Among/between • Among is used with more than two (The faculty discussed the problem among themselves.) • Between is used with two (She stood between the tree and the rock.) Farther/further • Farther refers to distance (I have traveled farther than you.) • Further means additional or to a greater degree and is used when no notion of distance exists (I need further assistance.) Fewer/less • Fewer refers to a number (Use the express lane if you have ten items or fewer.) • Less refers to an amount (I prefer less salt in my food.) Principle/Principal • Principal means primary or sum of money (The Principal, Ms. Jones, could not pay the principal on the loan.) • Principle is a rule of conduct (He has strong principles.) All sentences must have a capital letter at the beginning and some sort of end mark (period, exclamation point, question mark). Students should not use “I think,” “I believe,” or “In my opinion” when making an argument. The same statement should be written without any of these terms. When using the word “like,” students must be comparing two things. Students should not use the universal “you.” Example: “When you read To Kill a Mockingbird, you begin to sympathize with Boo Radley.” Students should not use any language that is often found in a text message. This includes, but is not limited to: “u,” “w/,” “b/c,” “gr8,” “thanx,” “cuz,” etc.
PUNCTUATION
Comma A comma is used • after an introductory phrase, prepositional phrase, or dependent clause • to separate elements in a series • to separate nonessential information in a sentence • between adjectives that are equal and reversible • after a transition i• n quoted work To avoid comma splices (joining two independent clauses with a comma), separate the clauses with a period, with a semicolon, or with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction. Semicolon A semicolon is used • to join two independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis • to join two independent clauses when the second clause starts with a conjunctive adverb or a transition • to join elements in a series when the individual elements already contain commas Colon A colon is used • to join two independent clauses when you want to emphasize the second clause • after an independent clause when it is followed by a list, a quotation, or another idea directly related to the independent clause Parentheses Parentheses are used to emphasize the content of the sentence. Use them to set off nonessential information such as dates, sources, or clarifying information. Quotation Marks Quotation marks are used • to enclose direct quotes • around the titles of short poems, song titles, short stories, magazine or newspaper articles, essays, speeches, chapter titles, short films, and TV or radio episodes Do not use quotation marks in indirect or block quotations. 30