©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Write for
Write for Work will help you get a job and communicate
on the job. Unlike standard English texts, Write for Work
is a practical guide that focuses on successful workplace
communication. Here are three reasons why this book is
just what you need.
1 It’s complete: Write for Work covers every important area related to
2 It’s easy to use: With the guidelines and examples in Write for Work,
3 It’s versatile: You can use Write for Work for all of your communication
workplace communication, from writing clear e-mail messages to
interacting with coworkers.
you will learn and practice important skills step-by-step. You’ll find this
book especially helpful if you’ve struggled with writing in the past, or if
you are new to the language.
needs in school, in training, or on the job. Write for Work has you
covered now and for years to come.
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1
Section I:
Understanding the Basics
The chapters in Section I answer two important questions: How can I
do my best workplace writing? And what are the important parts of effective
writing?
1 Your Company Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Your first task in Write for Work is to think about
the company you either work for or would like to
work for.
2 The Writing Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The next step is to learn about the process you
need to follow when you write on the job.
3 The Seven Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Finally, you will learn about the important
qualities or traits in all effective writing.
2
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Corbis
Not For Sale
Corbis
“Look for an occupation that you
like, and you will not need to work
for a single day in your life.”
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
—Confucius
1
Your Company Profile
Are you a student preparing for your first job or an experienced worker
retraining for a different one? Or maybe you’re a company employee looking to
be promoted or explore new directions.
This chapter will help you think about your chosen career by creating a
company profile. You can profile either
■■the actual company you work for or
■■an ideal company you would like to work for.
Learning Outcomes
1 Profile a company you
work for or one you
would like to work for.
2 Write, using your
company profile.
Plan your profile carefully. It will be the focus of your work in many later
chapters. If you’re a welder, you’ll be writing and talking about welding, and if
you’re a nursing student, you’ll be writing and talking about nursing.
What could be more natural than writing about your chosen field? Get ready
to do some serious career planning and a little writing.
Glossary Terms
career
a job or profession that you
choose; the course of your
working life
Not For Sale
company profile
a description of a company
that you work for or would
like to work for
3
1 Profile a company you
work for or one you
would like to work for.
Not
For
Sale
Creating Your
Company
Profile
A company profile identifies a company, explains what it does, tells how many
people work there, and so on. Developing a profile helps you to think carefully
about a company’s purpose, its goals, and its challenges. In short, it helps you to
see the company up close and personal. See the sample profile of StaplePro, Inc.,
below.
1.What is the name of your company, and where is it located?
I work for StaplePro, Inc., 37 Seattle Drive, Elkhorn,
Wisconsin 53121.
2.What products does it make, or what services does it provide?
StaplePro makes heavy-duty staples used to attach subflooring
and plywood and light- and medium-duty staples used to attach
trim work.
3.How many people work there? Who are they? What kind of jobs do
they do?
StaplePro employs 95 people. They are mostly high school
graduates, and many of them speak both English and Spanish. We
have management, production, and warehouse workers.
4.Who is your supervisor, manager, or immediate boss?
My supervisor is Elaine Bergot, daughter of the owners.
5.What is your job title, and what does your job involve?
I am a shipping assistant. I load trucks with finished product as
well as unload supplies delivered to the company.
6.What kinds of writing do you have to do on your job?
I fill out forms recording what materials come into and
go out of the factory. I also explain any problems or
special circumstances in short reports.
4
Corbis
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Learning Outcome
Profile Create a profile for the company that now employs you, or for a different
company in your field (real or imagined).
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
1. What is the name of your company, and where is it located?
2. What products does it make, or what services does it provide?
3.How many people work there? Who are they? What kind of jobs do they do?
4.Who is your supervisor, manager, or immediate boss?
5.What is your job title, and what does your job involve?
6.What kinds of writing do you have to do on your job?
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5
Learning Outcome
2 Write, using your
By developing a profile, you’ve thought a lot about a company, and you’ve
learned how to create one type of workplace writing. Your profile also provides
information (people, places, products, and problems) that you will use to
practice and improve your communication skills.
Reflect Complete each of the sentence starters below to think even more about
your company. (Include at least two ideas for each starter.)
The strengths of your company are . . .
The challenges your company faces are . . .
The ways you can help your company are . . .
The ways your company can help you are . . .
6
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
shutterstock.com
company profile.
Not
For
Taking a Closer
Look Sale
at Your Company
Corbis
“Writing and rewriting is a
constant search for what one
is trying to say.”
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
—John Updike
2
The Writing Process
You’re at work or in school, and you need to complete a piece of writing. So
you boot up your laptop. You type. You print. You’re finished—at least, so
you think.
Unfortunately, good writing seldom, if ever, works that way. No one gets it
completely right the first time. Writing can’t be rushed if you want to do your
best work. You must use the writing process to write, revise, and edit your work
until you get it right.
The steps in the writing process include prewriting, writing, revising,
editing, and publishing. This chapter will help you follow these steps and do
your best writing.
Prewrite
Write
Revise
Edit
Publish
Learning Outcomes
1 Understand prewriting.
2 Learn about writing a
first draft.
3 Appreciate the
importance of revising.
4 Understand editing.
5 Learn about
publishing.
6 Use a writing process
checklist.
Identify your subject, purpose, and audience.
Choose a form and collect information.
Communicate your ideas.
Check your writing for clarity
and completeness.
Check your revised writing
for correctness.
Not For Sale
Share the formatted final copy.
Glossary Terms
writing process
the steps a writer follows to
complete an effective piece
of writing
clarity
easiness to understand or
follow
7
1 Understand prewriting.
“Writing comes
more easily
if you have
something to
say.”
—Sholem Asch
Glossary Terms
Not
Sale
PrewritingFor
Identify your subject, purpose, and audience.
Choose a form and collect information.
During the first step in the writing process, prewriting, you complete a basic
plan for your writing. First, you identify your subject, purpose, and audience.
Then you decide on the form of your writing and collect information about your
subject. The questions that follow will help you establish the subject, purpose,
audience, form, information, and organization of your writing.
Prewriting Questions
1.What is the specific topic of your writing?
