#8 Designing a composition

We move on to Elements of Composition from today!

Writing a love letter is different from writing a casual essay, which is different from writing something organised. It is essential for the author to think of the shape of the writing before we begin. In this tiny paragraph, I have introduced the topic for the day, moved on to describing my point and then finished it off with an explanation/example.

It is quite easy to get lost in the writing, as I have often felt in the middle. However, taking time to think of the structure, putting it down and then writing a composition on this foundation works wonders!

#7 Participial phrase rule

Not

Being the only son of the house, she won all of his family's love. 

Instead

Being the only son of the house, his family's love was won by her. 

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I realize this mistake is something very common, when I think about it now. You will realize that something is wrong with the statement, but find it tough to point out the mistake. Today, there was gyan!

#6 Using period inappropriately

Not -

The beach was crowded with little kids. Playing with their kites. 
The marathon was a success. Seeing participation from people all over the country. 

Instead -

The beach was crowded with little kids, playing with their kites. 
The marathon was a success, seeing participation from people all over the country. 

You can use it to stress on expression though.

She moved into the darkness. Swiftly. 

#5 Dealing with independent clauses

Bhargav's stories are awe-inspiring; they are based on real life experiences. 

Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses. It is okay to use a full stop as well.

Bhargav's stories are awe-inspiring. They are based on real life experiences. 

One can use the colon to introduce a stop that is less obvious than a full stop. When these clauses are joined by conjunctions, one must stick to a comma. If it is joined by a adverb, go back to semicolon.

John has always been on time; besides, its raining heavily today. 

When the clauses are short and in a flow of tone - it would be an exception to this rule.

Man proposes, God disposes.

#4 Use comma before a conjunction

The tides are high this evening, and I don't feel like talking a walk on the shore. 

Sheila is anxious about her results, but she knows it will all work out. 

However, you don't use comma when the and is connecting something close or immediate. Like..

Take the medicines and drink some water. 

#3 Commas for parenthetic expressions

Seema's exhibition, which was held early May, was awarded the Best Show of the Year prize.

The car, you drove last summer, has just been repaired again. 

--

There is a whole lot of rules for this one about parenthetic phrases - phrases which break the flow, dates, abbreviations like Jr. in names, and nonrestrictive clauses. Essentially, we add commas when the phrase gives new information that can be a separate sentence. 

#2 Use comma to separate three or more terms

Aarti, Akshaya, and Dhanya

Painting, Singing, and Dancing

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This is a HUGE learning for me because I always write - Aarti, Akshaya and Dhanya. I could have sworn that was the only way to do until this minute.. Well.

#1 Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's

1) Follow the rule whatever the consonant.
Greeves's dog
Louis's coat
Exceptions - Ancient proper names (Ex: Jesus, Moses) and words such as conscience

2) Pronominal possessives such as hers, yours, its, theirs and ours are exceptions as well. However indefinite pronouns use apostrophe.
One's game
No one else's bag

3) It's vs Its - It's is a contraction, meaning "it is". Its is a possessive.

PS: Starting today I will be blogging a series of grammar lessons from 'The Elements of Style". The aim is to improve my writing/grammar skills.