Español 203 - PASAJES

Before submitting your "paragraphs" - and most definitely your "formal composition" - make a rough draft and edit it diligently. Our first effort can always use improvement. When editing the rough draft, ponder the following questions:

1. AGREEMENT:
Is my subject agreeing with the verb?
Article with noun?  
Adjective with noun ?

2. Am I sure of the spelling? Accents? (Use a dictionary. Do not trust your head.)
Have I punctuated correctly?

3. What kind of stylistic elements do I have?
Do I have any Subject/Verb inversion?
How about Caesar sentences?
(These do wonders for your style. Try to incorporate at least one per paragraph! Ask your instructor about these.)

4. Is my pronoun usage correct?
Review Direct and Indirect object pronouns. Am I repeating subject pronouns (yo, nosotros, etc) unnecessarily? (This is bad for style!!)

5. Do I have more than one short sentence, i.e., a sentence with only one verb? Short sentences bring down your style - and your grade! Use sentences with more than one clause. Use Relative Pronouns (que/quien, etc) to join short sentences.

6. Am I repeating unnecessarily?
(Read the following sentences about España)

El año pasado fui a España. España es un país bonito. Me gusta España mucho. La comida en España es deliciosa. (Horrible, ¿sí?)

7. Is the vocabulary I used pertinent to my theme? Have I made use of the sophisticated vocabulary in the text?

8. Have I used the grammar points studied? Have I used them correctly?
Is my paragraph or formal composition just a bunch of words without any of the grammar points we studied?

9. Have I used the correct tense and mood?

10. Have I used the correct word? Watch out for false cognates!

11. Is my transition too abrupt or non- existent?
Have I used  transition expressions to make my ideas flow smoothly?

(See list of   "TRANSITION WORDS" and expressions in Writing Assignments)

12. Have I constructed my sentences so that meaning is not obscured?

13. Have I developed my ideas fully without straying?

14. Is my style adequate for the level I am in?
Or is it a bit simplistic for my level?

15. Did I edit diligently?

If you pay attention to these questions, I guarantee you that your style will greatly improve and so will your grade. Use these ideas for both your weekly paragraphs and your formal composition.

Happy writing,

Ganesh

© Copyright - Ganesh D. Basdeo - All rights reserved.

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