Essays -- common errors. October 5 2006

When quoting a short line or phrase, make sure the whole sentence in which it occurs is grammatical.

Four or more lines from a poem should be indented and set out in the original lines; no quotation marks are needed.

Cited example errors / proposed correction:

• Wordsworth portrays two different views of the same world, through these two views the poem's literary characteristics are seen. / comma splice; should be two sentences
• This use of aesthetic is effective … / aesthetic features
• The writer uses aesthetics, engagement, challenges the reader's world view… / aesthetic techniques, arouses the engagement of the reader, and …
• challenges the viewer by making them see … / singular-plural conflict: usually best to make plural, i.e., challenges the viewers
• Coleridge challenges the reader to take a deeper look at their surroundings / his surroundings; or challenges readers to
• empress on the reader / impress
• The writer uses imagery and details to create . . . / details of what?
• defamiliarize the reader from the world . .. . / defamiliarize the reader's view of the world
• the poem would not be as affective if … / effective
• he points out that the birds ". . . made off into the dusk" / omit ellipsis
• he describes what he in visions focusing on the use of light / envisions
• imagery helps to enhance it's meaning / its (it's abbreviates it is)

Document created October 5th 2006