Questionable Usage Paper
Julie VW
SMU
Communications for the Professional AA 620
October 8, 2002
Long after I finished my last high school English class, several words continue to confuse me and get mixed up in my writing. For example, the words affect and effect sound and look alike, as a result I'm never confident about the proper use or definitions of these words. Claire Kehrwald Cook (1985) defines affect as "influence," while effect means "to bring about" (p165). Because true "influence" generally "brings about" a change (in behavior, thoughts, or attitude) I can't find a clear distinction in those definitions. Cook believes, "some writers confuse the two verbs because the noun effect corresponds to both; it can mean either ‘influence' . . . or ‘result'" (p. 165).
My confusion with lay vs. lie goes back to a 7th grade English class with Mrs. Bafia, who took great delight in confusing students. According to Mrs. Bafia "If you set it there it's laying. If you lie down, you're resting." Both set and rest are synonymous in my mind, because I often put something (like a baby) down with the intention that it will rest.
I arbitrarily choose between the words people and persons rarely stopping to think about proper definitions. The word person logically has two plural forms: persons and people. Common misuse of both words in vernacular speech perpetuates my confusion.
Cook offers help for my disorientated grammar. Persons should be used to denote a small group, while people defines masses and crowds. For lay and lie she suggests "substituting the corresponding form of place or rest." (184). Cheryl Prentice (2002) replaces affect or effect, with the word "result." If the sentence still makes sense, effect must be the appropriate word (p. 43).
Thesis Statement: Long after I finished my last high school English class, several words continue to confuse me or easily get mixed up in my writing.
Outline
I Affect vs. Effect
A. Sound alike, look alike
B. Quote from Claire about writer's confusion
II. Lay vs. Lie
A. Mrs. Bafia's dumb saying
B. Personal confusion with Mrs. Bafia's rule
III. People vs. Persons
A. Both plural forms of person
B. Everyone misuses it
IV. Explanations and Tricks to get it right
A. People vs. Persons
B. Lay vs. Lie
C. Affect vs. Effect
References
Cook, C.K. (1985). Line by line. Boston, MN: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Prentice, C. (2002). Student guide to the writing center and APA style.
Minneapolis, MN: St. Mary's University of Minnesota
