Table of Contents

Getting Text Right

Punctuation
Rules and Guidelines
Conjunction Junction: Comma Rules for and, but and or
Nonessential vs. Essential: That vs. Which
Punctuation Self-Test

Grammar
Basic Terms and Concepts
Grammar Terms and Concepts Exercise
Mapping Who vs. Whom
Making the Right Choice
Practice Sentences: Who vs. Whom
Other Rules and Guidelines
Grammar Self-Tests

Usage
Rules and Guidelines
Usage Self-Test

RECAP: Comprehensive Self-Test

AP Stylebook Study Guide
AP Style Self-Tests

Spelling
Homonyms and Other Sound-Alikes Exercise
Spelltraps

Copy-Editing Symbols
Copy-Editing Symbols Self-Test
Basic Symbolism
Quality-Control Guide to Writing and Editing

Supplementary Self-Tests
Punctuation/AP Style Test
Grammar/AP Style Test
Usage/AP Style Test
Final Language-Skills Test

Answer Key
Punctuation Self-Test
Grammar Terms and Concepts Exercise
Grammar Self-Test I
Grammar Self-Test II
Usage Self-Test
RECAP: Comprehensive Self-Test7
AP Style Self-Test I
AP Style Self-Test II
AP Style Self-Test III
Homonyms and Other Sound-Alikes
Copy-Editing Symbols Self-Test
Punctuation/AP Style Test
Grammar/AP Style Test
Usage/AP Style Test
Final Language-Skills Test
Exercise: Fact-Checking
Exercise: Tightening
Exercise: Clarity
Exercise: Quotes and Attribution

Index

About the Author

About the Author

Marda Dunsky, an editor, educator and editorial consultant, teaches at the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.

Reviews

Watch Your Words is an affordably priced reference that succinctly covers the basics without a lot of extraneous nonsense. The self-tests and exercises are particularly useful.
*William Huntzicker, St. Cloud State University*

The brevity, layout and ease of use make Watch Your Words an ideal reference guide. It presents important information in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner that will help students solve their issues quickly.
*Brad Schultz, University of Mississippi*