A colleague let me know about this nifty on-line dictionary that gives results from several different sites:
http://www.onelook.com/
It is our new favorite!
Keep writing!
(More posts coming soon!)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday, November 13, 2009
Writing Concise Sentences
The grammar site I wrote about last time was:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm#redundancy
One of my cohorts in teaching social work students writing and I are in love with this grammar site and we adore this particular page, on “Writing Concise Sentences.” It is a goal of mine to get students to write more concisely, to “omit needless words” as Strunk & White state and to “prune the redundant,” as per this web site. I often tell my students "If you can cut out a word(s) from a sentence and the meaning and grammar of that sentence still hold up, cut out that word(s)."
I am going to give just a few examples of the gems of this page.
Beware of:
Personally, I think: use instead: I think
My personal opinion: use instead: My opinion
Refer back to : use instead: Refer to
Small/large in size: use instead: Small/large
Summarize briefly: use instead: Summarize
The future to come: use instead: The future
Phrases to Omit:
NO: All things considered, cognitive treatment is most effective.
YES: Cognitive treatment is most effective.
NO: As a matter of fact, it showed that all subjects had improvement.
YES: All subjects improved.
NO: Because of the fact that they are minors, teens are subject to fewer penalties.
YES: Teens are subject to fewer penalties.
NO: What I meant to say is that social justice is our primary concern.
YES: Social justice is our primary concern.
NO: Needless to say, this was a big breakthrough.
YES: This was a big breakthrough.
Keep writing! Concisely!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Grammar and Writing Resource
A colleague sent me the link to a Grammar and Writing Guide:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
So far, it looks good with helpful information: from the site:
"This index includes 427 references to both the Guide to grammar and Writing and Principles of composition."
For example of part of an entry on the passive voice:
Verbs are also said to be either active (The executive committee approved the new policy) or passive (The new policy was approved by the executive committee) in voice. In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: the subject is a be-er or a do-er and the verb moves the sentence along. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed (The new policy was approved). Computerized grammar checkers can pick out a passive voice construction from miles away and ask you to revise it to a more active construction. There is nothing inherently wrong with the passive voice, but if you can say the same thing in the active mode, do so (see exceptions below). Your text will have more pizzazz as a result, since passive verb constructions tend to lie about in their pajamas and avoid actual work.
Keep writing!
Dr.T.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.
So far, it looks good with helpful information: from the site:
"This index includes 427 references to both the Guide to grammar and Writing and Principles of composition."
For example of part of an entry on the passive voice:
Verbs are also said to be either active (The executive committee approved the new policy) or passive (The new policy was approved by the executive committee) in voice. In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: the subject is a be-er or a do-er and the verb moves the sentence along. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed (The new policy was approved). Computerized grammar checkers can pick out a passive voice construction from miles away and ask you to revise it to a more active construction. There is nothing inherently wrong with the passive voice, but if you can say the same thing in the active mode, do so (see exceptions below). Your text will have more pizzazz as a result, since passive verb constructions tend to lie about in their pajamas and avoid actual work.
Keep writing!
Dr.T.
Monday, November 2, 2009
APA 6th Edition: Corrections
APA 6th Edition has errors and here’s what to do (from APA)
If you are one of the many students (or others) who purchased the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2009) you need to know that there were apparently enough errors to require reprinting. You have several options to get the correct information you need:
Option 1: Corrections Supplement via the web: Go to the APA or APA style homepages on the web to find a link to the corrections supplement:
(www.APA.org or http://apastyle.apa.org). Purchasers can download or print the supplement: the supplement notes all known errors. The PDF version of the corrections supplement is available now.
Option 2: Corrections Supplement by mail. We will send out printed versions of the corrections summary upon request. Please note that the supplement is currently in production, the printed version is expected to be available on November 2.
Option 3: Replacement Copy: After reviewing the corrections supplement and the nature of the text errors, if a purchaser still feels they want a replacement copy of the manual we will provide one at no charge. We expect to begin shipping these replacement copies
on November 2.
