Introduction
&xA>(|a\&- 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.
Nu3gkIz5z- Common errors
&*Xrh7 K2e Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
q%QvBN Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
yYSmmgrX0 Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
H\H7a.@nkF Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
m.!LL]] Punctuation
*JfGGI_E Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
-agB ]j End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
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Q>_G^ Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
a6cU<(WDeh Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
ID`Ot{ y Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
K F _Uu This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
B9[vv;lzu http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. q'a]DJ` Subject-Verb Agreement
1L+hI=\O 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.
bq) 1'beW e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
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q Sentence Length
mtkZF{3Jx Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
#d3_7rI0V Break long sentences into shorter units.
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YVb 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.)
-:p VDxO Cohesion (sentences)
B9y5NX 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.
s 8[( Cohesion (paragraphs)
("PZ!z1m1 Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
0TA8#c 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.
,/GFD[SQ Verb Tenses
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Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
v ;5-1 These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
d }fd^x/ http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense Q:7P
/ http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm T^v o9~N* http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html ? Fa$lE4 Spelling
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' 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.
