Proofreading UK Primary School Reports: The one-stop guide to perfecting your school report

Table of contents :
Contents note: SECTION ONE. The process --
decisions in planning, drafting, and revising: Introduction --
How writing looks --
How writing makes a difference --
How digital tools have transformed writing (and how they have not) --
ch. 1 Decisions in the writing process --
Decision making and the writing process --
Case study: One writer's decision-making process --
"Confessions of a food addict" Wendy Gianacoples (student) --
The looping structure of the writing process --
Decisions on collaborative writing --
Digital tip: know when digital tools can help and when they cannot --
Applications --
"Breaking the bonds of hate" Virak Khiev (student) --
ch. 2 Decisions planning --
Deciding on a topic, purpose, thesis, and audience --
Decide on your topic --
Guidelines for choosing your essay topic --
Decide on your purpose --
Guidelines for deciding on your purpose --
Decide on your thesis --
Guidelines for developing your thesis --
Decide on your audience. Contents note continued: Guidelines for Analyzing Your Audience --
Case Study: Analyzing Your Writing Situation --
Discovering, Selecting, and Organizing Your Material --
Discover Useful Material --
Guidelines for Brainstorming --
Select Your Best Material --
Organize for Readers --
Guidelines for Selecting and Organizing Your Material --
Case Study: Exploring and Arranging Assets --
Digital Tip: Use Digital Tools to Help You Plan --
Finding Your Voice --
Find a Voice That Connects with Readers --
Avoid an Overly Informal Tone --
The Writer's Planning Guide --
Planning for Group Work --
Guidelines for Writing Collaboratively --
Digital Tip: Use Your Computer to Collaborate on Group Projects --
A Checklist for Planning --
Applications --
ch. 3 Decisions In Drafting --
Drafting the Title and Introduction --
The Title --
The Introductory Paragraph --
Placing the Thesis --
Selecting an Opening Strategy --
Drafting the Body --
Drafting the Conclusion --
Selecting a Closing Strategy. Contents note continued: Guidelines for Drafting the Essay --
Case Study: Drafting the Essay --
"Cars R Us" / Maureen Malloy --
Digital Tip: Use Your Computer to Draft Safely and Efficiently --
A Checklist for Drafting --
Applications --
ch. 4 Decisions In Revising --
The Meaning of Revision --
A Checklist for Revision --
Case Study: Revising the Draft --
Revising with Peers --
Guidelines for Peer Review and Editing --
Proofreading Your Final Draft --
Guidelines for Proofreading --
Digital Tip: Use Your Computer to Revise --
A Checklist for Proofreading --
Applications --
SECTION TWO Specific Revision Strategies --
Introduction --
ch. 5 Revising The Content: Writing Something Worthwhile --
Make It Credible --
Make It Informative --
"Walk but Don't Run" / Jeff Leonard --
Make It Complete --
Avoid Plagiarism --
Guidelines for Revising Your Content --
Digital Tip: Use Your Word Processor to Revise an Essay's Content --
A Checklist for Content --
Applications. Contents note continued: ch. 6 Revising The Paragraphs: Shaping For Readers' Access --
The Topic Statement --
The Topic Statement as Readers' Framework --
The Topic Statement as Writers' Framework --
How Audience and Purpose Determine a Topic Statement's Focus --
Paragraph Unity --
Paragraph Coherence --
Ordering Ideas for Coherence --
Using Parallelism for Coherence --
Using Repetition and Restatement for Coherence --
Using Pronouns for Coherence --
Using Consistent Tense, Point of View, and Number for Coherence --
Using Transitions for Coherence --
Guidelines for Shaping Your Support Paragraphs --
Digital Tip: Use Your Word Processor to Revise an Essay's Supporting Paragraphs --
A Checklist for Support Paragraphs --
Applications --
ch. 7 Revising The Sentences: Writing With Style --
Aim for Clarity --
Keep Your Pronoun References Clear --
Avoid Ambiguous Modifiers --
Avoid Overstuffed Sentences --
Keep Equal Items Parallel --
Arrange Word Order for Coherence and Emphasis. Contents note continued: Use Active Voice Whenever Possible --
Use Passive Voice Selectively --
Trim the Fat --
Avoid Wordy Phrases --
Eliminate Redundancy --
Avoid Needless Repetition --
Avoid There and It Sentence Openers --
Delete Needless Phrases --
Avoid Weak Verbs --
Avoid Excessive Prepositions --
Avoid Nominalizations --
Make Negatives Positive --
Clear Out Clutter Words --
Delete Needless Prefaces --
Delete Needless Qualifiers --
Help Sentences Flow --
Combine Related Ideas --
Vary Sentence Construction and Length --
Use Short Sentences for Special Emphasis --
Digital Tip: Use Your Word Processor to Revise Sentences --
A Checklist for Sentence Style --
Applications --
ch. 8 Revising The Words And Phrases: Fine-Tuning --
Say Something Genuine --
Avoid Triteness --
Avoid Overstatement --
Avoid Misleading Euphemisms --
