Class Discussion, Main Room
Date 1/14/98
Start log:
Wednesday, January 14, 1998 3:21:02 pm Virtual Park Hall time --
JasonOg says, "don't start today Wendy"
KurtDa has arrived.
WendyFr says, "Cool "
JoeSa has arrived.
JenniferCa has arrived.
ScottFr has arrived.
KurtDa says, "cool what? I just left."
ScottFr leaves for the Two.
WendyFr says, "I'm just playing, Jason"
KurtDa says, "Hey Wendy, can I bum a cigarette?"
JasonOg says, "mind your own business Kurt"
WendyFr says, "no"
KurtDa says, "Why not?"
WendyFr says, "well, OK"
KurtDa says, "sweet, uh, do you have a lighter too?"
JenniferCa says, "whats up"
JoeSa says, "Hey everybody"
WendyFr says, "I can't find it"
KurtDa says, "Moo it!!!"
JenniferCa says, "oh really"
WendyFr says, "this is awesome"
KurtDa says, "Beats sitting in a classroom!"
WendyFr says, "I'd say so"
JasonOg says, "I can't find my pants"
ScottFr has arrived.
ScottFr leaves for the Two.
JoeSa says, "Surgeon General's warning: Smoking is bad for your health"
Mr.Cole leaves for the Four.
WendyFr says, "they're probably in Kurt's room"
JoeSa leaves for the One.
KurtDa says, "What the @#$%
?"
Mr.Cole has arrived.
WendyFr says, "no ugly language"
KurtDa says, "they're not in my room!"
JasonOg says, "Wendy if you don't back off, I'm going to kick your moo"
WendyFr says, "it was just a joke"
JasonOg says, "is class starting?"
WendyFr says, "I guess"
KurtDa says, "Hey Jason, want to go shoot pool after class?"
Mr.Cole says, "OK, folks my watch says 3:25, so we should start. "
JasonOg says, "I'm broke again"
WendyFr says, "Hello, Mr. Cole"
KurtDa says, "Hey Mr. Cole,"
MiMa has arrived.
MiMa goes out.
KurtDa says, "What happens if most of our group is'nt here?"
MiMa has arrived.
JenniferCa has disconnected.
Mr.Cole says, "Could everyone come into the main classroom?"
WendyFr says, "where is the main classroom?"
ScottFr has arrived.
JasonOg says, "your in it wendy"
KurtDa says, "Is Nick here?"
Mr.Cole says, "Wendy, you're there already."
WendyFr says, "OK"
KurtDa says, "Mr. Cole, What are we talking about today?"
Mr.Cole taps his foot, waiting for JoeSa
ScottFr say, "Declaration of Independence"
JenniferCa has connected.
Mr.Cole says, "Joe, you're in Room 1"
MiMa says, "Mr. Cole, Shannon can't log on today. ""
JoeSa has arrived.
Mr.Cole says, "Is it technical or personal?"
JenniferCa says, "sorry, someone called and knocked me off"
JoeSa says, "Mr. Cole, am I back in the main classroom now?"
Mr.Cole says, "Yup, we're all here."
MiMa says, "she can't connect on her computer, and we have to go to Gilbert at 4""
KurtDa says, "hey Jason"
Mr.Cole says, "OK, we have a couple things to cover. First I have a brief slide lecture on apostrophes."
JenniferCa says, "thanks Kurt, i already know that but havent had time"
Mr.Cole says, "Dim the lights..."
Mr.Cole shows slide #1.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
APOSTROPHES:
a short course
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KurtDa says, "You're welcome Jennefer."
Mr.Cole shows slide #2.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Apostrophes are the fifth of the Major Editing Errors
that can cause you to receive an editing failure.
Fortunately, they are also among the simplest rules to
learn.
There are two main reasons for using an apostrophe:
* indicating the possessive case
* contractions
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NickSm has arrived.
Mr.Cole shows slide #3.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Possessives
1. For ALL singular nouns and indefinite pronouns, the
proper possessive ending is 's.
NOTE: It was once common (and is still occasionally taught)
to drop the s for singular words ending in s, but this is
not the preferred usage today.
2. For plural nouns not ending in s, the proper possessive
ending is also 's.
3. For plural nouns ending in s, the proper possessive
ending is just an apostrophe.
4. With two or more nouns, the application of possessive
endings depends on the meaning. See SMH, p.495.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
JasonOg says, "should we take notes"
Mr.Cole says, "You might, though it is all in the St. Martins. Also, this class is being recorded for posterity."
NickSm says, "just log it all to file"
JasonOg says, "thanks Nick'"
Mr.Cole says, "Any questions on possessive apostrophes?"
