Our Pet Peeves
Want to drive us crazy (and lose points in the process)? If so,
ignore this page. If not, remember:
- Use at least two paragraphs per page. If
you write as well as authors like James Joyce or José
Saramago, you can get away with a single paragraph per page -- or
chapter. Most of us use very long paragraphs when an issue is
confusing or overwhelming and we can't order our ideas. If you find
yourself using only one paragraph on a page, ask yourself "Why?"
- Avoid sexist language. However, choose
elegant rather than awkward ways to do so. This is ugly: "A
student is often overwhelmed and they..." or "A
student is often overwhelmed and he or she..." I
appreciate the intention, but hate the manner of presentation. Here
are some simple ways to avoid sexist language:
- "Students are often overwhelmed and will..."
- "Students are often overwhelmed in college. They will..."
- "Mary is often overwhelmed. She will..."
- Match nouns and verbs in number. This
bothers me as much as fingernails on a chalkboard: "The students
is..." Most of us don't do this with very simple sentences such as
this example, but do it with more complicated sentences such as this
one: "The students carrying the banner walks
rapidly down the road."
- Use active voice to describe your actions.
Rather than saying "It was felt that the Spring was a
beautiful time of year," write "I think that Spring is a
beautiful time..." This isn't just an idea to help you become a
better writer, but will help you recognize your control over your
world rather than leaving you feeling buffeted by fate.
Another similar example is the use of "as if" or "as though"
instead of "that": "I felt as if his behavior was inappropriate."
Did you or didn't you? Instead of distancing yourself from your
experience, experience it directly: "I felt that his
behavior was inappropriate." Use "as if" in a simile, to compare two
different things: "He walked as if he was a three legged
camel."
- Use "think" and "feel" correctly. Use "feel"
to describe emotions: "I feel anxious when..." and "I
think that Freud's work has little scientific basis."
Again, this isn't just a good writing and thinking skill, it makes
sense psychologically. While we have little direct control over our
feelings, we can control our thoughts. However, the first thing we
need to do is recognize what our thoughts (directly controllable) and
feelings (indirectly controllable) are.
- "Better" is an adjective not a verb: "I want
to feel better, " rather than "I want to better
myself."
- Use words appropriately. Learn the
differences between:
- "effect" and "affect." "Affect" is either a verb or refers
to mood, "effect" is generally a noun, as in a consequnce.
- "its" and "it's." "It's" should only be used when you mean to
say "it is." "Its" is a possessive noun.
- "There," "they're" and "their." "There" is a place. "They're"
is a contraction of "they" and "are." "Their" is a possessive
pronoun.
- Avoid using "and" for "to" as in, "I'll try and do it."
("I'll try to do it.")
Use "should have" rather than "should of." ("He should have gone to
her house first.")
People judge your abilities by how you present your thoughts and
ideas. When you use words inappropriately readers assume you don't
know what you're talking about.
Page by jms
URL=http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/petpeeves.html
Last modified February 4, 2004