143Pronoun Agreement errors show up almost as much as
ambiguity. Check out a classic Pronoun Agreement mistake:
It is important to challenge the authority of the government, as they
don’t always have the needs of the minority in mind.
Sentence Fragments/Run-ons: Students rushing and not edit-
ing as they go cause the majority of these errors. You must
re-read to catch fragments and run-ons!
Jonathan was not calling the sixth grader names, he explained
how he was simply telling the truth and did not mean to harm
her.
By always telling the truth can make friends turn away from
you.
Who is “they?” I think it is pretty
clear they refers to government,
but “government” is singular and
“they” is plural, so the they
should be it!Here is your run-on error. Two
independent clauses cannot be
separated by only a comma!Careful of those awkward “ings!”
They create fragments! It’s an easy
fix: Just remove the “by.”Let’s put everything we’ve learned together, and analyze a couple of SAT essays.
Question: Do we need other people in order to understand ourselves?
Essay #1 .................................................................................................
Philosophers have wondered for centuries what man is capable of, both individually and on a societal level.
In ancient times, Greeks put humans to the test in the Olympic games, attempting to determine their capabilities by
pushing them to physical extremes. However, the people of that time were actually in search of the answer to a larger
question; they were looking to understand one’s inner being. But looking inside one’s true nature requires a mirror,
and what better mirror than the larger consciousness of one’s entire community. History presents numerous examples
that demonstrate that to truly understand oneself, one must look to the motivations and accomplishments of society as a
whole.
The Civil War is a historical event that clearly illustrates the capabilities and drive of Americans. In
1860, when Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election, numerous southern states seceded from the Union,
which ultimately led the country into war in an effort to reunite America. In more recent times of peril, the
United States has not hesitated to go to war, illustrating that Americans are capable of fighting and putting their
lives on the line for what they believe. On September 11, 2001, when America was struck by terrorists in New
York City, she rose to the occasion to battle terrorism. This war still wages on in 2006 and is an ever-present
reminder of American’s capacity to fight for their beliefs. The strength and success in these dramatic events are
obvious portrayals of Americans, a people with strong beliefs and the will to accomplish their goals.
Although America has excelled as a superpower, the sense of community inspired by our forefathers
continues to shape the reactions of our people. Take for instance, the devastating strike of Hurricane Katrina,
which occurred in August, 2005. Just last year, a class five storm struck the American South and caused a state
of emergency throughout the area. Hundreds were killed and the destruction was widespread. In response,
America took action, both in the political and private arenas. Americans from all over the country chipped in
volunteer efforts and financial aid to those in need, clearly depicting America as a whole, a group of individuals
with strong moral convictions and an enthusiasm to support those in need. By looking at the actions of our
community, we have a clear glimpse into ourselves.