appendix_finalized

Not following syllabus!!!
Grammar! Punctuation!
Attachment 2--Common Paper and Briefing Errors
“Like Pakistan English is used frequently in industry and in the government.” WRONG
“Like Pakistan, English is used frequently in industry and in the government.” Correct
Not putting commas after dates.
Putting apostrophes in years—“During the 1800’s there were no airplanes.” WRONG
“During the 1800s, there were no airplanes.”
Run-on sentences—“Since 2005, North Korea has continually expressed a desire to enter negotiations
with its neighboring countries and the US, but after each argument or treaty, North Korea has committed
actions which contradict these agreements and bring North Korea’s intentions into question.” WRONG
“Since 2005, North Korea has continually expressed a desire to enter negotiations with its neighboring
countries and the US. Unfortunately, after each argument or treaty, North Korea has committed actions
which contradict these agreements. This brings North Korea’s intentions into question.”
Double words in sentence: “Allow myself to introduce myself.”
Spelling out numbers less than or equal to 10, spell out. Greater than 10, write the number.
“Two hundred seventy three thousand four hundred and ninety seven dollars” WRONG
“$273,497” correct
An “a” sub-bullet without a “b”
Using contractions—do not do it. It is a formal paper.
Common Briefing Errors
- Standing behind podium—do not do it. You should not be reading off notes. That is the only reason to
stand behind a podium. The use of a notecard to assist in “jogging your memory” is acceptable and
advisable, but don’t use it as a crutch. Print only main points in the order you are planning on speaking to
those points. This will help in a smooth flow and to ensure you do not inadvertently delete areas of focus
from your briefing.
- Reading off “the wall”—do not stare at slides projected on wall and read verbatim. Know your
material! You can glance at wall/slides to keep your place and use as memory jogger. You can also use
laser pointer to point out things on a picture or map.
- Exorbitant amount of umms and ahs—practice (chair fly) your brief! Get a buddy to watch and critique
you.
- Shuffling and pounding your feet—you would be surprised how many people did this. It is really loud
and distracting.
- Do not chew gum!
- Do not look at your watch several times throughout brief—have a buddy out in the crowd that signals
time.