09\5i Punctuation
\(Iy>L. Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
Gc>\L3u End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
yuND0,e Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
E @7! : Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
oD.f/hi0| Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
)|:| .`H This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
E 0YXgQa http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. PpbW+}aCF Subject-Verb Agreement
Ig VxWh# Check every subject and verb to make sure that if you have used a singular subject, you have also used a singular verb. Similarly, a plural subject needs a plural verb. Pay extra care to add an 's' to present simple tense verbs in the 3rd person singular.
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Y e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
yd2ouCUV Sentence Length
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_ gMJ\{ Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
X{)M}WO+r Break long sentences into shorter units.
}hGbF"clqg If too short, perhaps you could link them using a conjunction or other transitional device, but do not overdo this (e.g. by starting nearly every sentence with a linking word.)
Ls9G:>'rR Cohesion (sentences)
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A + Ensure that each sentence follows clearly and logically from the one before it. Note that it is not necessary to keep all sentences the same length; sentences of different lengths in each paragraph makes for a more interesting writing style.
ztf (.~ Cohesion (paragraphs)
EP yFM_k Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
En 1pz\' Paragraphs should be around 4 -5 sentences long. Task one will probably contain 2-3 paragraphs, task two, 4 - 5. Try to use the last sentence to connect in some way with the paragraph after, or the first sentence to link with the paragraph before. Limit paragraph length to a maximum of 100 words.
: z.< ||T Verb Tenses
m Wtwp- Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
zF{5!b These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
K{ N#^L! http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense mgS%YG http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm @}#$<6| http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html zc(- dMlK Spelling
Y]P]^3 Before the test, when you practise writing tasks, check the spelling of any word you are unsure about. Be especially careful of the "ei" and "ie" words, words which add "-ing" and/or "ed," and words with one or more sets of double letters.