IMPORTANT: In order to receive a replacement copy the purchaser will have to return their current copy of the manual (6th edition) to APA directly. The return must be in transit to or received by APA no later than December 15th, 2009. The returned copy requirement is to
protect APA against those first printing copies reemerging on the secondary market and therefore hurting future sales.
We would like to make this return as cost neutral to the customer as possible. We are researching being able to provide pre-paid postage hat purchases can use to return their current copy of the manual. We expect to have this system up and running by November 2.
If you are one of the many students (or others) who purchased the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2009) you need to know that there were apparently enough errors to require reprinting. You have several options to get the correct information you need:
Option 1: Corrections Supplement via the web: Go to the APA or APA style homepages on the web to find a link to the corrections supplement:
(www.APA.org or http://apastyle.apa.org). Purchasers can download or print the supplement: the supplement notes all known errors. The PDF version of the corrections supplement is available now.
Option 2: Corrections Supplement by mail. We will send out printed versions of the corrections summary upon request. Please note that the supplement is currently in production, the printed version is expected to be available on November 2.
Option 3: Replacement Copy: After reviewing the corrections supplement and the nature of the text errors, if a purchaser still feels they want a replacement copy of the manual we will provide one at no charge. We expect to begin shipping these replacement copies
on November 2.
IMPORTANT: In order to receive a replacement copy the purchaser will have to return their current copy of the manual (6th edition) to APA directly. The return must be in transit to or received by APA no later than December 15th, 2009. The returned copy requirement is to
protect APA against those first printing copies reemerging on the secondary market and therefore hurting future sales.
We would like to make this return as cost neutral to the customer as possible. We are researching being able to provide pre-paid postage hat purchases can use to return their current copy of the manual. We expect to have this system up and running by November 2.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Cliches and annoying words
A fun note from: The Marist Institute poll (2009): http://maristpoll.marist.edu/107-whatever-takes-top-honors-as-most-annoying/
Most Annoying Words:
“If you’re like, “whatever,” and someone gives you a mean look, just remember it is what it is – certain sayings rub people the wrong way, you know? Anyway, at the end of the day, who cares?
If the above paragraph thoroughly irritated you, you’re probably not alone. The question is, which word or phrase bothered you the most?
Chances are it was “whatever.” In a recent Marist poll, nearly half of Americans – 47% – said they find “whatever” most annoying. The other sayings weren’t quite so loathed. 25% say they find “you know” most grating; 11% can’t stand “it is what it is”; 7% would like to ban “anyway” from all verbal exchanges; and 2% reported that they could do without hearing “at the end of the day.”
Interestingly, if you’re traveling to the
Keep writing!
Monday, October 5, 2009
How to read a journal article
The response to the title of this entry is “it depends” (the favorite answer in social work!) How you read and the goal of reading an article vary from paper to paper, class to class, professor to professor. It also varies according to your level of education (undergrad versus graduates, first year MSW versus 2nd year versus advanced standing). If you have had coursework in research methods and statistics, you will read the article differently than if you have not. In addition, different students have different skills and abilities when it comes to understanding results.
Reed and Ellis (2003) give some guidelines for beginning social work students and most undergraduates, as follows:
How to read a research article:
1. Read the Abstract, Introduction and Discussion sections first.
2. Abstract: is a short summary of the paper.
3. Introduction: answers the questions “Why was the study done?” “What were the researchers hoping to accomplish?” “Does this study seek to repeat (replicate) another study or fill a gap in knowledge?” “Does this study disprove, update or confirm another study?”
4. Discussion: answers “What did the study find?” “What are the implications of the findings?” “How do the researchers explain discrepancies or unexpected findings?” “Were result marred by mistakes or poor methods?” “Where do we go from here? What’s next?”
5. Next, check the literature review to gain background on the study. “What has been done before?” “How does this study fit in?”
