Professor Amy Breaks It Down

A well-crafted thesis statement is a great way to prepare your reader for the information they are about to receive. After all, that’s the point of any writing project -- to communicate something, in this case, in a written format. More than a topic sentence, a thesis statement provides a snapshot of what your essay or research paper will contain. It also serves as a valuable touchstone for you, as the writer, as a step in your final editing phase, to ensure you have accomplished the goals you set out when you began drafting. So what exactly is a thesis statement? Put simply, it’s a one-sentence summary of your entire paper. The thesis statement is typically the last sentence in your introductory paragraph, which allows you to transition the reader to the information contained therein. The reader therefore knows what information will be presented in your paper and what to expect.  Thesis statements: Sum up your entire essay in one sentence. Include specific and detail...

Colons and semicolons are among the most misunderstood of punctuation marks. Used correctly, these little grammatical joiners can add readability and interest to your writing. Try these ideas for making your writing even more accessible, understandable and impactful:  1. Use a semicolon to join two complete sentences that are related in some way. ↪ EXAMPLE:  I was driving too fast; I was issued a traffic citation. 2. Use a semicolon to help you use transitions in your paragraphs and sentences. ↪ EXAMPLE:  I am the family shopper; however, everyone in my home has an opinion on what to purchase. 3. Use a semicolon to separate complex items in a list when using commas would create confusion. ↪ EXAMPLE:  I went on vacation with Laura, my sister; Ryder, my nephew; and KC, my brother-in-law. 4. Use a colon at the end of a complete sentence to emphasize information. ↪ EXAMPLE:  There is one thing I always purchase: cereal. 5. Use ...

A new version of the APA Style Guide is on its way! Click here to learn how you -- and your writing -- will be affected. To view a video detailing the updates, click here .

Happy New ... edition of the APA style guide? Just when you thought you had finally mastered the guidelines of the 6th edition, the APA 7th Edition style guide has arrived! Fortunately, the new changes should simplify the layout, citation and referencing process. Highlights include: Paper Format No more running head on students' papers More flexibility when it comes to students' title pages Simplified student paper header levels Grammar One space after each period at the end of a sentence Singular use of "they" permitted In document, broader use of quotation marks rather than italics will increase visibility References Page Most titles, including webpages, are in italics rather than quotation marks No place of publication is required for book references No database name or URL are required for online database references "Retrieved from" is no longer required before any URL During this time of transition from 6th to 7th ...

One of the last steps in the writing process is proofreading and editing. It's important to give your writing one last look before submitting to ensure you have made your points, included appropriate punctuation, and structured your writing in a way that will make it easy for your reader to access the information provided and complete the communication process. Ask yourself these questions to ensure your final draft is error-free: Does my thesis statement accurately summarize my paper?  Have I included concise topic sentences in each of my paragraphs, as well as a concluding sentence that restates the thesis at the end of my document? Is my punctuation perfect?  Is my word choice appropriate for my audience? Will the reader know what I am trying to tell them?  Have I provided adequate transitions throughout my document to enable my reader to follow my thought process? Plan to do a final proofread of your document only once, preferably after ...

One subject that often comes up in college-level composition classes is the correct usage of pronouns. This is not just because pronouns are essential to effective writing, which they are, nor because these stand-in words are any more or less important than other grammatical techniques. Being able to use pronouns correctly not only ensures your writing will be readable and A+-worthy; it also can be a great way to reach out and create dialogue (pun intended) between students that allows everyone a space in which to embrace who they are. The standard guidance on pronouns, historically, included the single pronouns he/she/it, to be used when writing from a third-person point of view, and they/them/their as the plural counterparts. Today's spectrum of identity requires a bit more nuance. Accepted practice now holds that they/them/their be used in the singular, third-person when referring to someone who self-identifies in a way that is more non-binary. Just as understanding of th...

If the weekend is a great time to binge watch your favorite shows, it's an even GREATER time to hone your critical thinking and writing skills by viewing an interesting documentary film, program or series. This weekend, I'm watching the documentary film "Hot Coffee" via Amazon Prime. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Remember, as in any English class, complete sentences, spot-on grammar and appropriate comma usage are expected. Pass the popcorn, and enjoy!

Author, Nobel Laureate, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Professor If there is a book that you want to read,  but it hasn't been written yet,  you must be the one to write it. ~ Toni Morrison

A common concern of students is the difficulty of beginning a writing project. This week, inspired by my teenage son's love of all things automobile, we break down the writing process into 10 simple steps that you can use in English class and beyond. The following will help you move from the dreaded blank white screen to a well-structured writing project in no time flat. Pick an interesting topic — for example, cars. Determine a purpose for the paper — for example, to persuade the reader why blue cars are better than red cars. Decide what “point” you are trying to make — for example, blue cars are better than red cars because ______.  Compose some paragraphs to support and illustrate why blue cars are better.  Perform a Google search for “why are blue cars better.”  Find three articles in which the author agrees with you or has interesting insight on the superiority of blue cars over red.  Quote those authors and passages in your writing to sup...

Today we tackle one of the most basic, if the most misunderstood, elements of grammar: the (dreaded?) comma. Commas were the bane of my freshman English class, wherein the professor vowed (and followed through on the promise) to automatically reduce by a letter grade any assignments that featured a misused, misplaced or missing comma. Not using commas at all is not typically an option in academic writing, so let's break down several ways to use commas correctly. Use a comma to separate items in a series. EXAMPLE: I bought bananas, apples, and grapes at the market. Use a comma to separate introductory material from the rest of a sentence. EXAMPLE: As the family shopper, I bought bananas, apples, and grapes at the market. Use a comma to separate, with a coordinating conjunction, two independent clauses. An independent clause is part of a sentence that could, if necessary, stand alone as a complete sentence on its own. When we speak of coordinating conjunctions, think of FAN...

Greetings, friends and students! If you have landed on this page, one of two things has happened. Either you incurred a typographical error while inputing a different address -- oops! -- or you are in search of an easy and efficient way to master English grammar and writing. Writing is not something that is specific to writers. In other words, no matter your choice of profession or educational program, you will be required to write something at some point. Maybe you have been out of class for a minute, or a while, or years. Perhaps you are realizing that there's more to "this writing thing" than you had anticipated. Regardless of your reasons for visiting, I trust that the information contained herein will be of assistance to you, whether your writing journey involves academic, personal or professional writing. Even natural-born writers struggle occasionally. Each week, we will discuss a different topic relating to English grammar, writ...