Punctuation & Spelling
Numerals
ITHACAN Style
Spot the Error(s) A
Spot the Error(s) B
100
What is the Oxford comma? Do we use it?
The comma after the conjunction in a list; no I bought eggs, milk, cheese [no comma] and bread.
100
Which is written correctly? a. 9 1/2 b. 9 ½
A Do not use special characters. In mixed numbers, place a space between the whole and the fraction. Other notes: Spell out amounts less than one (two-thirds). Use numerals for mixed numbers greater than one.
100
How should you refer to Ithaca College after first reference?
the college
100
# of errors: 1 Head coach Jim Mullins coached the Blue and Gold to its first win of the season.
Head coach Jim Mullins coached the Blue and Gold to their first win of the season. To refer to IC sports teams... -the team/the squad/the South Hill squad are singular. -the Bombers/the Blue and Gold are plural.
100
# of errors: 1 The Bombers won 4-1 against SUNY Cortland.
The Bombers won 4–1 against SUNY Cortland. En dashes are used for ranges. On a Mac, hyphen = - en dash = alt+- (no spaces –) em dash = shift+alt+- (one space on either side of —) SUNY is an example of an acronym that is acceptable on first reference.
200
Do commas and periods that follow quotes go inside or outside the quotation marks?
INSIDE.
200
Name three instances when you would use a numeral less than 10 instead of spelling it out.
Use numerals with -the date -time -percentages -street names -ages -scores -measurements -fractions Never begin a sentence with a numeral: always write it out.
200
# of errors: 1 I bought clothes from stores at The Commons.
I bought clothes from stores on The Commons. Always "on" in this case. Capitalize T and C.
200
# of errors: 1 The class of 2018 will be hosting the Fall Ball.
The Class of 2018 will be hosting the Fall Ball.
300
When does one use a semicolon?
1. In a complex list. Ex. I traveled to Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Ithaca, New York; and Smallville, Kansas. 2. To join two independent clauses without a conjunction. Ex. It was much snow; the students wondered if they would have class.
300
What is the difference between using the phrase "a hundred" and the number 100?
The numeral 100 is used to refer to countable amounts. "A hundred" is acceptable for non-finite amounts.
300
What are the names of the college's two quads?
the Campus Center Quad the Academic Quad
300
# of errors: 2 The Ithacan and the "New York Times" are newspapers, but "How I Met Your Mother" is a television show.
The Ithacan and the New York Times are newspapers, but "How I Met Your Mother" is a television show. Most publications/compositions/works require quotation marks. Newspapers and the Bible are an exception. The Ithacan should always appear in italics, and it's the only thing in the paper to appear as such. (This program doesn't let us do it.)
300
# of errors: 2 President of Ithaca College Tom Rochon said that he wanted to decrease the number of staff cuts.
Tom Rochon, president of Ithaca College, said he wanted to decrease the number of staff cuts. Long titles are lowercased and follow the person they describe. Set them off with commas. If you can remove the word THAT, remove it. (Especially "said that")
400
What is the difference between an en dash and an em dash?
The en dash is used for ranges. Ex. 4–1, Monday–Friday The em dash is used to set off text that could be used as an aside or for emphasis. Ex. It was early December — the ninth, now that I think about it — when I saw the movie.
400
When should you use the percentage sign in a story?
Never. Always write out the word "percent."
400
When do you capitalize the name of a course?
Capitalize course titles that (a) include a proper word (b) is the official title. Ex. a course about Spanish literature, biology, Advanced Grammar and Composition
400
# of errors: 3 Ithaca alumn Meghan Musnicki spoke at the college's commencement ceremony.
Ithaca College alumna Meghan Musnicki spoke at the college's Commencement ceremony. On first reference, refer to the college as Ithaca College. alumna - feminine singular alumnae - feminine plural alumnus - masculine singular alumni - masculine plural and mixed plural Always capitalize Commencement and Convocation, but not ceremony.
400
# of errors: 2 The department of theatre arts attracts many students to IC.
The Department of Theatre Arts attracts many students to the college. Avoid IC except in set phrases. Capitalize official dept. titles (Department of Biology/biology department). Theatre is usually spelled with an -er except for the department and
500
What is the rule for hyphenating adjectives that precede a noun?
If two words together modify the noun (that is, they are a compound adjective), hyphenate them. Do not hyphenate adverbs of manner ending in -ly. Ex. The newly found corpses weren't yet cold. The well-known billionaire ran for president.
500
Which measurement is written incorrectly? a. the 5-foot-6 man b. The car is 17-feet long. c. 6 feet wide and 5 feet high d. A 9-inch snowfall
B Measurements use numerals. This follows standard hyphen usage. "17 feet" isn't a compound modifier.
500
Which of the following acronyms is/are acceptable on first reference? a. OSEMA b. HSHP c. NCAA d. SGA e. LGBT
C & E Very few acronyms can be used on first reference. Consult AP or Ithacan Style to be sure. A select few can be used on first reference, in headlines or in subsequent references. Note that LGBT does not include a Q.
500
# of errors: 3 The store closed its doors for the final time Jan. 2015 at 3 pm.
The store closed its doors for the final time at 3 p.m. January 2015. Time Date Place a.m. and p.m. Always write out month names unless part of a full date (Jan. 21, 1998). If part of a full date, only abbreviate Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.
500
# of errors: 6 Upon exiting the classroom I saw a bear, a rhino, and a hippo. They were very scary, and wanted to hurt me. But, then someone showed up and he made them go away. What I would’ve done without that person I do not know. I want to thank him, because he saved my life.
Upon exiting the classroom, I saw a bear, a rhino and a hippo. They were very scary and wanted to hurt me. But then someone showed up, and he made them go away. What I would’ve done without that person, I do not know. I want to thank him because he saved my life. -Comma after introductory clauses -No Oxford comma -Don't separate a subject from its verb -Don't put a comma after BUT (and/for/nor/so/yet) if it starts the sentence -Don't fuse two sentences (run-on) -When you have a subordinate clause starting your sentence, use a comma at the end of it -BUT don't use a comma BEFORE a subordinate clause
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