(Please save your hard copy for reference later this semester)

... (dotted line under section): content problems, logic problems (usually explained in greater detail somewhere in the reader's notes to the essay)

(wavy line under a word): vague, ambiguous wording/expression

; (semi-colon); see Hacker, 18a.

: (colon): see Hacker, 18b.

x under a word: Wrong word choice (possibly a homonym; usually you have a nuance you don't want, or have missed one you do)

?: see ambig below

agr: Agreement. Subject and verb do not agree in number (singular and plural) (Hacker 10.a-c).

ambig: Ambiguous. The reason usually specified at first occurrence.

antec or ref: Antecedent to which pronoun refers is no longer clear.

apostr: Apostrophe, usage problem (need one or have one you don't need) . The exception to the usual rule of apostrophes comes when you try to write "of it": its hand, its foot -- no apostrophe. The contraction "it's" is the short form of "it is". Sort 'em out and don't confuse with plurals, which require no punctuation marks!

artist agent: Express in terms of what artist does/tries to do (as evidenced by observations you make of the work of art). Solves several problems (no passive voice, no forms of "tobe") and makes for more interesting (and more relevant) writing

cs: Comma splice. You use a comma to join weakly two or more sentences. Either separate out into discrete sentences or use better coordinating punctuation, such as the semi-colon or colon.

dm: Dangling modifier. A word or more often an introductory clause which suggests but does not name agent, which should be the subject of the sentence (Hacker 7c).

dev: Develop, get below the surface, provide an illustration or an explanation. In most cases, this note occurs at a place where you need to show, not just tell. Usually the reader offers a suggestion.

doc: Document, provide a citation from the text.

doc here: Document here (location of documentation is ambiguous).

frag: Sentence fragment (often, verb lacks) (Hacker 14a-c).

fs: Fused or run-on sentence, usually with an ill-starred comma splicing the separate sentences together.

gramm: Grammar problems, usually followed by a cross-reference to explanation of rules that apply and problems that occur in the Pocket Style Manual that you should have on hand for just these occasions

nn: Not needed (often the problem is wordiness, or else redundancy) . Ask yourself why and you'll figure out how to fix problem.

para: Paragraph: A too-long paragraph needs to be broken down into smaller sections with mini-conclusions along the way, to permit reader to follow ideas as they develop; OR your paragraph lacks focus and conclusion.

pass. or pv: Passive voice: a weak sentence construction that leads to repetitive forms of "to be" and lack of clarity regarding agency. Re-structure sentence in simple direct form.

plur: Plural, plurals. Do not confuse with possession by throwing in gratuitous apostrophes (sv).

pt?: Point? Usually at end of paragraph, indicates weak paragraph structure for which point of argument lacks or is unclear.

sp: Spelling: Use spell-check and then edit paper manually for mistakes like "form" instead of "from", which spell-check won't catch.

spt: Use simple, present tense of verb ("He sits" rather than "He is sitting", etc.). Less wordy, far more elegant and active, makes for more interesting sentences.

voice: It isn't clear who is "speaking" here, writer of paper or author/creator whose work you are writing about. Brief directional indications needed (eg., "Homer tells us..." or "From this we can assume...").

wordy: For reasons that are usually indicated, at least at first occurrence