FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following FAQ's are from students in EG10, EG11, and EF08 during the spring 2000 semester. Here are some simple answers to some complicated questions on writing, grammar, and punctuation. Our answers here are not comprehensive but should get you going on the right track.  For more information, come to the Writing Center.  
How do I start a paper?
How do I decide what topic to write on?
What is a thesis statement?
What is a good introduction?
What is a correct paragraph structure?
How do I know when to start a new paragraph?
How long should my introduction be for a research paper?
How do I improve my paper?
Is there someone who can critique my work?

How important is grammar in EG 11?
What is the best way to avoid run-on sentences?
How do you spell this word?
How do verbs agree with subjects?
How and when are coordinating conjunctions used?
How and when do I use conjunctive adverbs?
When do I use "there", "their" or "they're"?
Who can help me identify my grammatical errors?
Where are the right places to use a comma?
Does a comma come before or after "but"?
How and when do I use interjections?
When is a semicolon used?
When do I use a apostrophe?
Should periods and commas be inside or outside quotation marks?
Should colons and semicolons be inside or outside quotation marks?
Where can I go to ask a question on punctuation?
 
 

FAQ's on writing:


How do I start a paper?

Before starting a paper, you should first explore what you have to say.  Free writing is a good way to discover your thoughts on a subject.  Some students find writing an outline helpful.

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 How can I decide what topic to write on? You can find many topics through your own personal experience. The Writing Center can help you develop your ideas. The Internet and newspapers can be accessed to explore your topic.

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 What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is the main sentence or sentences that explains the purpose of your essay or paper.

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 What is a good introduction? A good introduction states clearly what the focuses of your paper are and has a clear concise thesis statement.  Also, your introduction should draw the reader into the paper.  It has a "hook" or something that makes the reader want to continue reading.

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 What is a correct paragraph structure? A paragraph is a group of sentences that begins with a topic sentence and supports the main point. The main point of the paragraph should be clear to the reader and all the sentences in the paragraph should relate to the main point.  Transitions should be used when you begin a new paragraph.

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 How do I know when to start a new paragraph? A new paragraph begins when you introduce a new idea. When you develop another idea that supports your thesis, you should begin a new paragraph.

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 How long should my introduction be for a research paper? Your introduction should be long enough to fully explain your thesis statement.  Generally, your introduction should attract your reader's attention and contain general information about your topic.

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 How do I improve my paper? Every time you revise your paper it becomes better. Ask someone to read your paper and ask questions about what is not clear. Also, visit the Writing Center often.

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 Is there someone who can critique my work? The tutors in the Writing Center will critique your essay or paper. They will make suggestions and you will be able to revise your paper.

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FAQ's on grammar:
 
 

How important is grammar in EG11?

Grammar is very important in EG 11 and in every course you take; however, the content of your writing is the most important concern.

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 What is the best way to avoid run-on sentences? Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to separate the independent clauses or consider using a semicolon to separate the clauses. Finally, consider breaking the clauses into separate sentences.

Examples:  The car needs work, but you can fix the brakes.
                 The car needs work; you can fix the brakes .
                 The car needs work.  You can fix the brakes.

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 How do I spell this word? A dictionary is the best source for spelling a word correctly and, also, for clarifying the meaning of the word.  "Spell check" on your computer is also a good source, but be careful.  "Spell check" will not tell you if the word's meaning is correct, only the spelling.

Example:   If you write tow, but intended the number two, spell check will not identify the
                "error."

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 How do verbs agree with subjects? Verbs agree with their subjects in number (singular or plural) and in person (first, second or third).

Example:   One of the guests is a sleepwalker.
               They walk to school.

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 How and when are coordinating conjunctions used? The coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.  They are used to connect grammatically equal elements.

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 How and when do I use conjunctive adverbs? A conjunctive adverb is used as a transition between clauses.  The most common conjunctive adverbs are consequently, finally, moreover, furthermore, however, nevertheless, then, thus, similarly, and therefore.

Example:   John did not understand our language; therefore, he was unfamiliar with our
                customs.

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 When do I use "there," "their" or "they're"? "There" is an adverb specifying space.  The word "here," meaning a place or a location, is in the word there.  "Their" is a possessive pronoun.  The word "heir," meaning possession or ownership, is in the word "their".  The word "they're" is a contraction of "they are".

Examples:  Go over there.  (location)
               Their car is blue. (possession)
               They're not at home. (contraction)

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 Who can help me identify my grammatical errors? The tutors in the Writing Center can help you identify your errors and show you how to correct them.

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FAQ's on punctuation:
 
 

Where are the right places to use a comma?

There are many places to use a comma.  The three most frequent uses are: a comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction.  There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, nor, or, for, so, yet.  A comma is used after an introductory clause or phrase, and all items in a series are separated by commas.

Examples:  Karen left early, but she arrived home late.
                 Before the rain began to fall, Jake and I mowed the lawn.
                 In EG 13 we read poetry, plays, short stories, and a novel.

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 Does a comma come before or after "but"? A comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction such as but, and, nor, or, for, so, and yet only if there is a complete "sentence" (independent clause) on both sides of the conjunction.

Example:  Ron went fishing, but he didn't catch anything. (two independent clauses)
               George loves to sail but not on rainy days. (no comma)

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 How and when do I use interjections? An interjection is used to express surprise or emotion.

Examples:  "Wow!" she exclaimed.
                 Oh, what a lovely day.
                 Hey!  Watch out for the car.

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 When is a semicolon used? A semicolon is used to connect independent clauses (two sentences) that are very closely related.

Example:  He is funny; she is serious.

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 When do I use an apostrophe? An apostrophe is used to indicate that a noun is possessive or to denote missing letters in contractions.  For more uses, click here: Use of Apostrophes

Example:   John's car is new. (possessive)
              I'm going home. (missing letter)

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 Should periods and commas be inside or outside quotation marks? Periods and commas are usually placed inside the closing quotation mark at the end of the quotation.  * The exception to this rule is the placement of the period in a parenthetical reference.  In this case,  the period comes after the closing quotation mark and the parentheses.

Examples:  Oscar Wilde wrote, "I can resist everything except temptation."
                 "I can resist everything," wrote Oscar Wilde, "except temptation."
                 "I can resist everything except temptation," wrote Oscar Wilde.

Exception:  "I can resist everything except temptation" (Wilde 27).

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 Should colons and semicolons be inside or outside quotation marks? Colons and semicolons are placed outside quotation marks, except if they are part of the original quotation.

Examples:  Jim said, "I'll be home early"; he came home, however, after midnight.
                 Jim said: "I'll be home early."

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 Where can I go to ask a question on punctuation? The tutors in the Writing Center are always happy to answer any questions you have about punctuation.

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Prepared by Barbara Leek