Question

A11: EDITING PUNCTUATION (PART 2)

With Track Changes turned on, edit the punctuation errors in the following sentences. I have told you how many errors are in each sentence. Then, using the comment feature in Microsoft Word, note the section number from the Chicago Manual of Style that supports each edit and write a short explanation of why the edit is needed. I’ve included an example for you so you can see how I would like your answers formatted. All of the answers come from Chapter 6 of the Chicago Manual of Style. I’ll give you 0.5 points for each correct edit and 0.5 points for your comment that notes the correct section of the manual and provides a short explanation. (Questions adapted from RPW Chapter 16)

EXAMPLE     (2 errors) If you want to make them resent you,[SJ1] ignore them when your children scream for attention.[SJ2]

1. (3 errors) Murray’s book provides a lot of useful information including: performance graphs, helpful hints, company listings by performance, and general rules for successful investing. The book contains ratings of over four hundred companies with detailed information on the most important aspects of company performance.
2. (2 errors) If a new firm gets into trouble the venture capitalist may have to replace managers (or even founding entrepreneurs), to get the company back on the road to success.
3. (3 errors) Sacco and Vanzetti who may have been innocent were executed in 1927 seven years after their conviction.
4. (2 errors) Of all the short stories I’ve read—and I’ve read many!—, I have enjoyed Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”.
5. (2 errors) The years 1975-1979 involved the birth and growth of the summer blockbuster and many happy moviegoers discovered a love of cinema during this time.
6. (1 error) The number of elderly people is already large and there will be a large increase in the number of people who will be faced with decisions about their care.
7. (2 errors) All the first-year students, who are on academic probation, are required to see the dean.
8. (1 error) As competition has increased and firms have become mass producers of small products some industries have moved away to the less-complicated job-order system.
9. (2 errors) The observation and notes from September 27, 2020 were mainly from the boy’s mother who relayed information about her children to the case worker.
10. (2 points) In 25–50 words, explain the difference in meaning between these two sentences:
    My friend Myla will be starting college next month.
    My friend, Myla, will be starting college next month.

Answer 1

Murray’s book provides a lot of useful information,[SJ1] including[SJ2] performance graphs, helpful hints, company listings by performance[SJ3] and general rules for successful investing. The book contains ratings of over four hundred companies with detailed information on the most important aspects of company performance.

If a new firm gets into trouble,[SJ1] the venture capitalist may have to replace managers (or even founding entrepreneurs)[SJ2] to get the company back on the road to success.

Sacco and Vanzetti,[SJ1] who may have been innocent,[SJ2] were executed in 1927,[SJ3] seven years after their conviction.

Of all the short stories I’ve read [SJ1]and I’ve read many![SJ2], I have enjoyed Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”.

The years,[SJ1] 1975-1979 involved the birth and growth of the summer blockbuster and,[SJ2] many happy moviegoers discovered a love of cinema during this time.

The number of elderly people is already large,[SJ1] and there will be a large increase in the number of people who will be faced with decisions about their care.'

As competition has increased and firms have become mass producers of small products,[SJ1] some industries have moved away to the less-complicated job-order system.

All the first-year students[SJ1] who are on academic probation[SJ2] are required to see the dean.

The observation and notes from September 27, 2020,[SJ1] were mainly from the boy’s mother who relayed information about her children to the caseworker[SJ2].