Resources» How to Avoid Embarasing Embarrasing Embarassing Silly Errors
Some errors are hard to correct, because you're not even aware of the fact that you're making them. We'll work this semester on helping you build the skills needed to identify and correct those patterns of error. But other errors are simply the result of carelessness, and there is NO EXCUSE for these errors:

1. Spell the authors' names correctly, and use the correct title for all essays, punctuated correctly. If you're not sure, check the book, the assignment sheet, this website, or ask me.

2. Use a spellchecker ("Obey the red squiggles"). Every word processor comes with a spellchecker these days and, while you shouldn't rely on one, there is no excuse for having typographical errors in your paper.

3. Use a grammar checker ("Obey the green squiggles"). The trick here is not just to make a correction but also to understand what made it wrong. In Word, right-click on the green squiggles and select "about this sentence" to find out what the error is. WARNING! Word's green squiggles can be wrong; check the sentence and use your handbook.

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