6. Skim the results section.
Generally, look for answers to the following questions as you read the article:
1. Why was this study done?
2. What were the assumptions that guided this study?
3. What have other people said about this issue?
4. What other studies have been done on this issue?
5. How was the study done?
6. How were possible errors accounted for?
7. What are the implications of the results?
8. What are the ethical considerations?
9. What theories were used?
10. How well was this study done?
(Derived from Reed, C. & Ellis, CA. (2003). New Directions for Writers: College Writing and the World of Work. NY: Longman, p. 247-252).
Students in MSW programs have generally had more coursework in statistics and research methods, as well as more experience reading journal articles, than undergraduates. MSW students may be expected to do more than “skim” the results section and should read the entire article. You might want to talk to your professor to determine what you will be expected to understand and critique regarding statistical analysis. It would be great if you develop enough proficiency to critique statistical methods. In addition, it is probably expected that MSW students pay more attention to the methods section of research papers than undergrads and be able to critique this section (Why did the researchers make certain choices? What was good/bad? What might have worked better? Were there errors in the method that might affect the result of the study?). It is always a good idea to try to use peer-reviewed or refereed journal articles in writing your papers. These met a higher standard of excellence than non-reviewed articles. Such articles are reviewed by experts in the field and by editors who do often examine the statistics to insure they were done properly. When you are searching through databases for articles, you can often click on “peer reviewed only” through advanced search features.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The doi and APA
The doi
A student requested I write about the doi, tell what it is, how to find it and how to use it.
Because documents on the internet may be moved around, international publishers developed a system called the doi or “document object identifier.” This number, which always begins with 10, is a number that will permanently mark and follow that document, making retrieval at a later date easier. Not all documents currently have a doi, though they are being assigned over time.
In the past, when you have referenced a journal article using APA (5th edition) you listed the retrieved on date and either the database from where you got the article OR the URL. Now, if there is a doi, you just use that, no retrieval date, no URL, no database name.
The doi’s I have seen are usually fairly easy to find, though some are hidden. I have found them at or near the top or the bottom of the first page of text (which APA recommends), under a copyright statement, or under the publication information. However, sometimes the doi is hidden behind a button (e.g. Article, CrossRef or PubMed button) and you must click on the button to get the doi. Make sure you cut and paste the doi onto your paper, as it is easy to mess up otherwise.
If you find a doi on a journal article, the reference entry will look like:
Washington, G. & Jefferson, T. (2000). Political alliances, past and future.
Journal of American Politics, 17, 33-41. doi 10.1021/2209-6133.22.4.033
(remember to indent every line after the first line within a reference entry 5 spaces- blogspot won't let me do it in the above example).
According to APA 6th edition, the doi can also be found on the database landing page for the article (full record display). It often DOES NOT say "doi" and is a long string of numbers and characters starting with 10.
Keep writing!
A student requested I write about the doi, tell what it is, how to find it and how to use it.
Because documents on the internet may be moved around, international publishers developed a system called the doi or “document object identifier.” This number, which always begins with 10, is a number that will permanently mark and follow that document, making retrieval at a later date easier. Not all documents currently have a doi, though they are being assigned over time.
In the past, when you have referenced a journal article using APA (5th edition) you listed the retrieved on date and either the database from where you got the article OR the URL. Now, if there is a doi, you just use that, no retrieval date, no URL, no database name.
The doi’s I have seen are usually fairly easy to find, though some are hidden. I have found them at or near the top or the bottom of the first page of text (which APA recommends), under a copyright statement, or under the publication information. However, sometimes the doi is hidden behind a button (e.g. Article, CrossRef or PubMed button) and you must click on the button to get the doi. Make sure you cut and paste the doi onto your paper, as it is easy to mess up otherwise.
If you find a doi on a journal article, the reference entry will look like:
Washington, G. & Jefferson, T. (2000). Political alliances, past and future.
Journal of American Politics, 17, 33-41. doi 10.1021/2209-6133.22.4.033
(remember to indent every line after the first line within a reference entry 5 spaces- blogspot won't let me do it in the above example).
According to APA 6th edition, the doi can also be found on the database landing page for the article (full record display). It often DOES NOT say "doi" and is a long string of numbers and characters starting with 10.
Keep writing!
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