Subject
2.Are you writing to inform or to persuade?
Purpose
3.Who will read this writing?
4.Will the reader be receptive or resistant
to your message?
Audience
5.What type of writing should you complete:
an e-mail, a letter, a summary, or a report?
Form
inform
share information, explain
persuade
try to convince someone to
agree with your viewpoint or
opinion
6.What facts and details do you need to include?
7.What is the best way to arrange the information?
Information
Organization
receptive
in favor of, supportive of
resistant
not in favor of, opposed to
1. 2. 8
Respond After reviewing this page, explain why prewriting is such an important
step in the writing process. Give two reasons.
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Learning Outcome
Understanding the Parts of an E-Mail
Learning Outcome
1 Understand the parts
E-mail messages, even short ones, have a number of important parts. These
basic parts are listed and demonstrated in the model below.
of an e-mail message.
Send
Attach
Send to
Fonts
To:
Colors
Save As Draft
StaplePro Employees
Cc:
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Subject Subject:
Welcome Ruth Ann Morel
Greeting
Good morning:
Reason for writing
Please join me in welcoming Ruth Ann Morel to the position of
evening supervisor.
Details
Ruth Ann comes to StaplePro from Michigan, where she has had
seven years of experience as a manufacturing supervisor. She will
begin work on September 22, replacing Ray Ramirez, who recently
retired.
Closing
I will be on hand to introduce Ruth Ann to the evening employees.
Let’s all do whatever it takes to welcome her.
Thank you,
Randy Noel
Personnel
Review Answer the following questions about the e-mail above.
1. How are the “subject” and the “reason for writing” sentence related?
2. How are the “reason for writing” sentence and the “details” related?
Not For Sale
50
shutterstock.com
Not For Sale
“Opportunity is missed by most
because it is dressed in overalls and
looks like work.”
5
E-Mail
E-mail is the workhorse of business. It is used regularly to communicate
within a company and with other companies. E-mail provides a permanent
record of communication, and it can carry photos, videos, blueprints, and
much, much more. A well-written e-mail gets the job done, while a poorly
written one clogs up the works.
This chapter focuses on helping you write, revise, and edit e-mail
messages. Here are a few starting points:
■■Fill in your subject line first and remember to review the line before
sending the message.
■■Add any attachments next so you don’t forget to later.
■■Carefully write, revise, and edit your message so that you communicate
clearly, without embarrassment.
■■Fill in the “To” line last so that you don’t send the message until it is ready.
Taking a little more time before you click “send” means that your
message will be that much stronger. Writing strong e-mail messages will
empower you and your company.
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
—Thomas Edison
Learning Outcomes
1 Understand the parts
of an e-mail message.
2 Review e-mail features
and functions.
3 Understand how to
design messages for
easy reading.
4 Revise an e-mail
message.
5 Edit an e-mail
message.
6 Use a checklist to
improve e-mail quality.
Glossary Terms
workhorse
something (or someone) that
performs dependably and
gets the job done
empower
supply with skill or ability
49
Write Imagine that you have just started working for your company. Your
supervisor has asked you to write an e-mail message introducing yourself to your
coworkers. Include a subject, a greeting, your reason for writing, follow-up details,
and a closing.
Send
Attach
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
To:
Cc:
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Subject:
E-Mail Etiquette
As you write your message, follow these tips of e-mail etiquette.
•
•
•
•
Be positive and polite.
Write a clear subject line.
Use complete sentences.
Proofread your work.
•
•
•
•
Don’t type in ALL CAPS or all bold.
Avoid texting abbreviations.
Avoid inappropriate humor.
Avoid odd fonts.
Not For Sale
51
Not
For
Completing
an E-MailSale
Header
and functions.
Send
Attach
An e-mail message has two main parts: (1) the header and (2) the content. The
header is located at the top of the message.
For each e-mail header, complete the “To” line with the address of the main
receiver (or receivers) of the message, the “Cc” line for other receivers, and the
“Subject” line with the topic of the message. Be clear and specific in the subject
line.
The following sample was created for an e-mail about reserving a room for
a training session. Note how the subject line offers enough information, not just
“CPR Training.”
Fonts
Colors
Note:
Save As Draft
To:
[email protected]
Cc:
[email protected], [email protected]
Subject:
Complete the
“Cc” line if you
need to copy
the message
to other
people.
Room Schedule for CPR Training
Glossary Terms
header
Write Review the set of facts that follow. Use that information and the example
the first part of an e-mail,
identifying the receiver and
the subject of the message
above to complete the e-mail header below.
Facts: You need to e-mail a coworker, Rudy Castro, about a problem with
tomorrow’s delivery to Smith Motors. Rudy’s e-mail address is rcastro@
sazelectric.com. The message should be copied to your manager, Jan Bice. Her
address is [email protected].
content
information in the main part
of an e-mail message
Send
Attach
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
To:
Cc:
52
shutterstock.com
Subject:
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Learning Outcome
Learning
Outcome
2 Review e-mail features
and functions.
e-mail features
2 Review
Write Review the set of facts that follow. Use that information and the example
on the previous page to complete the e-mail header below.
Facts: You need to e-mail two customers, Janice Fowler and Mildred Baker,
about a new supplier of roses that your greenhouse is working with. Janice’s
e-mail address is [email protected]; Mildred’s address is mbakers@
floristsplus.com. You don’t need to copy the message to anyone.
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Send
Attach
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Understanding Your Options
When you send or receive an e-mail message, you will use a series of options
along the toolbar at the top of the header. Clicking on an option allows you to
perform that action.
Create Mail
Reply
Reply All
Forward
Print
Delete
Send/Receive
Create Mailn This option allows you to create a new message.
Replyn This option allows you to respond to the sender.
Reply Alln This option allows you to respond to the sender and
anyone who received the original e-mail message.
Forwardn This option sends the message to people who didn’t
receive the original e-mail.
n
Print This option creates a hard copy of the message.
Deleten This option moves the message to a deleted folder.
Send/Receiven This option sends your message and checks for new mail.
Practice Call up an e-mail message you have sent or received in school or at
work. Review and click on the different options to see how each works.
