Composition Logs

Composition and Reflection Log

Comp Logs are a written record of your grammar, usage and punctuation errors. You will identify them and make a plan to eliminate them from your writing. They will be due three times during semester, and we will try to make time to work on them in class. If we do not have time in class, you are still responsible for  

1.    Using Grammarly and any feedback from me on your essays, read the errors and suggestions noted on essays. This includes comments made by me, and comments/errors marked by Grammarly.

2.    On paper (or in a document on a computer), make a numbered list (see below) of the error type, the error itself (where practical) and how you would correct it (this is impractical where you have to re-write whole paragraphs, so use good judgment).

3.    Don’t just say, “I forgot a comma.” Explain the rule. (Commas go after introductory clauses, etc. You can often use Grammarly to find the rules and Elements of Style to learn how to correct them.)

4.    Choose two of the errors in grammar, usage or style (I suggest the most frequent errors or the most severe) that you wish to eliminate from your writing, and write a reflection that demonstrates you understand the error, how to correct it, and how to apply it to your writing in the future. 

5.    Begin with grammar and punctuation errors. Move on to style and voice suggestions later. 

6.    Repeat this process for each assignment. You should begin to notice fewer of the errors you choose for reflection. 

Example:

Essay 1 (you don’t have to create a table, but your work should be neat).

Error Type	Occurrence	Rule, corrections, etc.
1.     Comma Error	Dairy Queen is a frustrating place to work, it keeps me in a bad mood.	When punctuating two complete sentences, use a period, a semicolon or comma + conjunction.  Correction: Dairy Queen is a frustrating place to work; it keeps me in a bad mood.
2.     Article Error	Ice cream machine	The ice cream machine Most nouns need an article to precede them.

Reflection

Error 1 is called a comma splice. When I was revising, I did not know this rule or take time to check specific punctuation usage. I now understand that I need to have stronger punctuation between two sentences (semicolon, period or add a conjunction to the comma), and will pay closer attention. I plan to begin using Mrs. Chandler’s suggestion of reading my paper backwards, sentence by sentence, to eliminate comma errors.