KurtDa says, "Nope"
JoeSa says, "Not here"
WendyFr says, "I don't think so"
NickSm says, "no"
JasonOg says, "uh uh""
MiMa says, "no""
JenniferCa says, "not me"
JulieOw says, "the early b"no"no"
Mr.Cole shows slide #4.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It's/Its
Confusing "it's" and "its" is probably the most common
apostrophe error, but it is easy to avoid if you remember:
"It's" is the contraction "it is." As a contraction it
should not appear in your formal writing.
"Its" is the personal possessive pronoun. None of the
personal possessive pronouns take an apostrophe (my, your,
his, her, our, their).
Thus, if you are writing "its" in a paper it should ONLY
be for the possessive and it should NEVER take an
apostrophe.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr.Cole says, "oops, ignore that"
Mr.Cole shows slide #3.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Possessives
1. For ALL singular nouns and indefinite pronouns, the
proper possessive ending is 's.
NOTE: It was once common (and is still occasionally taught)
to drop the s for singular words ending in s, but this is
not the preferred usage today.
2. For plural nouns not ending in s, the proper possessive
ending is also 's.
3. For plural nouns ending in s, the proper possessive
ending is just an apostrophe.
4. With two or more nouns, the application of possessive
endings depends on the meaning. See SMH, p.495.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mr.Cole says, "Can you believe, I'm missing a virtual slide?"
KurtDa says, "That's not good."
ScottFr laughs.
KurtDa laughs.
FrankBl has arrived.
NickSm laughs at Kurt
WendyFr says, "everyone laughs at Kurt"
Mr.Cole says, "What it was supposed to say was that apostrophes are used to indicate missing letter in contractions like I'm, doesn't, and can't."
MaggieCa has arrived.
KurtDa says, "Hey, quit laughing at me."
KurtDa says, "Sorry Mr. Cole."
Mr.Cole says, "However, contractions are generally not used in formal writing. You should avoid them."
Mr.Cole says, "Did everyone get that?"
KurtDa says, "Yep"
ScottFr say, "yes sir"
NickSm says, "yup"
MiMa says, "yes""
JulieOw says, "yes"
WendyFr says, "I think so"
JoeSa says, "OUI"
JasonOg says, "yes captain my captain"
MaggieCa says, "yes sir"
JenniferCa says, "yup"
FrankBl says, "Mr. Cole sorry I am late I had problems getting here""
MaggieCa says, "me too"
Mr.Cole shows slide #4.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It's/Its
Confusing "it's" and "its" is probably the most common
apostrophe error, but it is easy to avoid if you remember:
"It's" is the contraction "it is." As a contraction it
should not appear in your formal writing.
"Its" is the personal possessive pronoun. None of the
personal possessive pronouns take an apostrophe (my, your,
his, her, our, their).
Thus, if you are writing "its" in a paper it should ONLY
be for the possessive and it should NEVER take an
apostrophe.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MaggieCa says, "i got that"
Mr.Cole shows slide #5.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Other Uses
There are a few other cases in which apostrophes are
conventionally used, such as shortening dates and forming
plurals of numbers, letters, symbols and words used as
terms. These instances are fairly rare, but see SMH, p. 497
for some examples.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FrankBl says, "got it""
MaggieCa says, "okay"
JulieOw says, "no problem"
NickSm says, "loud and clear"
KurtDa says, "got it"
Mr.Cole says, "any questions on apostrophes?"
JasonOg says, "easy stuff"
WendyFr says, "got that"
MaggieCa says, "nope"
NickSm says, "nope"
JulieOw says, "none here"
JoeSa says, "non"
FrankBl says, "Is our whole class here""
JenniferCa says, "no"
Mr.Cole says, "OK, so I'll never see an apostrophe error in any of your papers, right?"
WendyFr says, "no sir!"
NickSm says, "sure"
JasonOg says, "yes sir"
FrankBl says, "hopefully not""
JenniferCa says, "no promises from me"
JulieOw says, "we didn't say that, but I hope not"
JoeSa says, "Je ne sais pas"
MaggieCa says, "none here of course!"
MiMa says, "maybe""
KurtDa says, "righto"
ScottFr say, "you mean '92 "
ScottFr say, "as an example"
Mr.Cole says, "Right, Scott"
ScottFr say, "would you rather us write out 1992 instead "
Mr.Cole says, "OK, then. I'd like to spend the rest of our time discussing Jefferson. Remember your groups from yesterday?"
AnandVy has arrived.
WendyFr says, "yes sir"
FrankBl says, "yes""
MiMa says, "yes""
MaggieCa says, "kind of"
JenniferCa says, "no"
JasonOg says, "uh huh"
JoeSa says, "yes"
NickSm says, "sure"
FrankBl says, "should we go there now""
KurtDa says, "ok..."
AnandVy says, "I just arrived, what are we doing"
JulieOw says, "no, I don't remember"
Mr.Cole says, "Scott, 1992 would be a bit more formal, but under some circumstances it might be necessary to use the short form."
