Instructions:
The exercises come in two forms, Word files and PDF files. Use whichever file works better for you. To access the PDF files, drag your mouse over the pictures and click on one of the selections.  Although you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and read those files, most computers come loaded with it (both Macs and PCs). If you do not have it, you can download it for free from this link. For the Word format documents, you need to have Microsoft Word on your computer to be able to open the files.

Please Note:
If you use Word downloads, and decide to do the exercises on your word processor, make sure I can clearly see the changes you make. Use a different color, or enter your answers in the spaces provided. I will not correct work in which I cannot easily detect your answers.

Proofreading Page

Research and experience show that teaching grammar to native English speaking students simply does not work. Students will focus too much on mechanical details to the detriment of content, they will forget what they are taught right after the class quiz or exam, or the teacher will be teaching various grammar elements to students who already know the element, wasting valuable class time. These same studies have shown that the only way to correct grammar problems and to teach students to proofread well is to find a way to integrate the learning of grammar into the writing process and to get you, the student, to take responsibility for learning the elements that you need to master and then proofread for them once you have learned how to do them correctly. Although the proofreading elements on this page are designed to be self-taught, they will be utterly useless if you try to rush through them. You need to take your time and study them as opposed to just read them, and then you need to carefully apply what you learn to the exercises while paying close attention to the exercise instructions. The final step in this method of integrating the learning of grammar into the writing process is to proofread your writing for the element that you now know you have a problem with. I will not deduct for any error that you have not had a chance to master. However, as the semester progresses you will become responsible for more and more, and if you do not get involved with this very effective system, you will be left behind and jeopardize your chances to move on. I will assign to you sections that you have shown you need to work on. The details on how to complete the system satisfactorily follow in the Folder Insert that you need to staple to your summary and essay portfolio folder.

Microsoft Word Document Section

Folder Insert Use the PDF file (to the right) if the first page does not format itself with a table ALL ON ONE PAGE

Section 1: SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Section 2: RUN-TOGETHER SENTENCES (COMMA SPLICES)

Section 3: SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Section 4: MORE SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Section 5: SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS

Section 6: PAST TENSE AND PAST PARTICIPLES (ed endings only)

Section 7: PRESENT AND PAST PERFECT TENSES

Section 8: SPECIAL HELPING VERBS

Section 9: CONDITIONALS

Section 10: PRONOUN AGREEMENT

Section 11: POSSESSIVE NOUNS

Section 12: CONTRACTIONS

Section 13: HOMONYMS

Section 14: CAPITALIZATION

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