General comments for writing:(in no specific order) Use concise wording: In order to extend

  General comments for writing:(in no specific order)

• Use concise wording:
  • In order to extend his research, he asked for more funding. (wordy)
  • To extend his research, he asked for more funding. (concise)
• Use full words instead of contractions.
• If a quote has an error, insert [sic] to indicate that it is an original error and not yours.
  • "They took there [sic] dogs to the park."
• Oxford comma
  • I have three pets.  They are a dog, a cat and an axolotl. (incorrect)
  • I have three pets.  They are a dog, a cat, and an axolotl.
    • Correct – note the comma after cat.
  • https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4c/f8/b1/4cf8b12af96b1cf0e9dcb66bea4793d3.jpg
• Very – use this word sparingly, if at all.
  • Biology is very interesting. (incorrect)
  • Biology is interesting. (correct and conveys the same message as above)
  • Biology is intriguing. (also correct but indicates a stronger meaning)
• Citation and references – there are MANY resources for this.  Please use them.
• Semi-colons:
  • Used to introduce a clause using words such as therefore, however…
    • I skipped lunch; therefore, I was starving at supper time.
    • I skipped lunch; however, I did eat breakfast.
  • Used to connect two statements that are REALLY closely connected.  Use this sparingly as it attracts attention.  Overuse lessens its impact.
    • The change in the finches’ beaks occurred in three years; evolution happens quickly.
• Write the words of numbers less than 10.  If the number has two digits, write the number.  If the sentence starts with a number, write the word.
  • I have two dogs.  I wish I had 15 dogs.
  • 15 dogs live in my house. (incorrect)
  • Fifteen dogs live in my house. (correct)
• That and which:
  • If the sentence has a non-essential clause (you can remove the clause and it won’t affect the sentence), use , which.
    • My bike, which has a loud bell, is the same one I have had for years.
  • If the sentence has an essential clause (you need the clause for a clear sentence), use that
    • The bike that I use daily has a flat tire. (correct)
    • The bike, which I use daily, has a flat tire. (incorrect)
• Use italics instead of quotation marks to make something stand out
  • My dog is a labradane.  (correct)
  • My dog is a “labradane”. (incorrect)
• Please let me know if there is anything else we discussed that I forgot.