Not For Sale
53
3 Understand how to
design messages for
easy reading.
Not
Sale
Designing For
for Easy Reading
E-mail messages should be easy to read and understand. If all of your important
details are buried in a single, thick paragraph, your reader may not get your
point. So use short paragraphs (two or three sentences) and employ design
features such as headings, lists, and white space to make your information
clearer and easier to read.
1. Headings sum up the main points.
2. Lists provide ready details.
3. White space separates paragraphs and makes information easy to grasp.
Note how these three design elements make the following e-mail easy to read
and understand.
Writing Tip
Using headings, lists,
and white space
compels you to organize
information, so your
points are clear to both
you and your reader.
Send
Attach
To:
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
Ms. Jamir
Cc:
Subject:
Welcome Aboard
Dear Ms. Jamir:
Headings help
the reader
find key
points.
Lists make
information
easy to follow.
White space
makes the
message
easy to read.
Congratulations on your promotion! I know that with
your help, the marketing department will show continued
growth. Here’s an overview of your new position.
Job Duties
As we discussed, your duties will include the following:
1. Overseeing marketing campaigns
2. Coordinating team assignments
3. Providing weekly progress reports
A more detailed explanation of duties will be provided at
our 9:00 meeting tomorrow morning. You will also receive
a manager’s handbook and an explanation of benefits. I
look forward to meeting with you then.
Sincerely,
Lana de la Vega
Marketing Director
54
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Learning Outcome
Write Imagine that you have just hired an assistant. Write an e-mail that
congratulates the person, provides job duties, and gives next steps. Make sure to
use headings, a list, and short paragraphs separated by white space to make your
message easy to read. (Use your company profile, pages 5–6, for details.)
Send
Attach
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
To:
Cc:
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Subject:
Not For Sale
Tech Connection You can complete this assignment using an e-mail program if
your instructor agrees.
55
4 Revise an e-mail
message.
Not
Sale
ReviewingFor
and Revising
E-Mail
Workplace e-mail messages should be carefully reviewed and revised before
they are sent. Unclear ideas should be rewritten, missing information added,
unnecessary information cut, and misplaced information moved. Consider the
e-mail that follows.
Send
Attach
To:
Revising Moves
There are four basic
revising moves:
� Adding
� Cutting
� Rewriting
� Moving or
reordering
information
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
Cc:
Subject:
December Shop Meeting
Mechanics and Technicians:
On Tuesday, December 2, we will have our monthly shop meeting. At
the end of the meeting, a representative from the insurance company
will answer any questions you may have.
We will discuss three topics: Holiday schedule. We will also talk about
our new health insurance plan and about the status of our 401K plan.
Please bring the pamphlet you received about the health plan to the
meeting. And, yes, a temporary power outage occurred last Tuesday.
Thanks,
Joel Smith
Manager
Glossary Terms
revising
improving a first draft by
adding, cutting, rewriting, and
rearranging material
Read/Respond Read and answer the following questions about the e-mail
message above.
1. What information could be added to the first sentence to help workers successfully attend the
meeting?
2. What sentence is misplaced, and where in the message should it be moved?
3. What paragraph could be rewritten using a list?
4. What sentence could be cut because it is unrelated to the subject?
56
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Learning Outcome
Revise Rewrite the e-mail on the previous page so that it is clearer, easier to
read, and more complete. Here are the changes you should make:
■■Add a place and time for the meeting mentioned in the first sentence.
■■Move the misplaced sentence in the first paragraph to its correct position.
■■Rewrite the second paragraph, using a list.
■■Cut the unrelated sentence in the last paragraph.
Send
Attach
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Make sure the
word groups
in your list are
parallel, or
stated in the
same way. (See
372.5.)
Not For Sale
57
5 Edit an e-mail
message.
Correction Marks
Not
Sale
Editing anFor
E-Mail
All your e-mail must be clear and correct. An error-filled e-mail reflects badly
on the sender and the company by frustrating or even offending the reader.
Good editing can remedy these problems.
Correct Read about the top five error types in e-mail messages. Then edit the
sentences in the boxes below, correcting the errors. Use the correction marks
listed to the left.
delete
d
capitalize
D
lowercase
1. Emoticons and abbreviations: For business e-mails, avoid
emoticons : ) and trendy abbreviations (IMHO).
insert
StaplePro considers you a valued customer. : )
,
?
add comma
add question
mark
word add word
.
add period
spelling
switch
I had to LOL when I saw the increased sales.
2. Capitalization errors: Make sure to capitalize the first word in
a sentence and all proper names: people, companies, cities, and
so forth.
i think sarah and janice should go to chicago for the regional meetings.
the joneses, owners of jones manufacturing, came friday.
3. Typos: Watch out for spelling errors from typing too fast.
A new shpment of heavy-duty staples arived this morning.
A better sugestion would be an adition to the warehuse.
4. Wrong word: Watch especially for to, too, and two; there, their,
and they’re; and its and it’s.
Its obvious that their are to many errors in this e-mail.
Its good that to of our nurses brought their training kits.
5. Missing apostrophe: Use an apostrophe with nouns to show
ownership (Leon’s car, the cats’ water bowl).
Terrys arc welder and Lynnes mask are missing.
Mrs. Campbells speech went well, as did Ms. Eldericks.
58
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Learning Outcome
Edit In the following e-mail message, find and correct the types of errors listed
on the facing page. There are two examples of each error type, making a total of
ten errors. (The first error is corrected for you.)
Send
Attach
To:
Fonts
Colors
Save As Draft
StaplePro Employees
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Cc:
Bcc:
Subject:
Quarterly Inventory Check This Saturday
Good morning:
This saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, staplepro will conduct its quarterly inventory
check. The warehouse supervisors and I will lead the inventory teams. Plese provide any
asistance the inventory teams require of you.
After this check, the paper inventory forms will be discontinued. All shipments in and out
must be inventoried using the hand scanners. Their should be fewer errors when using
StaplePros electronic system. The supervisors will schedule trainings for there employees
who are unfamiliar with the scanners.
