Editing Symbols Editing SymbolsThe symbols below are the ones I commonly use in grading your writing assignments. Appendix B in your text offers information and examples for many of these issues. However, please feel free to let me know if you have questions about these symbols or if you have questions about correcting the errors or weaknesses they indicate.
Syntax (Sentence Structure)
| -cs | comma-splice |
| run-on | run-on sentence |
| frag | sentence fragment |
| ? | confusing sentence |
Style (Word Choice and Phrasing)
| word choice | incorrect word for context |
| ww | wrong word (homonym error: its/it's, then/than) |
| awk | awkward wording |
| ^ | missing word |
Grammar
| s-v | subject-verb agreement error |
| tense | verb tense error |
| pass | ineffective use of passive verb |
| pro | pronoun error or vague pronoun |
| agr | pronoun-antecedent error or other agreement error |
Mechanics (Spelling, Punctuation, and Capitalization)
| sp | spelling error |
| , | comma error |
| ; | semicolon error |
| : | colon error |
| apos | apostrophe error |