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February 13, 2001
EXPOSITORY PATTERNS--Part II
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NARRATION
Last week we looked at the comparison and contrast modes of writing. This week we'll discuss narration, or narrative writing.
Narration tells a meaningful story that can be based on fictional or real-life events. A narrator is one who tells such a story.
A narrative can be told from first-person or third-person points of view (I, they/he/she). The writer may recount events experienced in his or her own life or may draw upon observations of others.
Narratives use sequential or chronological order to tell a story. Sometimes the order is not straightforward but instead may use a flashback or premonition technique. In non-fiction writing, the story should be told in such a way that readers will have no problem understanding the flow of events.
Narratives come to a main point or idea. There is a reason for writing a narrative--perhaps emphasizing a writer's epiphany or changed perspective on life. Sometimes the main point is to get readers to look at the world--or themselves--in a different light.
Many types of writing situations may employ narrative writing, including applications for employment or when applying to institutions of higher education--for example, graduate school.
All of us have stories to tell about experiences drawn from life or lessons learned. However, a narrative should make a main or key point that becomes obvious to readers by the time they reach the conclusion.
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SPELLING OR WRITING TIP
Be careful to distinguish between varying word forms which may not reflect the same meaning as the words they resemble:
EXAMPLES:
1. Use "disinterested" to mean impartial or without preference; use "uninterested" to mean unconcerned about something.
a. Marian's a disinterested party to the lawsuit.
b. Jill is uninterested in the lawsuit.
2. Use "percent" with numbers; use "percentage" with modifiers.
a. Studies show that 96% of those surveyed believe in God.
b. That's a high percentage of believers in this survey.
3. Use "respectfully" (often as a closing) to mean respectful or showing respect; use "respectively" to mean in a given or certain order.
a. My client respectfully submitted his claim for damages to this court.
b. Dora's, Tom's, and Russell's claims were filed respectively.
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NEW WORD OF THE WEEK:
CACHE (kash) noun: 1) a hold or hiding place used by pioneers or explorers for storing provisions and other necessaries. 2) A place for concealment. (It's also a computer term.)
Jeremy keeps a cache of chocolate in the pantry.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS
QUESTION: I'm confused about shifting verb tenses. Please evaluate this sentence:
"On January 17, 2001, the caller reported that there are unsafe chemicals stored in the basement."
I could change "are" to "were" to keep the tense from shifting. However, doesn't this change the meaning of the sentence? "Were" indicates the chemicals are no longer there.
GRAMMARCHECK: Although it is generally a good idea to maintain consistency in verb tenses, sometimes a shift is needed to preserve accuracy.
Your original version above is correct.
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QUESTION: Your issues have been very helpful. I'm a teacher in Manaus, Amazon Brasil, and the examples you provide are clear and to the point. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Here's my question. Does "ought" have to be used as "ought to" or can it be used as in the following:
"Ought they park in the driveway?"
-or-
"Ought not they park in the driveway?"
GRAMMARCHECK: Good question. The word "ought" is commonly used as an auxiliary verb followed by an infinitive with "to" in many constructions to suggest duty:
She ought to do her homework before 6:00.
-or-
Benjamin ought to get to work on time.
However, sometimes the infinitive form can be omitted if the sentence is understood in context:
"Should we leave?"
"I suppose we ought to."
However, "ought" used without "to" is considered improper as in your first statement above:
INCORRECT:
"Ought they park in the driveway?"
CORRECT:
"Ought they to park in the driveway?"
The negative form of the verb requires that "not" follow "ought" after which the infinitive form follows:
"They ought not to park in the driveway."
The question form also requires the infinitive:
"Ought they to park in the driveway?"
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QUESTION: I'm COMPLETELY stumped:
"My total hours worked for that period WAS/WERE 87 hours and 50 minutes."
Help!
GRAMMARCHECK: The word "hours" is plural, thus requiring the plural form of the verb ("were"):
"My total hours worked for that period were 87 hours and 50 minutes."
However, make it easier on yourself by rewriting it like this:
"I worked 87 hours and 50 minutes for that period."
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QUESTION: In the following sentence, is "its" or "its'" correct?
"Please review this agreement and call us with questions regarding its content."
GRAMMARCHECK: Since you are showing possession of content by the agreement, the correct form does not take an apostrophe, so your sentence above is correct.
The "it's" form is a contraction for the phrase "it is," and the "its'" form cited above does not reflect accurate usage.
You could rewrite the sentence, too:
"Please review this agreement and call us with questions regarding content."
-or-
"Please review this agreement and call us with questions regarding the content."
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