Thanks for your cooperation. IMHO, StaplePros new system will help us store and ship
staples more effectively and provide better service for our customers. ; )
Best regards,
Kevin Dooley
Warehouse Director
Not For Sale
59
Not
For
Sale
E-Mail Writing
Checklist
Learning Outcome
6 Use a checklist to
improve e-mail quality.
Use the following checklist as a guide when creating important workplace e-mail
messages.
Checklist
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
1. Prewrite: Gather your ideas and organize them for writing.
Identify your purpose and your reader.
State your main point and gather supporting details.
2. Write: Connect your ideas in the best order using a professional voice.
In the opening, greet your reader and begin your message.
In the middle, present your information in a logical order, using headings,
lists, and white space.
In the closing, be polite and offer next steps.
3. Revise: Improve your message by reviewing it carefully.
Add ideas that are missing.
Check that the organization of your message is easy to follow.
Rearrange ideas that are out of order.
Cut ideas that are unneeded.
Replace general nouns or verbs with specific ones.
Rewrite unclear or choppy sentences.
4. Edit: Check for errors.
Use the information on pages 16–17 as a guide.
5. Publish: Send your message.
Use page 54 as a formatting guide.
60
Corbis
Double-check the spelling of all names.
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
—Anonymous
shutterstock.com
“Spelling is weird,
or is it wierd?”
23
Mechanics
Learning Outcomes
1 Preview the top ten
When you think of mechanics, you probably imagine people tuning up
engines. In terms of language, though, the term “mechanics” refers to
capitalization, plurals, abbreviations, and spelling. These are the “nuts and
bolts” of writing—the mechanical part of the language.
This chapter focuses on the mechanics rules and provides practice for
using them. Learning and applying these rules will help you tune up your
writing and keep it running smoothly. Here are some opening tips:
■■Check for one type of error at a time.
■■Use your spell checker, but remember that it can’t catch words that
are correctly spelled but misused.
■■Have a classmate, friend, or family member read your work and
help you check for errors.
mechanics rules.
2 Review the basics
of capitalization.
3 Study advanced
rules of
capitalization.
4 Review basic rules
for forming plurals.
5 Study advanced
rules for forming
plurals.
6 Review basic rules
for number usage.
7 Study advanced
rules for number
usage.
8 Review rules about
Glossary
Terms
mechanics
the rules of
capitalization,
plurals, abbreviation,
and spelling
Not For Sale
using abbreviations.
9 Review spelling
rules.
10 Use a mechanics
checklist.
249
Learning Outcome
1 Preview the top ten
mechanics rules.
Not
MechanicsFor
Overview Sale
Mechanics deals with capitalization, plurals, abbreviations, and spelling. Here is
a quick overview of the top ten rules of mechanics.
Correct Under each mechanics rule is a corrected example. Beneath it is
another example showing the same error. Correct the second example in the same
way as the first. Use the correction marks to the left.
Correction Marks
delete
d
capitalize
D
lowercase
,
?
insert
Capitalize the names of things and of words used as names. (See 252.1, 256.1.)
bill gates
sergey brin
microsoft
I told mom to call your dad.
google
I told dad to call your mom.
add comma
add question
mark
word add word
.
Rule 1: Capitalize proper nouns and words used as names.
Rule 2: Capitalize titles of works and organizations.
Capitalize first and last words in titles and all other words except short
prepositions or articles. (See 256.2–256.4.)
careers in nursing
add period
spelling
switch
die casting today
association of career and technical education
national council for teachers of english
Rule 3: Form plurals with s or es.
Form plurals of most nouns by adding s to the singular form. If the noun ends in
ch, s, sh, x or z, form plurals by adding es. (See page 258.)
s
s
es
es
helper
trail
church
wish
camper
tent
watch
dish
Rule 4: Form plurals with ies.
When a word ends in a y that follows a consonant, change the y to i and add es.
ies
ies
ies
ies
story
pony
baby
lady
family
balcony
phony
worry
Rule 5: Use words for one to nine and numerals for 10 and up.
Use words when writing the numbers one through nine. Use numerals (actual
numbers) for 10 and up. (See 262.1.)
three
seven
11
213
3
7
eleven
two hundred thirteen
5
250
9
thirteen
three hundred forty
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Rule 6: Use numerals for specific forms.
Use actual numbers for money, decimals, percentages, chapters, pages,
addresses, exact times, measurements, or dates. (See 262.3.)
5
6
2
4:15
$ five
six percent
chapter two
four fifteen p.m.
$ six
one percent
chapter three
six sixteen p.m.
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Rule 7: Use abbreviations in tables/charts but spell out words.
Use abbreviations in tables, charts, or graphs where space is tight. In text, spell
words out. The following abbreviations, however, are acceptable in any writing:
Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Jr., Sr., a.m. (A.M.) p.m. (P.M.). (See 266.1.)
Mr.
Dr.
Jr.
a.m.
Mister Jones
Doctor Smith
Clive Lee, Junior
3:03 ante meridian
Missus Oan
Doctor Tyler
Don Hay, Senior
4:55 post meridian
Rule 8: Use i before e.
Use i before e except after c, or when sounded like a as in eighty and freight. (See
268.1.)
relief
convenience
deceit
weight
releif
conveneince
deciet
wieght
beleif
expereince
conciet
nieghbor
Rule 9: Double some final consonants.
If a word ends in a consonant after a single vowel and the syllable is accented,
double the consonant before adding a suffix that starts with a vowel. (See 268.2.)
ting
ped
ning
ring
rap
plan
occur
commit
tap
stir
refer
compel
Rule 10: Understand the silent e rule.
If a word ends with a silent e, keep the e when adding a suffix beginning with a
consonant. Drop the e when adding a suffix beginning with a vowel. (See 268.3.)
ing
able
less
ful
hope
hope
value
value
care
care
love
love
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251
Learning Outcome
2 Review the basics of
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capitalization.
Capitalization I
shutterstock.com
Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (adjectives formed from
proper nouns).
The owner, Lynn Taylor, would like to thank Rankin Technologies.
She really has a strong Brooklyn accent.
