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[CliffsTestPrep] American BookWorks Corporation - CliffsTestPrep PCAT_ 5 Practice Tests (2006, Cliffs Notes)

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Part I: Introduction<br />

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Does one paragraph grow out of another? Do I use transitions?<br />

Are my examples, evidence, and details in the best order? Do I save the strongest point for last?<br />

Language and Style<br />

Rely on a dictionary and your word-processing tools to help you with language and style. Ask yourself some questions.<br />

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Have I chosen my words carefully? Am I sure of meanings?<br />

Is my language appropriate to my purpose, tone, and audience?<br />

Have I avoided wordy expressions? euphemisms? clichés?<br />

Have I avoided pretentious language?<br />

Have I used idioms correctly?<br />

Have I followed the guidelines of current written usage?<br />

Have I avoided sexism in the use of nouns and pronouns?<br />

Have I preferred the active to the passive voice of the verb?<br />

Sentence Construction<br />

Use your editing and revision skills to make sure your sentences are well constructed. Keep the following in mind:<br />

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Are my sentences correct? Have I avoided both fragments and run-ons?<br />

Are my modifiers in the right place? Do I have any dangling modifiers?<br />

Do my subjects and predicates agree in number?<br />

Do I keep parallel constructions parallel?<br />

Have I avoided short, choppy sentences?<br />

Do I combine sentences effectively?<br />

Are my sentences varied in length and structure? Do I avoid monotony?<br />

Grammar<br />

Keep in mind the principles of grammar and usage.<br />

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Have I checked spelling (including correct plural forms), hyphenation, capitalization, correct use and consistency<br />

of verb tense agreement (nouns, verbs, pronouns), pronoun cases, pronoun antecedents, use of adjectives with<br />

linking verbs, and comparative degrees of adjectives and adverbs?<br />

Does my punctuation make my meaning clear? Have I followed punctuation rules?<br />

Commas with nonrestrictive elements; no commas with restrictive elements<br />

Commas with interrupting elements, with introductory phrases and clauses when necessary, between series<br />

items, and between independent clauses<br />

Have I checked the following?<br />

Correct use of periods and question marks<br />

Correct use (and not overuse) of exclamation points<br />

Correct use of semicolons and colons<br />

Correct use (and not overuse) of dashes and parentheses<br />

Correct use (and not overuse) of quotation marks<br />

Correct use of other punctuation with quotation marks<br />

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