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A Basic Spelling &

Punctuation
Review
An English/Reading
Mini-Workshop to Help
Student Support
Services (SSS)
Participants Improve
their English language
skills

Some Basic Usage Problem Areas


Spelling Errors
Abbreviation
Word division
Capitalization
Homonyms
Contractions

Why not just


tell the whole
world that I
have problems?

Punctuation Errors

Why is it important to pay


attention to spelling or
punctuation usage?
To write clear Standard American English
(SAE) messages.
To meet proofreading expectations of
and communication demands on college
writers.
To meet your personal writing standards
or your need to write well in your
academic, business and personal lives.
To teach you to assess and evaluate your
own writing strengths or deficits.

Supplemental Study Material


and Optional
Practice Exercise 1
Carefully read the supplemental study
materials (Proofreading Tips), if they
are supplied to you. If you do not have the
supplements, dont worry. Continue to next
slide.
See if you can locate at least four errors on
the page.

Back to Basic
Grammar

First,
Spelling.

Spelling Rules
Put i before e
Except after c
Or when it sounds like a
As in neighbor or neigh.
Examples:
Line 1:mischief (i before e)
Line 2:receiver (except after c)
Line 3:weight (as in neigh)
Some i before e Exceptions:
neither
leisure
foreign
Source: http://www.mc3.edu/aa/lal/workshops/wksp_spelling/spellingrules.html

Spelling Rules (Cont.)


If the suffix or verb ending begins with a vowel, drop the final e.
Examples:

amuse + ing = amusing


creative + ity = creativity

If the suffix or verb ending begins


with a consonant, keep the final e.
Examples:

measure + ment = measurement


definite + ly = definitely

Source: http://www.mc3.edu/aa/lal/workshops/wksp_spelling/spellingrules.html

Spelling Rules (Cont.)


If the word has a consonant before the y, change the y to i.
Example: mercy + less = merciless
If the word has a vowel before the y, keep the y.
Example: deploy + ed = deployed
Words that end in ss, sh, ch or x add -es.
Example: stitch = stitches; box=boxes
For words that have a consonant before a final y, change the y
to i before adding -es.
Example: summary = summaries
Source: http://www.mc3.edu/aa/lal/workshops/wksp_spelling/spellingrules.html

Spelling Rules (Cont.)


ENGLISH SPELLING RULES FOR SHORT AND LONG VOWELS
Short Vowels
1. To spell a short vowel sound, only one letter is needed:

Examples: combat

shred

exit

hot

super

Long Vowels
2. To spell a long sound you usually must add a second vowel, or you may
use the consonants y or w in place of the vowel.

Examples: reach

loose soup

seize

sky

Now, pick out the short and long vowel sounds in this word:

Psychological

Answer:
Psychological

Source:
http://www.dyslex
ia.org/spelling_ru
les.shtml

Spelling Rules (Cont.)


There are two kinds of suffixes, those that begin with a vowel
and those that begin with a consonant. [Usually] spelling
problems . . . occur with vowels.
Vowel Suffixes

Consonant Suffixes

- - - age

- - -ist

- - - ness

- - - cess

- - - ant

- - - ish

- - -less

- - -ment

- - -ance

- - -ing

- - -ly

- - -ty

- - - al

- - -ar

- - -ful

- - -ry

- - -ism

- - -o

- - -hood

- - -ward

- - -able

- - -on

- - -wise

- - -an

- - -ous

---a

- - -or

- - -es

- - -ual

- - -ed

- - -unt

- - -er

- - -um

- - -est

- - -us

- - -y

- - -ive
Source: http://www.dyslexia.org/spelling_rules.shtml

Spelling Rules (Cont.)


Homonyms & Homophones
HOMONYMS words that sound similar, but have different meanings and spellings

Example: affect-effect; they're-their-there; fell-fail


Hint: Often, you can use affect as a verb.
Verb: His rowdy behavior negatively affects (influences) many people.
Hint: The word effect is used as a noun or verb.
Noun: Researchers are studying the effects of the war on children.
Verb: Only the president can effect (bring about or cause) positive changes.

HOMOPHONE a word (type of homonym) that is pronounced the same as another


word. The words may be spelled differently or the same.

Examples:

foul (odor) / fowl (bird) or rose (flower) / rose (past tense of rise)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_
homophonous_phrases

Spelling Rules (Cont.)


CONTRACTION -- A word or phrase
that has been shortened by leaving
out some of the letters is called a
contraction.
An apostrophe is used to show that
the letters have been omitted (wont
- will not), (oclock - of the clock).
Source: http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/spelling_rules.htm

List of Homonyms / Practice


Review the list.
When you use the wrong homonym, you change the entire meaning of
a sentence.

Practice Examples (Which ones are correct and why?):


(1)Its time that people stop fighting.
Its time that people stop fighting.
(2)The cat hopped because its paw hurt.
The cat hopped because its paw hurt.
(3)Their heads appeared pointed and large.
There heads appeared pointed and large.
Theyre heads appeared pointed and large.