Aim for Precision --
Sharpen the Visual Details --
Add Personality --
Establish an Appropriate Distance --
Guidelines for Deciding About Tone. Contents note continued: Guidelines for Achieving a Conversational Tone --
Express a Clear and Appropriate Attitude --
Avoid Personal Bias --
Invite Everyone In --
Avoid Sexist Usage --
Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage --
Avoid Offensive Usage of All Types --
Guidelines for Inoffensive Usage --
Consider the Cultural Context --
Digital Tip: Use Your Word Processor to Revise Words and Phrases --
A Checklist for Word Choice and Tone --
Legal and Ethical Implications of Word Choice --
Applications --
SECTION THREE Essays for Various Goals --
Introduction --
Three Major Goals of Writing --
Major Development Strategies --
Using This Section --
A Word About Structural Variations --
ch. 9 Reading And Responding To Writing --
Different Levels of Reading --
Different Readers, Different Meanings --
Reading Strategies for Writers --
Case Study: One Writer's Response to Reading --
"Why I Want a Wife" / Judy Brady --
"A Long Way to Go" / Jacqueline LeBlanc. Contents note continued: Case Study: A Second Writer's Response to Reading --
"I Need an Assistant" / David Galuski --
Suggestions for Reading and Responding --
Guidelines for Reading to Respond --
Applications --
ch. 10 Description: Writing To Help Others See --
The Language of Description --
Using Objective Description to Inform --
Using Subjective Description to Make a Point --
Using Description Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Guidelines for Description --
Description as a Primary Essay Strategy --
"Swing Shift" / Glenn Silverberg --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"Coming into the Country" / Gish Jen --
"A Special Place" / Ellen Cayer --
A Checklist for Description --
Applications --
ch. 11 Narration: Writing To Help Others Share An Experience --
Using Objective Narration to Explain --
Using Subjective Narration to Make a Point --
Guidelines for Narration --
Using Narrative Reports Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Narration as a Primary Essay Strategy. Contents note continued: "Black Men and Public Space" / Brent Staples --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"Back at the Ranch" / Jay Allison --
"The Old Guy" / Al Andrade --
A Checklist for Narration --
Applications --
ch. 12 Illustration: Writing To Provide Examples --
Using Examples to Explain --
Using Examples to Make a Point --
Guidelines for Illustrating with Examples --
Using Illustration Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Illustration as a Primary Essay Strategy --
"A Case of `Severe Bias'" / Patricia Raybon --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"All You Can Eat" / Michelle Stacey --
"Fallen Arches" / Sophia Rothberg --
A Checklist for Using Illustration --
Applications --
ch. 13 Division And Classification: Writing To Explain Parts And Categories --
Using Division to Explain --
Using Division to Make a Point --
Guidelines for Division --
Using Classification to Explain --
Using Classification to Make a Point --
Guidelines for Classification. Contents note continued: Using Division and Classification Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Division and Classification as Primary Essay Strategies --
"All Junk, All the Time" / Richard Brookhiser --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"Doubts About Doublespeak" / William Lutz --
"We Like It Here" / Patrice LaChane --
A Checklist for Division and Classification --
Applications --
ch. 14 Process Analysis: Writing To Explain Steps And Stages --
Using Process Analysis to Explain --
Explaining How to Do Something --
Explaining How Something Happens --
Guidelines for Giving Instructions --
Using Process Analysis to Make a Point --
Guidelines for Explaining How Something Happens --
Using Process Analysis Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Process Analysis as a Primary Essay Strategy --
"Dumpster Diving" / Lars Eighner --
Case Study: Reading and Responding to Instructions --
"How to Deal with Snakebites" / Frank White --
"A First-Week Survival Guide for Commuters" / Catherine Nichols. Contents note continued: A Checklist for Giving Instructions --
Case Study: Reading and Responding to a Process Explanation --
"How Barrier Beaches Survive and Renew Themselves" / Jane Lowe --
"How Acid Rain Develops, Spreads, and Destroys" / Bill Kelly --
A Checklist for Process Explanation --
Applications --
ch. 15 Causal Analysis: Writing To Explain Why Something Happened Or What Will Happen --
Using Causal Analysis to Explain: Definite Causes --
Using Causal Analysis to Make a Point: Possible or Probable Causes --
Reasoning from Effect to Cause --
Guidelines for Effect-to-Cause Analysis --
Reasoning from Cause to Effect --
