(This is a reference sheet that draws on information from strategies as developed by the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, but does not outline the 8--step strategic model explained in their training. See their website for complete information on their model and training.)
C = CAPITALIZATION What to capitalize?
Title - important words, first & last words
Sentences - first word
Quotes - first word inside quotation marks
Proper Nouns - the specific name of a:
O = OVERALL APPEARANCE What to look for?
Spacing - words, sentences, paragraphs, after punctuation
Margins - top, bottom, sides
Indentation of Paragraphs - new topic or new speaker
Title - centered name, class, date
Professional Look - no typos, handwriting errors, or mixture of ink and computer hardcopy
P = PUNCTUATION What to punctuate, and how?
End of Sentence - There are only a few options: period, question mark, exclamation point.
Comma Usage - Use to separate series, lists, clauses, introductory wording, or when a natural pause exists, like before coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).
Semi-colon Usage - The ; is half-way between a , and a . Use it only when clauses on either side of the ; are able to stand alone as independent sentences.
Examples of different sentence types and correct punctuation options follow. This correlates with the KU strategy, PENS, which gives formulas for writing different types of sentences.
Key to Examples:
I = Independent Clause (has subject & verb; stands alone)
D = Dependent Clause (can't stand alone; subordinate conjunction precedes subject & verb)
c = Coordinating Conjunction (remember by FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
The three different sentence types shown below are punctuated in two ways: example 1 uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction and example 2 uses a semi-colon. The formulas follow each example.
1. Compound
eg 1) Ann loves to cook Indian food, so she needs cumin and corriander. I, c I
eg 2) Ann loves to cook Indian food; she needs cumin and corriander. I ; I
2. Complex
eg) Because he had so much experience, the committee chose Joe for the job. D, I
[Note that putting the independent clause first requires no punctuation:
The committee chose Joe for the job because he had so much experience. (ID)]
3. Compound-Complex (3 forms)
eg 1) After the concert ended, Laura found her friends, and she searched for her car. D, I, c I
eg 2) After the concert ended, Laura found her friends; she searched for her car. D, I; I
eg 1) Ricardo composed a poem since he was inspired, but he had no way to record it. I D, c I
eg 2) Ricardo composed a poem since he was inspired; he had no way to record it. I D; I
eg 1) Pat secretly loved Nathan, yet she dated Norton whenever he called. I, c I D
eg 2) Pat secretly loved Nathan; she dated Norton whenever he called. I; I D
S = SPELLING Use one of the following to check spelling:
Spellchecker on Computer
Portable Spellchecker
Dictionary
Proofreader
Spelling Strategies (Rules, Generalizations)