1. WHAT TO DO WITH THE GREEN SQUIGGLE THAT INDICATES THE SENTENCE IS PASSIVE VOICE?

 

Example of passive voice: For example, the students were introduced to Native-American myths related to the four elements to illustrate cultural meanings associated with the symbols of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water.

 

Example of active voice: For example, the art teacher introduced the students to Native-American myths related to the four elements to illustrate cultural meanings associated with the symbols of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water.

 

2. HOW TO WRITE SUCCINCTLY

 

Reduce words per sentence and break long sentences into 2 sentences:

 

Poorly written: What follows next are the stages in the Harmony Quest project the students underwent to create their VR worlds and complete the project including: conceptualizing and collaborating; designing and creating; and, translating and experiencing.

 

Corrected: There were three distinct stages in the Harmony Quest project. These included: (a) conceptualizing and collaborating, (b) designing and creating, and (c) translating and experiencing.

 

3. ELIMINATE COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSIONS WHERE ONE WORD CAN BE USED FOR 2 or 3 WORDS:

 

come up with (develop)

deal with (concerns)

 

4. COMMA AFTER WHICH:

 

These games would allow the user to earn credits, which could be used to purchase the museum’s artwork.

 

5. DON’T END A SENTENCE WITH A PREPOSITION (to, with, of):

 

Poorly written: I would be interested in how they perceive this as being different from toys that they may or may not be used to.

 

Corrected: I am interested in how they perceive this toy differently from other toys.

 

6. Web or Web site, not web or website

 

7. To check the reading level for teaching handouts that you produce for your future students use Word’s reading level gauge. Here’s how you do this.

 

Display readability statistics

1. On the Word menu, click Preferences, and then click Spelling and Grammar.

2. Select the Check grammar with spelling check box.

3. Select the Show readability statistics check box, and then click OK.

4. On the Tools menu, click Spelling and Grammar.