252.2 First Words
Capitalize the first word in a sentence and in a direct quotation.
Advertising staffers gathered for the usual Monday meeting.
Ms. Beggs began, “A lie may take care of the present, but it has no
future.”
ote: Also capitalize the first word of a saying, a slogan, a motto, or dialogue
N
when it appears within a sentence.
Marsha believes the saying “All’s well that ends well.”
252.3 First Words in Lists
Capitalize the first word in each item in a list typed in an outline style.
Glossary
Terms
proper noun
the name of a
specific person,
place, thing, or idea
(capitalized)
proper adjective
an adjective based
upon the name of
a specific person,
place, thing, or idea
(capitalized)
salutation
greeting; the line
that begins “dear”
complimentary
closing
the polite ending
that comes before
the writer’s name,
often including the
word “sincerely”
252
Come to the meeting prepared to do the following:
1. Share your thoughts on the latest building plan.
2. Explain the changes to the original blueprint.
3. Provide an updated cost analysis.
252.4 Salutation and Complimentary Closing
Capitalize the first and all major words in the salutation of a letter, but only the
first word in the complimentary closing.
alutation: Dear Rosa,
S
Closing:
Best wishes,
Dear Production Manager:
Sincerely yours,
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252.1 Proper Nouns and Proper Adjectives
Using Capitalization I
Correct In the following sentences, correct the capitalization errors. To
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
capitalize a letter, draw three lines under it (t). To lowercase a letter, draw a
slash through it (T).
1. At the meeting, Shakira said, “an opportunity ignored is an opportunity Lost.”
2. We employ both american and canadian editors for our Newsletter.
3. The Reason for the delay is that mr. Jansford hasn’t submitted the Form.
4. Al jackson asked, “are you pleased with your current Microchip Supplier?”
5. a first Runner-Up was announced, as well as the Winner.
Correct In the following letter, correct the capitalization errors. To
capitalize a letter, draw three lines under it (t). To lowercase a letter, draw a
slash through it (T).
1
Dear Mrs. Sanchez:
2
Thank You for giving me a tour of Mount zion Care Center. After visiting
3
your facility, I’m more eager than ever to join your Staff.
4
Please find enclosed the following Documents:
5
• My résumé
6
• My references
7
• A newsletter article about my work experience
8
I would Very Much appreciate an opportunity to speak with you about
9
nursing positions at mount zion. Please call me at 555-4352 or e-mail
10
me at [email protected].
11
Sincerely Yours,
12
13
14
Gina davis, LPN
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253
Learning Outcome
3 Study advanced rules
Not For Sale
of capitalization.
Capitalization II
shutterstock.com
Capitalize the first word in a complete sentence that follows a colon when that
sentence is (1) a formal statement, (2) a quotation, or (3) a sentence you want to
emphasize.
It was Sydney Harris who said this about computers: “The real danger
is not that computers will begin to think like people, but that people
will begin to think like computers.”
254.2 Organizations
Capitalize the name of an organization or a team and its members.
Toledo Mud Hens
Republican Party
American Indian Movement
Business Products Association
254.3 Particular Sections of the Country
Words that indicate sections of the country are proper nouns and should
be capitalized; words that simply indicate direction are common nouns and
should be lowercased.
Many businesses are moving to the sunny South. (section of the country)
Businesses move south to cut fuel costs and other expenses. (direction)
254.4 Abbreviations
Capitalize abbreviations of titles and organizations. (A number of other
abbreviations are also capitalized. See pages 266–267.)
FTC
BBB
P.A.
YWCA
SSA
OSHA
CEO
Dr.
254.5 Numerical Designations
Nouns used with reference numbers or letters are often capitalized in
business writing.
Flight 709
Model 312
Form 411
Appendix B
254.6 Letters Used to Indicate Form or Shape
Capitalize the letters used to indicate form or shape.
B-pillar
Glossary
Terms
abbreviation
a shortened form of
a word or phrase
254
A-frame
O-ring
T-bar
L-bracket
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254.1 After a Colon
Using Capitalization II
Correct In the following sentences, correct the capitalization errors. To
capitalize a letter, draw three lines under it (t). To lowercase a letter, draw a
slash through it (T).
1. The reece-King printing company has the following motto: a satisfied customer is our best
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Advertisement.
2. I am a big fan of the chicago bulls.
3. Our Products sell best on the west coast and in the midwest.
4. Three TSA instructors prepped the new Agents.
5. A u-valve broke, spilling oil on my t-shirt.
6. The carlson convention center will host this year’s meeting of the gccs: The gulf coast
conservation society.
7. The American association of entrepreneurs (aae) uses this slogan: we make the future.
8. We used many modified l-brackets to build the a-frame house for koa, the kampground of
america.
9. Click on the link and enter your Username and Password.
10. The fbi sent the cia two documents about pow-mias.
Write For each item below, follow the directions, using correct
capitalization in your sentences.
1. Write a sentence that includes a colon followed by another sentence you want to emphasize.
2. Write a sentence that refers to a team and includes an abbreviation of an organization.
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255
shutterstock.com
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Capitalization III
Capitalize words like dad, mother, and judge when they are part of a title
that includes a personal name, or when they are substituted for a name. Do
not capitalize these words if they come after words such as my, your, his, or
her.
Hi, Aunt Mae! (Aunt is part of the name.)
My aunt is a doctor.
The senator said his favorite legislator was Senator Hubert Humphrey.
Ask Mom to stay for dinner.
256.2 Titles
Capitalize the first and last word of a title and every word in between
with the following exceptions: articles (a, an, the), short prepositions, and
coordinating conjunctions.
Write for Work
Journal of Nursing
“Careers in Food”
256.3 Formal Titles
Capitalize the first letter of the important words in an employee’s title
when it comes before that person’s name. No capitalization is needed when
the title comes after the name.
Marketing Manager Diane Barnhart will give her report at today’s
meeting.
Diane Barnhart, the marketing manager, will give her report.
Also capitalize the formal names of departments within a
company.
