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Technical Writing · Exposition & Argumentation · Non-fiction Creative Essays · The Structure of English · Analysis of Shakespeare · Analysis of Literary Language
Advanced Professional Papers · The History of the English Language · First Internship: Tutoring in a Writing Workshop · Second Internship: Advanced Instruction: Tutoring Writing
Visual Literacy Seminar (A First Course in Methodology) · Theories of Communication & Technology (A Second Course in Methodology) · Language in Society (A Third Course in Methodology)
UMBC'S Conservative Newspaper: "The Retriever's Right Eye" · UMBC'S University Newspaper: "The Retriever Weekly" · Introduction to Journalism · Feature Writing · Science Writing Papers
Grammar and Usage of Standard English: Essay and Analyses · Exercise at the end of Chapter 1 in "The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier"
Exercise at the end of Chapter 4 in "The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier" · Song Lyrics Grammar Analysis
Exercise Requirement
It's your turn to detect and correct some misplaced modifiers. Reread the mystery at the beginning of the chapter, find all the misplaced modifiers, and then rewrite the story.
Original Version
Gazing outside, it occurred to Detective Pinkersolve that she was nearly done with her cases. Off to interview a witness from a recent carjacking caper, there was no time to lose.
The witness had seen a man trying to carjack a woman brandishing a weapon. Looking around for another vehicle because he couldn't drive a stick shift, a pizza delivery bike soon came by that sported a Slow Poke Pizza sign. While munching on a cold slice, police put out an APB for a man with an anchovy on his face who was cycling slowly.
Upset that the culprit got away, a wanted poster was drawn that Detective Pinkersolve hoped would help capture him. The detective needed to think about the case, so she ordered some pizza from Slow Poke's that would undoubtedly be delicious. After waiting two hours, the pizza finally came. Something struck her that was odd. Jack, the delivery cyclist, looked just like the composite sketch of the bike-jacker! Admitting he was the suspect, jail was avoided. Explaining how, Slow Poke's generous manager was allowing Jack to work off his dept to society. Detective Pinkersolve decided to withhold a tip and began her next case.
Modified Version
Gazing outside, it dawned to Detective Pinkersolve that she was nearly done with her cases. With no time to loose, Pinkersolve swiftly left the office to interview a witness from a recent carjacking caper.
The witness had seen a man brandishing a weapon trying to carjack a woman. The carjacker couldn't drive a stick, so he quickly looked for another vehicle. Within moments, a pizza delivery bike that sported a Slow Poke Pizza sign passed by. As the bike-jacker rode off, he munched on a cold slice. Meantime, the police put out an APB for a slowly cycling, young Caucasian male with an anchovy on his face.
Upset that the culprit got away, Detective Pinkersolve wanted a poster drawn hoping that it would help capture him. The detective needed to think about the case, so she ordered some pizza from Slow Poke's. It would undoubtedly be delicious. The pizza finally arrived after she waited two hours. Something odd struck her about Jack, the delivery cyclist. He looked just like the composite sketch of the bike-jacker! He admitted he was the suspect and explained how he avoided jail. Slow Poke's generous manager was allowing Jack to work off his debt to society. Detective Pinksolve decided to withhold a tip and began working her next case.
Trenga, Bonnie The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to solve the mystery of weak writing. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 2006.
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