This two-day Writing Tune-up: Grammar series provides grammar instruction for all levels of writers. It is open to graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, faculty, and staff at the University of Guelph, as well as Guelph community members. The workshop is useful for participants wanting to improve their own writing skills as well as to provide more effective feedback on students' writing as TAs or faculty. Although you can attend either day, it is recommended that you start with Day 1. (If you also wish to attend Day 2, visit the Day 2 description to register for that session on January 12.)

During this day-long workshop, a half-hour meal break (at 2:00 pm) and snack breaks will be on your own.

Topics

Structuring Sentences

A review of basic information about sentences and parts of speech (recognizing nouns, verbs, etc.). The session includes discussion and examples of these guidelines:

• Use parts of speech appropriately
• Structure sentences using clauses and phrases
• Avoid sentence fragments

Using Verbals and Modifiers

A review of the use of verbals and modifiers in writing. Writers use verbals extensively in their writing without realizing what they are or how they should be used correctly. This session discusses the use of verbals compared to verbs, as well as defining different types of modifiers and how to correct errors in their use. The session includes discussion and examples of these guidelines:

• Recognize verbals compared to verbs
• Place modifiers in the right spot

Punctuating Sentences

A review of the rules of punctuation. The session includes discussion and examples of these guidelines:

• Use commas effectively
• Use a semi-colon effectively
• Use a colon effectively
• Punctuate properly between sentences