Guidelines for Cause-to-Effect Analysis --
Using Causal Analysis Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Causal Analysis as a Primary Essay Strategy --
"Should Schools Try to Boost Self-Esteem" / Roy F. Baumeister --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"Clothes Woes" / David Updike --
"School Uniforms: A Recipe for School Reform" / John Saurette. Contents note continued: A Checklist for Causal Analysis --
Applications --
ch. 16 Comparison And Contrast: Writing To Explain Similarities And Differences --
Developing a Comparison --
Developing a Contrast --
Developing a Combined Comparison and Contrast --
Using Comparison and Contrast to Explain --
Using Comparison and Contrast to Make a Point --
A Special Kind of Comparison: Analogy --
Using Comparison and Contrast Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Guidelines for Comparison and Contrast --
Comparison and Contrast as a Primary Essay Strategy --
"Debunking Myths About Latinos" / Ruben Navarrette Jr. --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"Social Networking: Crossing Digital Divide Can Pay Dividends" / Reid Goldsborough --
"Is Online Education Taking Us Anywhere?" / John Manning --
A Checklist for Comparison and Contrast --
Applications --
ch. 17 Definition: Writing To Explain The Exact Meaning --
Using Denotative Definitions to Explain. Contents note continued: Using Connotative Definitions to Make a Point --
Choosing the Level of Detail in a Definition --
Parenthetical Definition --
Sentence Definition --
Expanded Definition --
Guidelines for Definition --
Using Definition Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Definition as a Primary Essay Strategy --
"The Meaning of Macho" Rose del Castillo Guilbault --
Case Study: Reading and Responding --
"For My Indian Daughter" / Lewis P. Johnson --
"Life in Full Color" / Shirley Haley --
A Checklist for Definition --
Applications --
ch. 18 Argument: Writing To Persuade Your Readers --
Anticipating Audience Resistance --
Having a Debatable Claim --
Supporting Your Claim --
Offer Convincing Reasons --
Provide Objective Evidence --
Appeal to Shared Goals and Values --
Shaping a Clear Line of Thought --
Connecting with Your Audience --
Guidelines for Persuasion --
Using Argument Beyond the Writing Classroom --
Various Arguments for Various Goals. Contents note continued: Arguing to Change People's Thinking --
Arguing to Enlist People's Support --
Presenting a Proposal --
Case Study: Reading and Responding to an Argument for a Change in Thinking --
"On Reading Trash" / Bob Swift --
"Credit Cards: Leave Home Without Them" / Julia Schoonover --
Case Study: Reading and Responding to an Argument Seeking Active Support --
"Standards You Meet and Don't Duck" / William Raspberry --
"Save Liberal Arts" / Suzanne Gilbertson --
Case Study: Reading and Responding to a Proposal --
"Let Teenagers Try Adulthood" / Leon Botstein --
"Community Service Serves Everyone" / Kerry Donahue --
A Checklist for Persuasion --
Applications --
ch. 19 Special Issues In Persuasion --
Appealing to Reason --
Using Induction --
Using Deduction --
Recognizing Invalid or Deceptive Reasoning --
Fallacies That Break the Chain of Logic --
Fallacies That Evade the Issue --
Considering the Ethical Dimension --
A Checklist for Ethics in Persuasive Writing. Contents note continued: Appealing to Emotion --
Showing Empathy --
Guidelines for Making Emotional Appeals --
Acknowledging Opposing Views --
Maintaining a Moderate Tone --
Using Satire in Appropriate Circumstances --
Adding Humor Where Appropriate --
A Checklist for Persuasive Appeals --
Applications --
SECTION FOUR The Research Process --
Introduction --
ch. 20 Thinking Critically About The Research Process --
Asking the Right Questions --
Exploring a Balance of Views --
Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search --
Evaluating Your Findings --
Guidelines for Evaluating Expert Information --
Interpreting Your Findings --
Digital Tip: Balance Web-based and Traditional Research --
Applications --
ch. 21 Asking Questions And Finding Answers --
Deciding on a Research Topic --
Guidelines for Choosing a Research Topic --
Primary Versus Secondary Sources --
Exploring Secondary Sources --
Web-based Secondary Sources. Contents note continued: Digital Tip: Use Search Engines and Subject Directories Strategically --
Digital Tip: Use Information from Blogs, Wikis, and Internet Forums Cautiously --
Traditional Secondary Sources --
Exploring Primary Sources --
Unsolicited Inquiries --
Informational Interviews --
Guidelines for Informational Interviews --
Surveys --
Guidelines for Developing a Survey Questionnaire --
Personal Observation --
Applications --
ch. 22 Evaluating And Interpreting Your Findings --
Evaluate the Sources --
Determine the Currency of the Source --
