APPENDIX C
General Grading Checklists:
Punctuation, Grammar, Number,
Spelling, Proofreading, Technique,
Strategy, and Formatting
Listed below are general grading symbols and their descriptions. These symbols give you a general idea of how to
improve your writing. You will find more detailed information in your text, particularly in Chapter 16.
Symbol
Explanation
Description
APOS
Apostrophe
Use the apostrophe to show the possessive case of nouns and
indefinite pronouns.
Use an apostrophe to mark the place in a contraction where
letters are omitted.
Bkts
Brackets
Set off in brackets words that you wish to insert in a quotation.
Cln
Colon
Use the colon to introduce a statement of explanation, an enumeration, or a formal quotation.
Do not use the colon when the thought of the sentence should
continue without interruption. If introducing a list by a colon, the
colon should be preceded by a word that explains or identifies
the list.
Cma
Comma
Dsh
Dash
Use the dash to set off an element for emphasis or to show
interrupted thought.
Ex
Exclamation mark
Use the exclamation mark at the end of a sentence or exclamatory fragment to show strong emotion.
Hpn
Hyphen
Ital
Italics
Parens
Parentheses
Pd
Period
Ques
Question mark
Place a question mark at the end of sentences that are direct
questions.
QM
Quotation marks
Use quotation marks to enclose the exact words of a speaker
or, if the quotation is short, the exact words of a writer.
SC
Semicolon
621
ren77791_appC_621-624.indd 621
12/9/09 2:56:27 PM
Symbol
Explanation
Description
AA
Adjective–adverb
Confusion
Do not use adjectives for adverbs or adverbs for adjectives.
Adjectives modify only nouns and pronouns; and adverbs
modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Agmt SV
Subject–verb agreement
Nouns and their verbs must agree in number.
AN
Adverbial noun clause
Awk
Awkward
Avoid awkward writing where word arrangements are
unconventional, uneconomical, or simply not the best for quick
understanding.
Dng
Dangling modifier
Avoid the use of modifiers that do not logically modify a word in
the sentence.
Frag
Sentence fragment
Avoid words used as a sentence that are not a sentence.
Pn
Pronoun
Prl
Parallelism
Tns
Tense
Symbol
Explanation
No
Number
Symbol
Explanation
Sp
Spelling
Spell words correctly. Use the dictionary.
Caps
Capitalization
Capitalize all proper names and the beginning words of
sentences.
Symbol
Explanation
Description
Align
Align
Line up horizontally or vertically.
Express equal thoughts in parallel grammatical form.
Stet
et . . . .
Let original stand
Don’t delete.
Close
( )
Description
Close up
Close up space.
Delete
Delete.
Insert
Insert space, punctuation, text, or graphic.
Keep together
Keep text and/or graphic together.
Lowercase
Use lowercase.
Caps cap
Capitalize
Make all caps.
Mv L
Move left
Move left.
Del
Ins
^
Keep
LC
lc
⁄
Mv R
Move right
Move right.
Cntr
Center
Center.
New line
Start new line.
Run together
Run text together.
Par
Paragraph
Start new paragraph.
Sp O Spell out
Spell out.
Trp
Transpose
Transpose.
Nl
nl
Run
tr
622
ren77791_appC_621-624.indd 622
Appendix C
12/8/09 9:26:32 PM
Symbol
Explanation
Description
Adp
Adaptation
Adapt to the one reader. Here your writing is above or below
your reader.
Acc
Accuracy
Check for correct information.
Assign
Assignment
Needs to follow assignment.
AV
Active voice
Use active voice.
Blky
Bulky arrangement
Make your paragraphs more inviting by breaking them into
shorter units of thought.
Blame
Blaming
Avoid blaming or accusing the reader.
Chop
Choppy writing
Avoid a succession of short sentences that produce an irritating
effect.
COH
Coherence
Needs to be easier to follow with clear, logical development.
Copy
Copying
Avoid copying or following examples too closely. Organize
around the unique facts of the case.
CTone
Conversational tone
Be natural or less formal in your word choice.
Dis
Discriminatory
Avoid using words that discriminate unnecessarily against sex,
age, race, disability, or sexual orientation.
DL
Dull writing
Bring your writing back to life with vivid, concrete words.
Doc
Documentation
Cite source of information.
Emp2
Emphasis too little
Give appropriate emphasis with placement, volume, words, or
mechanical means.
Emp1
Emphasis too much
Give appropriate emphasis with placement, volume, words, or
mechanical means.
GW
Goodwill
Needs more goodwill.
Intp
Interpretation
Do more than just present facts. Make the data meaningful in
terms of the reader’s situation.
Jargon
Jargon
Avoid using jargon.
Los
Loose writing
Use words more economically. Write concisely.
Neg
Negative
Try wording more positively.
Ob
Obvious
Include only necessary information or detail.
Ord
Order of presentation
Needs clear, logical order.
Org
Organization
Needs clearer, tighter organization with setup and follow
through.
Pomp
Pompous
Use more humble, sincere words.
Pre
Precise
Be more precise or concrete.
RB
Reader benefit
Needs more reader benefit.
Red
Redundant
Avoid unnecessary repetition.
Resale
Resale
Use more resale here.
RS
Rubber-stamp expression
Avoid overused phrases and timeworn words from
the past.
Trans
Transition
Avoid abrupt shift of thought here.
Var
Variety
Vary the words and sentence patterns.
WU
Word use
Use words correctly. Misused words call attention to
themselves and detract from the writing.
WW
Wrong word
Wrong words refer to meaning one word and using
another.
YVP
You-viewpoint
Revise with the reader in mind.
General Grading Checklists
ren77791_appC_621-624.indd 623
623
12/8/09 9:26:33 PM
Symbol
Explanation
Description
O Dir
Directness needed
The opening is too slow in getting to the goal.
O Ind
Indirectness needed
The opening gets to the goal too fast.
O Qual
Quality
The opening could be improved by making it more on
subject, logical, or interesting. It should also set up the rest
of the message.
C Ex
Excess information
You have included more information than is needed.
C Exp
Explanation
More or better explanation is needed here.
C Id
Identification
Completely identify the situation.
C Inc
Incomplete
You have not covered all the important facts.
E AC
Action close
A drive for action is appropriate in this situation.
E AC S
Action strong
This action drive is too strong.
E AC W
Action weak
This action drive is too weak.
E IT
Individually tailored
Make your close fit the one case.
E OS
Off subject
An off-subject close is best for this case. These words recall
unpleasant things in the reader’s mind.
Symbol
Explanation
Description
Lay
Layout
Use standard or specified format.
T
Type
Select a readable font for size and style.
Media
Media
Use a medium appropriate for the reader and the context.
624
ren77791_appC_621-624.indd 624
Appendix C
12/8/09 9:26:33 PM