Research and Development
Human Resources
256.4 Titles of Specific Courses
Words such as history, business, science, and technology are proper nouns
when they are used in the titles of specific courses but are common nouns
when they name a field of study.
Ms. Ott teaches Spanish and Geography 101. (title of a specific course)
Which professor teaches the biology course? (a field of study)
256
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256.1 Words Used as Names
Using Capitalization III
Correct In the following sentences, correct the capitalization errors. To
capitalize a letter, draw three lines under it (t). To lowercase a letter, draw a
slash through it (T).
1. I asked dad if I could borrow his copy of Write for Work to use in business
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correspondence 101.
2. When the department Chair called, I told him about psychology 101.
3. Shaneal Robshaw, Head of the business department, gave an interesting speech.
4. rabbi Coen is comparing the torah, the new testament, and the koran.
5. Retu Juneja, Associate Professor, teaches mostly Writing courses.
6. Hello, senator. Thank you for coming to speak to the marketing department.
7. Our Representative, Paul Clovis, has a new book entitled Making a difference in A Crowd.
8. I bet your Mom knows that the first five books of the bible are genesis, exodus, leviticus,
numbers, and deuteronomy.
9. Director of operations Juan Ventura oversees the production department.
10. If aunt Lupita ever wrote a book, it would be titled Fifty reasons to Shop.
Write For each item below, follow the directions, using correct
capitalization in your sentences.
1. Write a sentence that includes a word (uncle, doctor, cousin, etc.) substituted for a person’s
name.
2. Write a sentence that names the title of a book.
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257
Learning Outcome
4 Review basic rules for
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forming plurals.
Plurals I
shutterstock.com
258.1 Formed by Adding s
book . . . books pen . . . pens
258.2 Compound Nouns
The plurals of special compound nouns are usually formed by adding s or es to
the important word in the compound.
sister-in-law . . . sisters-in-law
secretary of state . . . secretaries of state
258.3 Nouns Ending in ch, s, sh, x, and z
The plurals of nouns ending in ch, s, sh, x, and z are made by adding es to the
singular.
business . . . businesses
wish . . . wishes
fax . . . faxes
258.4 Nouns Ending in y Preceded by Consonants
The plurals of common nouns ending in a consonant and then a y are formed
by changing the y to i and adding es.
phony . . . phonies
balcony . . . balconies
The plurals of proper nouns ending in y are formed by adding s. (The
department has three Marys, two Randys, and four Bobbys.)
258.5 Nouns Ending in y Preceded by Vowels
The plurals of nouns ending in a vowel and then a y are formed by adding only
an s.
key . . . keys
bay . . . bays
258.6 Nouns Ending in o Preceded by Vowels
The plurals of nouns ending in a vowel and an o are formed by adding only an s.
rodeo . . . rodeos
zoo . . . zoos
258.7 Nouns Ending in o Preceded by Consonants
Glossary
Terms
compound noun
a noun formed
from two words
either joined or
hyphenated
258
The plurals of most nouns ending in a consonant and then an o are formed by
adding es.
potato . . . potatoes
embargo . . . embargoes
Exception: All musical terms ending in an o form plurals by adding only an s.
soprano . . . sopranos
duo . . . duos
piano . . . pianos
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The plurals of most nouns are formed by adding s to the singular.
Using Plurals I
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Write For each of the following words, write the correct plural form.
11. camera
1. picnic
12. bill of sale
2. editor
13. Davy
3. editor in chief
14. navy
4. church
15. tray
5. rope
16. Romeo
6. ax
17. mother-in-law
7. story
18. tax
8. day
19. lash
9. crate
20. daisy
10. rodeo
Correct Correct each plural error in the following sentences by circling the
incorrect form and writing the correct form above it.
1. The miners used to lead ponys into the quarrys.
2. The altoes sang soloes accompanied by pianoes.
3. I took three photoes of the newly installed balconys.
4. The two saxs make completely different sounds.
5. How many of you are sister-in-laws?
6. Add two dashs of sea salt to the potatos.
7. After five meetinges, the secretary of states decided against war.
8. Your class has two Tonies and three Randies.
9. Though they met just dayes ago, they seem like old friends.
10. The rodeoes always featured sopranoes singing our national anthem.
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259
Learning Outcome
5 Study advanced rules
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for forming plurals.
Plurals II
shutterstock.com
The plurals of symbols, letters, numbers, and words discussed as words are
formed by adding an apostrophe and an s.
Using &’s and %’s in place of the words and and percent will save room
in this report. Don’t forget to cross your t’s. Avoid using too many and’s in
your writing.
It is okay to omit the apostrophe if leaving it out does not cause
confusion. Also, spelled-out numbers do not require an apostrophe.
DVD’s or DVDs
fives and sixes
260.2 Nouns Ending in f or fe
The plurals of nouns ending in f or fe are formed in one of two ways: If the
final f sound is still heard in the plural form of the word, add only an s,
Plural ends with f sound: proof . . . proofs; safe . . . safes
If the final f sound becomes a v sound, change the f to ve and add s.
Plural ends with v sound: shelf . . . shelves; life . . . lives
260.3 Nouns Ending in ful
The plurals of nouns ending with ful are formed by adding an s.
four cupfuls
six pailfuls
When referring to separate cups or pails full of something, use four
cups full or six pails full.
260.4 Irregular Spelling
Some English words form a plural by taking on an irregular spelling; others
are now acceptable with the commonly used s or es ending.
Foreign Words
alumnus . . . alumni
datum . . . data
index . . . indexes
radius . . . radii (radiuses)
260
English Words
child . . . children
mouse . . . mice
foot . . . feet
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260.1 Symbols, Letters, Numbers, and Words Discussed as Words
Using Plurals II
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Write For each of the following items, write the correct plural form. Use a
dictionary if necessary.
1. self 2. calf 3. octopus 4. foot 5. woman 6. capful 7. goose 8. CD 9. half 10. four Correct Correct the plural errors in the following sentences by circling the
incorrect form and writing the correct form above it.