Assess the Reputation of the Source --
Consider the Motives of the Study's Financers --
Cross-Check the Source Against Other, Similar Sources --
Digital Tip: Evaluate Web-based Sources Effectively --
Evaluate the Evidence --
Determine the Sufficiency of the Evidence --
Differentiate Hard from Soft Evidence --
Decide Whether the Presentation of Evidence Is Balanced and Reasonable --
Consider How the Facts Are Being Framed. Contents note continued: Interpret Your Findings --
Identify Your Level of Certainty --
Examine the Underlying Assumptions --
Be Alert for Personal Bias --
Consider Other Possible Interpretations --
Avoid Errors in Reasoning --
Faulty Generalization --
Faulty Causal Reasoning --
Faulty Statistical Reasoning --
Guidelines for Evaluating and Interpreting Information --
Assess Your Inquiry --
A Checklist for the Research Process --
Applications --
ch. 23 Avoiding Plagiarism, Documenting Your Sources, And Respecting Copyright --
What Is Plagiarism? --
Identifying Sources and Information That Must Be Credited --
Taking Effective and Accurate Notes --
Guidelines for Taking Notes --
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing --
Quoting the Work of Others --
Guidelines for Quoting the Work of Others --
Paraphrasing the Work of Others --
Guidelines for Paraphrasing the Work of Others --
Summarizing the Work of Others --
Guidelines for Summarizing Information --
Preparing an Abstract. Contents note continued: Guidelines for Preparing an Abstract --
Documentation: The Key to Avoiding Plagiarism --
Why You Should Document --
What You Should Document --
How You Should Document --
MLA Documentation Style --
MLA Parenthetical References --
MLA Works Cited Entries --
MLA Sample Works Cited Pages --
APA Documentation Style --
APA Parenthetical References --
APA Reference List Entries --
APA Sample List of References --
Respecting Copyright --
The Doctrine of Fair Use --
Using Materials in Electronic Form --
Digital Tip: Take Notes and Keep Track of Sources on Your Computer --
Applications --
ch. 24 Composing The Research Report, With A Sample Report In Apa Style --
Developing a Working Thesis and Outline --
Drafting Your Report --
Revising Your Report --
Digital Tip: Plan, Draft, and Revise a Research Report on Your Computer --
A Checklist for a Research Report --
A Sample Report in APA Style --
"Campus Crime: A Hidden Issue" / Julia Schoonover. Contents note continued: ch. 25 Case Study: A Sample Research Project In Mia Style --
Discovering a Worthwhile Topic --
Focusing the Inquiry --
Searching the Literature --
Recording and Reviewing Findings --
Settling on a Thesis --
Writing and Documenting the Report in MLA Style --
"Students Under Stress: College Can Make You Sick" / Shirley Haley --
SECTION FIVE Special Issues in Writing --
ch. 26 Writing At Work --
Writing in Your Career --
Characteristics of Workplace Writing --
Reader-Focused Writing --
Efficient Writing --
Ethical Writing --
Professional Writing --
Resumes and Other Job-Search Materials --
Resumes --
Guidelines for Hard-Copy Resumes --
Guidelines for Emailed and Scannable Resumes --
Guidelines for Online Resumes --
Application Letters --
Guidelines for Application Letters --
Dossiers, Portfolios, and Webfolios --
Dossiers --
Portfolios and Webfolios --
Guidelines for Dossiers, Portfolios, and Webfolios. Contents note continued: Everyday Workplace Correspondence: Memos, Emails, Instant Messages, Text Messages, Blogs, and Wikis --
Memos --
Emails --
Guidelines for Memos --
Guidelines for Emails --
Instant Messages and Text Messages --
Blogs and Wikis --
Letters --
Parts of a Letter --
Letter Format --
Types of Letters --
Guidelines for Letters --
A Final Word About Writing at Work --
Applications --
ch. 27 Taking Short-Answer, Paragraph, And Essay Exams --
Before You Write --
Managing Your Time --
Reading the Questions and Settling on a Strategy --
Writing Your Responses --
Short Answers --
Paragraph-Length Responses --
Essay-Length Responses --
Guidelines for Taking Short-Answer, Paragraph, and Essay Exams --
Applications --
SECTION SIX A Brief Handbook --
Common Sentence Errors --
Sentence Fragment --
Acceptable Fragments --
Faulty Coordination --
Faulty Subordination --
Comma Splice --
Run-on Sentence --
Faulty Agreement---Subject and Verb. Contents note continued: Faulty Agreement---Pronoun and Referent --
Faulty Modification --
Faulty Pronoun Case --
Sentence Shifts --
Effective Punctuation --
End Punctuation --
Semicolon --
Colon --
Comma --
Apostrophe --
Quotation Marks --
Ellipses --
Italics --
Parentheses --
Brackets --
Dashes --
Effective Mechanics --
Abbreviation --
Hyphenation --
Capitalization --
Use of Numbers --
Spelling --
Applications --
APPENDIX: FORMAT GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT --
Format Guidelines for Submitting Your Manuscript --
A Checklist for Formatting.