Year 3 Graphic Communications, academic skills session 1: proofreading Task A – the impact of the language on a website You each have a print-out of part of a commercial UK website. In some cases we have enlarged the fonts for ease of reading, but otherwise they are exactly as we found them. In your group, each of you should make brief notes under the headings below. Please focus primarily on the language of the website rather than the design. 1. What are the main mistakes of grammar, punctuation and spelling? These may be small; look carefully. Are these mistakes consistent throughout the material you have? Give examples.
2. How appropriate is the English style in the context in which the material is issued, and the message/image you think it is trying to convey? Give examples.
3. Imagine you are a potential customer, buyer, information seeker, or just plain reader of this website. What is the likely impact of all the language issues you have found on any decision you might make to buy or engage with this service or product?
4. What do you think are the causes of the language problems on this site?
Task B – comparing the issues In your new group, quickly tell each other about the website you looked at in your old groups. Then agree the following (don’t get lost in too much detail): What are the most common problems of grammar, punctuation and spelling and style you have found?
How could these problems have been avoided?
Then appoint a spokesperson for your group.
UWIC Academic Skills team, October 2009
student.uwic.ac.uk/academicskills
Year 3 Graphic Communications, academic skills session 1: proofreading
Task C – the cure You are now back with your original group (and website). Your task is to draw up a short action plan to improve the language of this website. Appoint a spokesperson to report back in 15 minutes. Consider: -
The most important issues, and the order they should be addressed. Who should be responsible for the ‘cure’ i.e. outside consultants, designers, etc.
Resources for improving your proofreading skills Palmer, R (2003) Write in Style and The Good Grammar Guide London: Routledge UWIC library have these as e-books. There are excellent chapters in both on style and appropriacy, including one called ‘Fight the flab’ on writing concise and correct English. Palmer coined the term ‘yob’ English for careless errors accepted by the lazy public and perfectionists will appreciate his indignation about the shoddy standards we tolerate. Go to UWIC’s Academic Skills resources site for many more learning resources for language and style, including downloadable worksheets on areas of English grammar. student.uwic.ac.uk/academicskills Rachel’s session next time on writing clear sentences will follow up on many of the issues raised today. Here’s a teaser to get you started. Why is this sentence ambiguous? The winning beauty queen put her crown on her head. She realised it was very dense. UWIC Academic Skills team, October 2009
student.uwic.ac.uk/academicskills