Spelling Rules Capitalization


Unless rules of capitalization are followed, a word can contain all of the
correct alphabets in the correct order, yet still be wrongly spelled.

The names of holidays are capitalized (Christmas, Valentines Day).


The names of the months of the year and the days of the week are capitalized
(January, Monday).
The names of countries and continents are capitalized (United States, Antarctica).
When you write the name of a particular avenue or street, capitalize the words
avenue and street (Fifth Avenue, Oak Street).
The abbreviations Mr., Mrs. and Ms. are always capitalized and followed by a period
(Mr. Smith, Mrs. Woods, Ms. Day).
The names of deities are capitalized (God, Allah, Buddha, Saviour).
The word republican is capitalized when it refers to the Republican party (The
Republicans won the election.).
When words like senator and general are used as titles with a persons name, they
are capitalized (General Powell)
Capitalize the words capitol, senate, building, supreme and court when referring to
the Capitol Building, the Senate, the Supreme Court of Canada.
Source: http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/spelling_rules.htm

Spelling Rules (cont.)


~ SOME CUES to HELP YOU
SPELL SPECIAL WORDS ~
Compound Words are made by writing two small words
together to make one larger word. (news+ paper =
newspaper; some + body= somebody)
A root word is the root, or beginning word, from which
another word is made. Play is the root word of plays,
played and playing. Knowledge of roots can cue you into
correctly spelling some words.
(Remember the list of vocabulary roots I handed at the
Writing Descriptively workshop.)
Derived words are words that come from other words.
Suitable is derived from suit; advertisement from
advertise. Sometimes the spelling of the root word is
slightly changed in the derived word.
Source: http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/spelling_rules.htm

General Spelling Rules


For

Numbers

Spell small numbers out in sentences.


Small numbers, such as whole numbers
smaller than ten, should be spelled out.
Examples and Exceptions:
1.Ten students passed the exam.
2.Only 1000 students passed the exam.
3.One thousand students took the exam. (Spell out any
number if it starts a sentence.)
4.Of the 1000 students that took the exam, only 25
passed it with at least a grade of D and only 9 students
scored a grade of C or better on it. (Be as consistent as
possible.)

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt


Graphics: Microsoft

End of Spelling section


This way to Punctuation

PROPER
PUNCTUATION
A Presentation to Help
Student Support
Services (SSS)
Participants Learn
Proper Punctuation
Placement and Avoid
Punctuation Pitfalls

Relevance &
Purposes

Relevance: * Some people write well, yet allow


themselves to be disabled by a fear of punctuation
and grammar. They know how to pre-write,
organize, and revise, but proofreading for
punctuation and grammar causes them difficulties.
Theres no need to fear these conventions of
standard written English. In fact, these
conventions can help you become a more effective
communicator. Gary A. Olson

Purpose: This PowerPoint Presentation is to provide


you with a review of proper punctuation usage.
*Quote retrieved at: http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/intro.html

Commonly-applied Punctuation
Marks
Period (.)
Question Mark (?)
Exclamation Point (!)
Apostrophe ( )
Comma (,)
Parentheses ( )
Brackets [ ]
Semicolon (;)
Colon :
Hyphen Dash - Quotation Marks

Note: Periods,
Question Marks, and
Exclamation Points
are END MARKS.

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt


Graphics: Microsoft

What is an end mark


An end mark is punctuation that
comes at the end of a sentence to let
you know when the sentence ends.
Punctuation supports reading by
helping readers know when the
writer has fully expressed an idea or
point.

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt


Graphics: Microsoft

The period is the most famous end mark. It comes


at the end of statements and commands.
It is raining today.
Do not interrupt while I am talking.
A question mark means something is being asked.
Are you going to lunch?

An exclamation mark shows excitement or strong


Feeling.
That is a huge dog!
Source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt

The period is also used as more than just an end mark.

It is used in abbreviations, too:

1290 College Rd

E B White

. .
Ms. White
Dr. Atchley

Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt

Remember,
An end mark comes at the END of a
sentence, and lets you know when to . . .

Now, there are several other members of the punctuation family.

Please continue to next slide . . .


Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft

The Colon
Not This one . . .

The colon is made with two periods.


It is used for time, and it comes before a list.
Example:
Example:

11:35pm
I will need the following items from the store:
bananas, grapes, watermelon, and lemons.

The Semi-colon
The semi-colon is made with a period over a comma. It is
a punctuation mark (;) used to separate parts of a sentence or list and
indicating a pause longer than a comma, but shorter than a period. In a
sentence, a transition word may follow the semi-colon.

Example: Latte is strong; however, he is no match


for the heroic energy of the sun.

--THE DASH
A dash is a punctuation mark that writers use to
denote a sudden break or shift in thought.
(One dash = Two hyphens)

I can -- no,
I must -- I
must dash
toward the
finish line.

