NCJ Number
154423
Date Published
1995
Length
255 pages
Annotation
This workbook presents seven informational and practice sessions designed to increase the user's ability to write clearly and efficiently.
Abstract
A 50-question pretest informs users of their strengths and weaknesses, followed by a section that identifies the eight parts of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, conjunction, interjection, and preposition. A section on "Word Usage" focuses on the correct use of homophones, which are words that are similar in sound but different in spelling and meaning; for example, affect/effect and deposition/disposition. Section III guides the user in correcting inappropriate themes in a sentence structure, such as fragments, run-ons, and misplaced phrases. The user practices distinguishing between statements written in the active and passive voice in Section IV, followed by analysis of correct grammar usage when balancing subjects and verbs. In Section V of the workbook, users improve their spelling through the use of application exercises. Also, a detailed spelling list of the most commonly misspelled words in law enforcement and corrections is included. The section on punctuation improves the user's knowledge and use of commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, and quotation marks. The concluding section addresses the key components of effective report writing: note taking; report organization; sample scenarios; and sample reports for police, probation, and correctional officers. Each section contains a brief rule that relates to the topics, examples of the rule, and application exercises. A posttest is included, as is an answer-key for all exercises in the workbook.