1. My writing improved when I removed the extra theres.
2. The Is and the 1s look the same.
3. The thiefs opened both safes, stole the money, and ran for their lifes.
4. I measured four cupfuls of flour and added a few handfulls of peanuts.
5. The alumnuses were photographed in the cafeteria.
6. The codes all ended with two-digit even numbers, especially ten’s and
twenty’s.
7. The chefs baked enough cakes to fill two shelfs.
8. The Marketing Department personnel evaluate themselfs each year.
9. The team of oxes nearly stepped on a pair of mouses.
10. She needed more money to pay her taxs.
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261
Learning Outcome
6 Review basic rules for
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number usage.
Numbers I
Borman818 from Flickr
Words are normally used for the numbers one to nine, and numerals (actual
numbers) are used for the numbers 10 and over.
one
four
eight
12
530
2,113
When several numbers appear in the same sentence or paragraph and
refer to similar items, keep them in the same style.
Four vice presidents and twelve managers will conduct the sixteen
meetings.
The three tool attachments cost $1.85, $1.42, and $.59.
(To keep all three the same, use $.59, not 59¢.)
262.2 Dates
In letters and most other business writing, dates are indicated by the month,
day, and year with a comma separating the figures.
June 15, 2002
The military and most European companies use the day-month-year system
with no commas.
5 June 2002
262.3 Numbers in Different Forms
Use numerals to express numbers in the following forms: amounts of money
used with symbols ($ or ¢), decimals, percentages, chapters, pages, addresses,
exact times, identification numbers, statistics, measurements, dates, and
enclosures in a business letter. Spell out ordinal numbers.
Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 (but twenty dollars)
Decimals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.25
Percentages . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 percent
Chapters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 7
Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 287–289
Addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7100 Second Avenue
Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:30 p.m., 8:00 this morning
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (but eight o’clock)
Identification numbers . . . . Serial No. 3126598
Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a vote of 23-4
Measurements . . . . . . . . . . 24 mph, 2 tsp., 6 feet, 9 meters
Enclosures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enclosures 2
Ordinals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . first, second, twenty-third
262
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262.1 Writing Numbers
Using Numbers I
Correct In the following letter, correct errors in number usage. Cross out
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the incorrect form and write the correct form above it.
1
02/26/10
2
Ms. Agnes Grey
3
Millwood Pharmaceuticals
4
Two Hundred Thirty Green Valley Road
5
Tallahassee, FL 32303
6
Dear Ms. Grey:
7
Thank you for the opportunity to bid on Millwood’s waste removal and recycling needs.
8
Based on the bid requirements, we are submitting the following proposal:
9
• An eight-cubic-yard container for regular refuse, serviced 2 times a week
10
• An eight-cubic-yard container for cardboard, serviced 1 time a week
11
• A total cost per month of one hundred sixty-nine dollars
12
• Extra pickups at thirty dollars each
13
As Tallahassee’s leading waste collector, Boniface serves more than three
14
hundred organizations. References and brochures are enclosed for your review.
15
Ms. Grey, I look forward to your response. Please call me if you have any questions.
16
Sincerely,
17
Robert Estavez
18
Sales Representative
19
Enclosures three
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263
Learning Outcome
7 Study advanced rules
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for number usage.
Numbers II
Kossy@FINEDAYS’ from Flickr
Spell out the number one in addresses (One Elmbrook Blvd.). You may spell out
even, half, and quarter hours in text, but do not use a.m. or p.m. in this case.
quarter to four
nine o’clock tonight
half past two
264.2 Abbreviations and Symbols
Use numerals with abbreviations and symbols.
7°C
4 lbs.
3 oz.
2 tsp.
12'6"
5 ft.
9%
264.3 To Begin a Sentence
Use words to express numbers when they begin a sentence.
Twelve customers have complained so far.
If this rule creates an awkward sentence, reword the sentence.
Clumsy:Seven hundred forty-two employees signed up for
dental care last year.
Better: Last year, 742 employees signed up for dental care.
264.4 Before a Compound Modifier
Unless they cannot be expressed in one or two words, use words for numbers
that precede a compound modifier that includes another number.
She sold twenty 35-millimeter cameras in one day.
The prescription called for 120 25-milligram doses.
You may use a combination of words and numerals for very large
numbers.
6-8 million
2 billion to 2.9 billion
7 trillion
$6-$8 trillion
264.5 Hyphenating Numbers
Hyphens are used to form compound modifiers indicating measurement. They
are also used for inclusive numbers and for fractions when written out.
Glossary
Terms
compound
modifier
an adjective or
adverb formed
from two words,
hyphenated
264
a 500-mile flight
the years 2001-2002
a two-thirds majority
a three-hour drive
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264.1 Addresses and Time
Using Numbers II
Correct Correct the number errors in the following sentences. Cross out
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
the incorrect form and write the correct form above it.
1. At four o’clock p.m., the national debt passed twelve trillion dollars.
2. Read pages two hundred one to two hundred two.
3. Once the temperature reached thirty two˚ F, I bought ten lbs. of sidewalk salt.
4. We have 18 5-inch plates and 20 6-inch plates.
5. The deep end of the pool is fourteen’ six”.
6. The three hundred seventy six-mile journey began with a five-minute stop at the gas station.
7. Add two oz. of vanilla and two tsp. of sugar.
8. Please take 2 five hundred-milligram tablets.
9. Meet me at ½ past 9 o’clock p.m.
10. I bought five lbs. of flour for one dollar and fifty-three cents.
Revise Rewrite the following sentences so that they do not begin with
numerals. To avoid an awkward sentence, you may rearrange the words.
1. 17,328 students were admitted to the university this year.
2. 1/3 of my classmates come from China, and about 1/6 come from Thailand.
3. 7,389 masons and bricklayers attended the conference in Chicago.
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265
Learning Outcome
8 Review rules about
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using abbreviations.
Abbreviations
shutterstock.com
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or a phrase. In general, use
abbreviations only in tables, graphs, charts—places where space must be
conserved. The following abbreviations, however, are acceptable in any form of
writing:
Mr.
Ms.
Mrs.
Dr.
Jr.
a.m. (A.M.)
p.m. (P.M.)