Use the dash:

(1) to indicate a break or shift in thought: For example:


Example: Do we -- can we--dare we ask for more money?
(2) to introduce a word or group of words which you wish to
emphasize. Example: What he needed most he never got
love.
3) to set off strongly distinguished parenthetical material:
Example: I think--no, I am positive -- you should go.
4) to indicate omission of letters and words: For Example:
Senator S-- was from my hometown.

--

- THE HYPHEN
Mark Of Separation Used Between Parts Of A Word.
USE A HYPHEN:
1) To Separate (Join) The Parts Of Compound Words: Examples: fast-moving;
sister-in-law; half-asleep; X-ray; know-it-all; forty-seven; three-fourths

2) To Indicate The Division Of A Word Broken At The End Of A Line:


Examples: know-ledge, ste-no-gra-pher
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Never divide a monosyllable: Example: strength, laughed


Do not divide a syllable with a silent vowel: Example: climbed, yelled
Do not divide a word with only 4 letters: Example: also, only, open
Divide two consonants standing between vowels: Example: struc-ture, alternative, exis-ten-tialism
Do not divide sums of money.
Do not divide initials in a name or in proper names.
Do not divide units of time.

USE QUOTATION MARKS


1)

To enclose every direct quotation and each part of an interrupted quotation:


Example: What will my starting salary be? I asked the manager. Well,
he replied, Im not sure.

2) in a dialogue. Use a separate paragraph for each change of speaker. Example:


Dad, cried Neil.
There, there, everything will be just fine, his dad said.
3) to enclose words with a widely different level of usage: Example: The person

who has had it so far is his mother.

4) to enclose chapter headings and the titles of articles:


Example: Grant woods famed painting, American Gothic, was recently
reproduced in American Gothic Journal.
USE SINGLE QUOTATION MARKS () to enclose a quotation within a quotation.
Example: The coach said, when you say, Ill be there on time, I expect
you to mean what you say.
Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt

THE APOSTROPHE
. . . looks like a single quotation mark, but is used for a different purpose.

USES FOR AN APOSTROPHE:

1)
2)
3)
4)

To form a possessive. EX: Joes


mothers brother
To indicate a contraction. EX: Its,
which translates to It is.
To indicate omission of a letter from
words or a figure from numerals. EX:
Yes, maam.
To indicate the plurals of letters,
numerals, symbols, abbreviations.
EX: Only As, Bs and Cs are considered
passing grades at the Art institute.
Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft

THE APOSTROPHE
(cont.)
USE THE APOSTROPHE
1) And s to form the possessive case of a noun not ending in s:
Ex: Childrens; towns
2) To form the possessive case of a plural noun ending in s:
Ex: Boys and ladies classrooms
3) Alone or with s to form the possessive of nouns ending is s:
Ex: Robert Burns or Burnss (rule: words of one syllable)
4) and s in the last element of compound nouns:
Ex: My son-in-laws boat; King Henry IVs funeral; somebody elses
ticket
5) To show that letters of figures have been omitted:
Ex: Arent; shouldnt; the civil war was fought 1861-65.
6) And s to indicate the plurals of numerals, letters, etc. Ex: Uncrossed ts
look like 1s. He uses too many ands and buts in speaking.
Slides info source: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ppt
Graphics: Microsoft

The Comma

,
The comma is used to separate a list.
Example: My favorite animals are giraffes, dogs, cats, and birds.
It is also used between the date and the year.
Example: Today is March 6, 2007, and I plan to enjoy today.
A comma can also tell you where to pause in a sentence.

Example: All is well, but not necessarily forgotten.

Parenthesis
Parenthesis -- One of a pair of shallow, curved signs
(, ) used to enclose an additional inserted word or
comment and distinguish it from the sentence in
which it is found. Parentheses (plural) [Definition from
Microsoft version of Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]
Parentheses are round brackets: ()

Example:
Riva (Her name means one who captivates or
possesses an ensnaring beauty.) wandered off into
the forest and was lost for three days and two
nights.

Bracket
Bracket (1) one of a pair of symbols, often [ ], used in
keying or printing to indicate the insertion of special
commentary, such as that made by an editor; (2) an
alternative to parentheses. Brackets (plural)
[Definition from Microsoft version of Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]

Example:
Riva [Her name means one who captivates or
possesses an ensnaring beauty.] wandered off into
the forest and was lost for three days and two
nights.

Different Kinds of
Brackets

box brackets or square brackets: []


curly brackets or braces: {}
angle brackets or chevrons: < >
parentheses or round brackets: ()

Source: Retrieved at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brackets

Punctuation
Practice Exercise 3
Please complete punctuation
practice handout, if available.

CONCLUSION . . .
Please make use of any supplemental study materials
provided to you.

Source information provided on individual slides.


Please complete an evaluation form before you leave.
SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful
information.

Have a great learning experience here at Troy University.

Contact Information

Troy University
Troy, Alabama 36082
Student Support Services
109 Shackelford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL 36082
Phone: 334-670-5985
Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist
109 Shackelford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL 36082
Phone: 334-670-5985; rmoney@troy.edu / PPT Developed 2007/08-02

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