What grammar and punctuation issues do you, as a writer, want to focus on this semester?
During this semester, I would like to focus on a variety of grammar and punctuation issues that I have noticed I continually make. Some of these issues would be run on sentences and sentence/paragraph structure. Throughout my writing career, I have always had problems with long sentences. I have trouble breaking up my sentences into more clear and concise ones. I believe I have this problem because I tend to get too carried away with my thoughts and want to explain everything I can at once. In the past I have tried to proof read my work endlessly in order to avoid this, because it is habitual at this point. I want to work on slowing down my writing this semester and really focusing on one thought at a time. Combined with that, I have a very hard time breaking up paragraphs. This trails from my problem with breaking up sentences. I combine too much information into one thought, making multiple thoughts and straying away from the main idea. My impatience and run on mind is something I would very much like to focus on this semester.
An example of a run on sentence to me would be:
"On any given day, I like to go for a run, walk my dogs, watch my favorite show and cook for my family because it is what makes me content."
I would like to avoid this sort of sentence structure this year in order to emphasize my ideas more and expand on each one, instead of bunching them together.
Pieces of grammar I would like to focus on using more in my writing this semester are dashes and semi colons. I like the idea of using these forms of grammar because I feel as if they would make my writing and tone more precise. To use dashes or semi colons is to define your ideas more clearly, and I feel that is something I struggle with.
An example of a sentence with a dash:
"I like to spend time in the park-- the children playing brings me joy"
An example of a sentence with a semi colon:
"Matt didn't make many friends growing up; Matt was a very shy child."
To use semi colons and dashes in my pieces of writing would allow me to make my messages more clear and detailed. It would allow me to do this, while also allowing me to stay on topic.
Also to put it simply, I very much want to grow on my knowledge of grammar and its discipline. I feel that I am a very good writer who struggles with the basic rules. I like to free write but I also understand the importance of the fundamentals. While this course may be challenging for me, I am excited to grow as a writer.
