Introduction
BJ_+z gf` It is difficult to identify errors in your own written work, but if you can leave 3 or 4 minutes at the end of the test to perform a careful rereading of each task, you will almost certainly be able to find and correct some.
t00\yb^vJ8 Common errors
$:T<IU[E Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
qr7 X-[& Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
e cM4] U Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
/h1d
m, Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
+e&m#d Punctuation
>_|Z{:z]d. Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
]J8 KCjq@ End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
82G lbd) Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
PU,6h} Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
-lJx%9> Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
[8B
tIv This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
CwTS / G http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. i*mZi4URN Subject-Verb Agreement
.E?bH V Check every subject and verb to make sure that if you have used a singular subject, you have also used a singular verb. Similarly, a plural subject needs a plural verb. Pay extra care to add an 's' to present simple tense verbs in the 3rd person singular.
~0' _K1(H e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
vkDZv@ Sentence Length
t~+{Hr) #y Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
tdMP,0u Break long sentences into shorter units.
2)HxW}o If too short, perhaps you could link them using a conjunction or other transitional device, but do not overdo this (e.g. by starting nearly every sentence with a linking word.)
7eaA]y~H Cohesion (sentences)
j]@ x Q,y Ensure that each sentence follows clearly and logically from the one before it. Note that it is not necessary to keep all sentences the same length; sentences of different lengths in each paragraph makes for a more interesting writing style.
knNh N=hG+ Cohesion (paragraphs)
\] L::"![? Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
Ak %no3:9 Paragraphs should be around 4 -5 sentences long. Task one will probably contain 2-3 paragraphs, task two, 4 - 5. Try to use the last sentence to connect in some way with the paragraph after, or the first sentence to link with the paragraph before. Limit paragraph length to a maximum of 100 words.
J]kP` Verb Tenses
(R ;)
9I\ Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
_G-b L; These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
?34EJ
! http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense `g4Ekp'Rp[ http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm =:CGl http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html i
ECC@g@
a Spelling
0~@L
%~ Before the test, when you practise writing tasks, check the spelling of any word you are unsure about. Be especially careful of the "ei" and "ie" words, words which add "-ing" and/or "ed," and words with one or more sets of double letters.
