Introduction
[WwoGg*)mn 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.
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Common errors
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7 Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
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Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
VfU"%0x Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
$xO8? Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
)+ .=z Punctuation
X%Ok "> Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
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Njy1 End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
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:WL)@ Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
c^}y9% 4c Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
'*J+mZt N Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
"O34 E?ql. This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
oe<i\uX8z http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. pz%s_g' Subject-Verb Agreement
3$?6rMl@y 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.
,s8 /6n# e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
!"^Zr]Qt+\ Sentence Length
gAAC>{Wh Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
:[0 R F^2} Break long sentences into shorter units.
Pn,I^Ej . 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.)
}c/p;< Cohesion (sentences)
25>R^2,LiE 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.
'Lu<2=a ~ Cohesion (paragraphs)
*yBVZD|?H Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
BH:A]#_{ 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.
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S Verb Tenses
: >FN|fz Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
2Q6;SF"Z These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
LG[N\%<!H http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense ciS +.%7 http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm jQ{ @ol}n http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html 3](hMk,} Spelling
g5y+F]'I 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.
