Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Relationship: Good Writing and Good Reading (Part 5)

There have been 4 previous blog topics that talked about the relationship between good writing & good reading (July 8th, July 26th, August 15th, and September 11th). Did you know that you can improve your reading skills just by reading for at least 30 minutes daily every single day?

Today, let's take a look at some other blogs that are out there. Here are a few that I've been reading. Feel free to tell me about some of your favorite blogs or new ones that you've seen recently! (Did you know that if you do a Google search for any word, such as "restaurant," and add the word "blog" after it, you'll get tons of matches?!)

Mayo on the Side: Michael Mayo, a columnist for the Sun-Sentinel, adds flavor to the news. His posts are usually entertaining or thought provoking and you can easily add your comments on his blog!

FloriDUH: If you're looking for wacky stories that are somehow connected to Florida, visit this blog! It's sure to make you chuckle.

TV Plus: Sun-Sentinel columnist Tom Jicha talks about TV, what's on, what's coming, what to watch, and what to avoid. Do you agree with his opinions? Share your thoughts on his blog.

The Beat: Check out this Sun-Sentinel blog that focuses on music, art, film, television, and anything else that entertains!

Which blogs have you visited? Is it something you'd go back to in the future? Tell us about it!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Tell me a story - September's edition

We haven't had a "Tell me a story" topic in a while! In fact, it's been over a month. So I think it's time to write & have some fun! (To see past blog topics with the "Tell me a story" theme, read the responses, and add your comments, visit these links: May 21st blog, June 3rd blog, July 2nd blog, August 7th blog.)

Here's how the "Tell me a story" topics work. I'll start you off with a portion of a sentence. From there, you can take the story in any direction. Remember to be creative and correctly write your sentences. Everyone should start with the part you see below.

Upon stepping onto the airplane, Mr. Ramirez asked the flight attendant . . .

Friday, September 26, 2008

Writing: Let's End Hunger (Part 1)

Have you ever heard of a website called freerice.com? It's a great site with 2 main goals: to provide education to everyone for free and to help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free. How nice would it be to help others while helping yourself?

On that site, you can play vocabulary games. For every question that you answer correctly, the freerice.com website will donate 20 grains of rice through the United Nations' World Food Program to help end hunger.

Your task is to visit the site (freerice.com), play a vocabulary game (or even a few of them), and then report back on your experience! Did you enjoy the site? Was the vocabulary easy or difficult? How many games did you play? How many games did you win by answering correctly?

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!

Please share your name and your favorite day of the week.

For example:

Lourdes Perez, Sunday

Friday, September 19, 2008

Writing - Problem Phrases (Part 4)

Here's the next installment of problem phrases so you can improve your writing and speak!

Problem phrase: All walks of life
The phrase "all woks of life" is incorrect.
Reason: This phrase does not apply to oriental cooking.

Let's look at a correctly-written example.

At any international airport, such as Miami, you will see people from all walks of life.

Give it a try! Can you use it correctly?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Writing - Problem Phrases (Part 3)

Let's continue on with our examination of some problem phrases. Knowing how to use these items correctly will make your writing and speaker even better!

Problem phrase: Couldn't care less
Rule: Be sure to make it negative.
The phrase "I could care less" is incorrect.

Here's an example of how that phrase is used correctly.

I'm not a fan of broccoli. I couldn't care less about how it's cooked. I know I will never like it.

Now you try!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Writing - Problem Phrases (Part 2)

The next problem phrase that you should know about (and be able to use correctly) is below.

Problem phrase: Used to
Rule: Do not omit the "d."
The phrase "use to" is incorrect.

Here's an example of it being correctly used.
I used to love eating ice cream every night.

Now you try it!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Writing - Problem Phrases (Part 1)

In writing (and even speaking), it's important to use your words and phrases correctly. This next series of blog posts will focus on some commonly misused phrases. These items are ones highlighted on the Weber State University webpage.

Problem phrase: Supposed to
Rule: Do not omit the "d."
The phrase "suppose to" is incorrect.

I was supposed to go running today, but the rain stopped me.

Try using it correctly in a sentence!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Vocabulary - Use It Or Lose It (Part 14)

It's been a while since we had a "Vocabulary - Use It Or Lose It" topic, so let's pick that up again! Good writing has varied word choice, so working on expanding vocabularies is always something we should do!

Take a look at the word list (shown below) and pick one word that you're not already familiar with in your day-to-day vocabulary. Use an online dictionary (such as this one: http://www.merriam-webster.com) to define it. Post the word, its part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.), and the definition. Be sure to look through what others have posted! It'll help all of us improve our vocabularies!

