Adapted from the textbook Writing Analytically, this handout lists nine basic writing errors (BWEs) commonly found in student writing. This list of BWEs is based on research that shows the number of sentence-level errors found in student writing today is the same as it was before World War One. This same research also shows that most students who are native speakers of English make a relatively small range of errors in their writing.
Understanding these BWEs will benefit your academic writing in several ways. When commenting on your writing, I do not correct errors; instead, if I see an error, I will put a BWE number in the margin. So learning what these numbers refer to will help you address my comments. Learning to identify and edit these BWEs will also help you address most sentence-level errors you likely encounter in your writing.
You can find more expansive tips on addressing these kinds of issues at the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
BWE #1: Sentence fragments
Example: I went to the 11:00 screening of Tony Jaa’s The Protector. Although the film didn’t start until 11:30.
How to fix: I went to the 11:00 screening of Tony Jaa’s The Protector, although the film didn’t start until 11:30.
BWE #2: Comma splices and fused (run-on) sentences
Example: Jackie Chan’s Police Force has incredible fight choreography, the scene where he gets his head through a window is amazing.
How to fix (option 1): Jackie Chan’s Police Force has incredible fight choreography; the scene where he gets his head kicked through a window is amazing.
How to fix (option 2): Jackie Chan’s Police Force has incredible fight choreography. For example, the scene where he gets his head kicked through a window is amazing.
BWE #3: Errors in subject-verb agreement
Example: Bruce Campbell, who has acted in countless films, are the best actor of his time.
How to fix: Bruce Campbell, who has acted in countless films, is the best actor of his time.
BWE #4: Shifts in sentence structure
Example: On last week’s episode gave three thousand years of human-Cylon history.
How to fix (option 1): On last week’s episode, we learned three thousand years of human-Cylon history.
How to fix (option 2): Last week’s episode presented three thousand years of human-Cylon history.
BWE #5: Errors in pronoun reference
Example: It can be dangerous if a viewer, after watching a Jackie Chan film, decides to practice what he saw. (Note: It’s unclear whether “he” refers to the viewer or to Jackie Chan.)
How to fix: It can be dangerous if viewers, after watching a Jackie Chan film, decide to practice what they saw.
BWE #6: Misplaced modifiers and dangling participles
Example: In Drunken Master, Jackie Chan smashed a table with a broken arm.
How to fix: In Drunken Master, Jackie Chan used his broken arm to smash a table.
BWE #7: Errors in using possessive apostrophes
Example: Jackie Chans Police Force is the best Hong Kong action film ever.
How to fix: Jackie Chan’s Police Force is the best Hong Kong action film ever.
See here for more on identifying and editing possessive apostrophe errors.
BWE #8: Comma errors
Example: Bruce Campbell who has acted in countless films is the best actor of his time.
How to fix: Bruce Campbell, who has acted in countless films, is the best actor of his time.
BWE #9: Spelling/diction errors that interfere with meaning
Example: If you think The Tuxedo is a better film then Project A, than you’re not a real fan.
How to fix: If you think The Tuxedo is a better film than Project A, then you’re not a real fan.
See here for more on identifying and editing common spelling errors.