In the body of a letter or a report, spell out the names of states,
countries, months, days, or units of measure. Also spell out state names and
the words Avenue, Street, Road, Company, and similar words when they are
part of a proper name. Use words rather than signs or symbols (&,%,#,@).
A Closer Look
If terms such as Company or Corporation are abbreviated in an
official company name, use the abbreviated forms (Co. or Corp.)
when referring to the company in your writing.
266.2 Acronyms
An acronym is a word formed from the first or first few letters of each word in
a compound term. Periods are not used with acronyms.
Glossary
Terms
abbreviation
a shortened form of
a word or phrase
acronym
a word formed from
the first or first
few letters of a
group of words and
pronounced as a
word (for example,
radar, NASA)
initialism
a word formed
from the first or
first few letters of
a group of words
but pronounced as
individual letters (for
example, FBI, CIA)
266
LAN . . . local area network
radar . . . radio detecting and ranging
TARP . . . Troubled Asset Relief Program
scuba . . . self-contained underwater breathing apparatus
266.3 Initialisms
An initialism is similar to an acronym except that the initials are pronounced
as individual letters.
FDA . . . Food and Drug Administration
ICC . . . Interstate Commerce Commission
SUV . . . sport-utility vehicle
Spell out a lesser-known term the first time you use it, followed by its
acronym or initialism in parentheses. Once the term has been identified in this
way, you may use just the abbreviation.
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266.1 Acceptable Forms
Using Abbreviations, Acronyms,
and Initialisms
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Choose Indicate which of the following abbreviations would be appropriate
in the body of a letter or report. Write “yes” for appropriate and “no” for
inappropriate.
11. Ms.
1. Mr.
11. Mon.
12.
Mrs.
2. MI
12.
13. tsp.
UK
3. Sun.
13.
14. Jr.
#
4. Dr.
14. Ms.
15.
a.k.a
5. qt.
15.
16. %
Jr.
6. a.m.
16.
17. Ave.
CA
7. &
17. ¢gal.
18.
8. IN
18.
19. in.
qty.
9. dept.
19. St.
20.
std.
10. p.m.
20. US
Identify Indicate whether each item is an abbreviation, an acronym, or an
initialism.
1. AIDS
11. NYPD
2. FDA
12. km
3. p.m.
13. mm
4. misc.
14. MADD
5. NATO
15. ROTC
6. FBI
16. SUV
7. tsp.
17. HUD
8. pmt.
18. attn.
9. BBB
19. aux.
10. NASA
20. cm
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267
Learning Outcome
9 Review spelling rules.
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Spelling Rules
shutterstock.com
Use i before e except after c, or when sounded like a as in eighty and freight.
deceit
ceiling
belief
piece
Exceptions: This sentence can help you remember eight exceptions.
Neither sheik dared leisurely seize either weird species of financiers.
268.2 Final Consonant
If a single-syllable word (for example, sad) ends with a consonant (d) preceded
by a single vowel (a), double the final consonant before adding a suffix
beginning with a vowel (saddest).
tap—tapping
plan—planner
If a multisyllable word (admit) ends in a consonant (t) preceded by a single
vowel (i), the accent is on the last syllable (ad-mit´), and the suffix begins with
a vowel (ed)—the same rule holds true: double the final consonant (admitted).
occur . . . occurrence
refer . . . referring
268.3 Silent e
If a word ends with a silent e, keep the e when adding a suffix beginning with a
consonant. Drop the e when adding a suffix beginning with a vowel.
hope . . . hopeful . . . hoping
care . . . careless . . . caring
value . . . valueless . . . valuable
love . . . lovelorn . . . lovable
Exceptions: courageous, noticeable, judgment
268.4 y as the Last Letter
If a word ends in a y preceded by a consonant, change the y to i before adding
any suffix, unless the suffix is ing.
worry . . . worrisome . . . worrying
study . . . studious . . . studying
lazy . . . laziness
try . . . tried . . . trying
If a word ends in a y preceded by a vowel, form the plural by simply adding an s.
play . . . plays
268
day . . . days
key . . . keys
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268.1 i Before e
Using Spelling Rules
Correct In the following letter, correct the spelling errors. Circle the error
©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
and write the correct spelling above it.
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Dear Mr. Bennitez:
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Do you have numerous projects on hold because your staff is too busy?
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Consider geting your important projects back on schedule by outsourceing.
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My areas of expertise include the following:
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• Writing, editting, and keyboarding documents
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• Processing maillings from start to finish
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• Developping spreadsheets or fliers
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Outsourceing with me offers the following advantages:
• No long-term emploiment commitment
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• Satisfaction guaranteeed (most reworking at no charge)
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• Confidentiality
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You can put my 10 years of experience in the advertiseing business to work for
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you. The enclosed pamphlet describes my services, equipment, and rates. I have
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also enclosed samples of my work.
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Mr. Bennitez, I can help Nova complete its projects in a timely and professionnal
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manner. I would be available for an interview at your convenience.
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Sincerely,
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Juanita Guiverra
Not For Sale
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Learning Outcome
10 Use a mechanics
Not
MechanicsFor
Checklist Sale
EDIT When you edit your work, use the following checklist to watch for
mechanics issues. If you can answer a question “yes,” check off that item.
checklist.
Capitalization
1. Have I capitalized all proper nouns and words used as names?
2. Have I properly capitalized titles of works and organizations?
Plurals
3. Have I correctly formed plurals with s or es?
4. Have I correctly formed plurals ending in y (stories not storys)?
Numbers
5. Have I spelled out numbers one to nine and used numerals for 10 and up?
6. Have I used numerals for money, decimals, percentages, chapters, pages,
addresses, exact times, measurements, or dates?
Abbreviations
7. Have I avoided abbreviations in text except for Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Jr., a.m.
(A.M.), p.m. (P.M.)?
Spelling
8. Have I applied the rule “use i before e except after c, or when sounded like a
as in eighty and freight”?
9. When adding a suffix that starts with a vowel, have I doubled the final
consonant if the word ends in a consonant after a single vowel and the
syllable is accented?
10. When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel, have I dropped the silent e?
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©UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. No distribution allowed without express authorization.
Checklist