Abrogate
Blasphemy
Credible
Enigma
Harbingers
Labyrinthine
Nuzzle
Plaudit
Reprehensible
Tardy

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Relationship: Good Writing and Good Reading (Part 4)

So far, we've had 3 previous blog topics that talked about the relationship between being a good writer and a good reader (July 8th, July 26th, and August 15th). Everyone can improve their reading skills and should read for at least 30 minutes daily.

So let's use this as an opportunity to read something and then write about it! You can read anything you'd like (a book, magazine, website, etc.). Here are a few suggestions in case you're looking for something.

Fort Lauderdale area news

West Palm Beach area news

Orlando area news

After you've read something, post your response and tell us what you read! Remember to write those sentences correctly! :-)

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Commonly Misused Words: Shutter and Shudder

With hurricane season upon us, this next set of commonly misused words is quite appropriate. Even though the words "shutter" and "shudder" have similar pronunciations, they have very different meanings. Let's take a look! (Be sure to visit the July 9th post, the July 15th post, the July 22nd post, and the August 12th post if you'd like to see previous topics about commonly misused words and participate in those activities.)

The word "shutter" is generally used as a noun. Think of the shutters you put on your home when a hurricane is predicted to happen. (It can also be used as a verb if you're going to "shutter" something up.) Examples of both uses are below.

Example ("shutter" as a noun): We put metal hurricane shutters up on our windows.
Example ("shutter" as a verb): My neighbors are going to shutter their windows tomorrow.


The word "shudder" can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it means a small shake or vibration. As a verb, it means to shake.

Example ("shudder" as a noun): There was a shudder in the car as we drove on the bumpy road.
Example ("shudder" as a verb): Sitting in the very cold room, John shuddered.


Now it's your turn. Pick one of those words and use it correctly in a sentence.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Writing - Using Hyphens Correctly (Part 8)

Here is the final, but perhaps most important installment of hyphen usage. This last rule is probably the one that you'll use the most often.

Rule: Use a hyphen to join two or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun.
*** Notice the part that says "before a noun." That's the key to this rule!

Examples:
Mr. Moore loves chocolate-covered peanuts.
(The term "chocolate-covered" is acting as a single adjective and is describing the noun, "peanuts.")

James Patterson is a well-known author.
(The term "well-known" is acting as a single adjective and is describing the noun, "author.")

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If, however, the compound modifiers come after a noun, they are not hyphenated.

The peanuts were chocolate covered.
The author was well known.


What do you think of this final rule on using hyphens? It may seem a little confusing to use a hyphen when the adjective comes before the noun and not when it comes after it. But I bet with some practice, it won't be too bad! Do you agree?

Friday, September 5, 2008

Writing - Using Hyphens Correctly (Part 7)

Just like the blog topic from August 29th, this next one is going to focus on using hyphens correctly when it comes to numbers. But this relates specifically to fractions.

Rule: Fractions written as words need to be hyphenated.

Examples: one-fifth, two-thirds, nine-tenths

Give it a try! Imagine that you're looking at a glass of water and that glass is only partially full. Write a sentence to tell everyone what fraction of the glass is full.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Writing - Using Hyphens Correctly (Part 6)

The next rule to know about hyphen usage is below.

Rule: Use a hyphen with the suffix -elect.

(A suffix goes at the end of a word. In this particular case, the suffix means chosen for office but not yet in it. For example, when the presidential election happens in November, the next president will be chosen. Between that time and when the person officially takes office in January, he can be referred to as the "president-elect.")

Examples:
Mr. Jones is the president-elect for the student government at his school.
Kathy may be the treasurer-elect if she wins the home owners' association election.

Have you heard, seen, or read that term before? Did you know that a hyphen was needed?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Writing - Using Hyphens Correctly (Part 5)

As we continue on with our blog discussions about using hyphens correctly, we reach part 5. (Who knew there were this many "rules" for hyphen usage? I certainly didn't!)

Rule: Use a hyphen between a prefix and a capitalized word. (Remember that a prefix is a word part that comes at the beginning of the word. For more information on prefixes and to see a list of some common ones, click this link or this one!)

Examples:
My mother loves to study the pre-Civil War era.
Charlie spilled spaghetti sauce on his white T-shirt.
When it comes to computers, I am very pro-Dell.
Some parts of the world have anti-American feelings.

Tell me what you think about this rule for hyphens? Does it seem logical? Do you think you can incorporate it into your writing (when necessary)? Did you know about this rule before? Have you seen this used correctly in other things you've read lately?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Writing - Using Hyphens Correctly (Part 4)

Here's the next bit about using hyphens correctly so your writing is the best it can be.

Rule: Use a hyphen with terms that involve numbers and letters.

Examples (Part 1): early-1980s, mid-1990s, late-2000s

Example (Part 2): The Olympic gymnast, Nastia Luiken, scored high-9s on her routines in order to win the gold medal.

Now it's your turn. Write a sentence that correctly illustrates this rule for using hyphens.