appendix_finalized

Attachment 2--Common Paper Errors
Not following syllabus!!!
Write in an active/concise voice. Do not get overly wordy.
Grammar! Punctuation!
“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
- Not following syllabus!!!
- Give me an attention-getter! “Hello, my name is” is mandatory and nice, but it doesn’t really make me
interested in your topic. Get me involved, and wanting to receive your brief.
- 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
6