ScottFr say, "other teachers have always said write out the words and do not use apostrophe"
ScottFr say, "in my papers"
FrankBl says, "Mr. Cole should we go to our rooms""
MiMa says, "my screensaver keeps coming on""
WendyFr says, "mine too"
JulieOw says, "Mr. Cole, I don't remember my room"
KurtDa says, "Not me--HaHa"
Mr.Cole says, "Go to your rooms, if you remember your groups. An assignment is waiting on the note board. Type 'look note' for directions."
MaggieCa says, "move your mouse around"
JenniferCa says, "Mr Cole, I was not here yesterday, where should I go?"
ScottFr say, "you can disable your screensaver"
KurtDa leaves for the Two.
MiMa says, "thanks""
WendyFr leaves for the One.
FrankBl says, "Mr. Cole how do I stop call waiting""
NickSm leaves for the Four.
JasonOg leaves for the Three.
JoeSa leaves for the One.
MiMa goes out.
MiMa has arrived.
Mr.Cole says, "Jenny, you are in group 3"
MiMa leaves for the Three.
MaggieCa says, "Mr Cole where do I go?"
MiMa has arrived.
AnandVy says, "if you're at home disable call-waiting by *67"
JenniferCa says, "thank you"
JenniferCa leaves for the Three.
Mr.Cole says, "Maggie, group 1"
MiMa leaves for the Four.
ScottFr leaves for the Two.
JulieOw says, "Julie doesn't remember her room"
AnandVy leaves for the One.
Mr.Cole says, "Julie, group 2"
JulieOw leaves for the Two.
Mr.Cole says, "Frank, group 3"
MaggieCa leaves for the One.
FrankBl says, "do I just type it in Anand""
JulieOw has arrived.
JulieOw leaves for the Two.
FrankBl leaves for the Three.
Mr.Cole says, "type 'read 1 on note'"
Mr.Cole leaves for the Four.
GeraldLa has arrived.
Mr.Cole has arrived.
Mr.Cole says, "Jerry, you should join the others in Room 3"
GeraldLa leaves for the Three.
Mr.Cole leaves for the One.
MiMa has arrived.
Mr.Cole has arrived.
Mr.Cole leaves for the Four.
MiMa has disconnected.
Mr.Cole has arrived.
Mr.Cole leaves for the Two.
NickSm has arrived.
NickSm leaves for the Two.
The housekeeper arrives to cart MiMa off to bed.
Mr.Cole has arrived.
NickSm has arrived.
JulieOw has arrived.
Mr.Cole says, "Hey everyone. We're just about out of time. Wrap it up and come out here. Don't leave yet."
ScottFr has arrived.
KurtDa has arrived.
FrankBl has arrived.
GeraldLa has arrived.
JenniferCa has arrived.
FrankBl says, "type out"
NickSm leaves for the Three.
JasonOg has arrived.
NickSm has arrived.
JasonOg says, "thank you"
ScottFr say, "Mr. Cole I mean "don't" instead of do not and so on"
WendyFr has arrived.
JoeSa has arrived.
MaggieCa has arrived.
NickSm leaves for the One.
AnandVy has arrived.
MaggieCa says, "type out"
Mr.Cole says, "Scott, it's best to avoid contractions in formal writing. It also helps avoid apostrophe problems from that end."
NickSm has arrived.
KurtDa says, "but it's alright in the chat room here, right?"
ScottFr say, "thanks"
Mr.Cole says, "Ok, how'd it go today?"
FrankBl says, "Mr. Cole are our conversatios supposed to be formal"
MaggieCa says, "great!"
ScottFr say, "rather well"
JoeSa says, "I like discussing things on the computer"
AnandVy says, "Good considering the wierdness of it all."
JasonOg says, "it'll take some getting use to "
Mr.Cole says, "no, you can be informal here."
NickSm says, "not bad but it'll take a little getting used to for all of us..."
AnandVy says, "I mean weirdness"
NickSm says, "that's the only drawback to this--waiting for other response and not "jumping the gun""
Mr.Cole says, "I will post transcripts from today on our website. You can see what everyone else was talking about."
JasonOg says, "good call nick"
KurtDa says, "Yes, that's the main problem"
FrankBl says, "Mr. Cole can we leave I need to be some where"
ScottFr say, "I think people are more open when typing and would more likely speak their mind on the computer rather than verbally"
Mr.Cole says, "I hope so, Scott"
MaggieCa says, "I think so too"
AnandVy says, "It seems to make us think about what we are saying more"
JoeSa says, "yeah, me too"
FrankBl says, "I think so also"
GeraldLa says, "me too"
JasonOg says, "I should think more before I type"
MaggieCa says, " I feel more comfortable"
KurtDa says, "I agree"
AnandVy says, "What now Mr. Cole"
Mr.Cole says, "Y'all can leave. Read the assignment in SA for tomorrow and I'll see you here then."
AnandVy says, "whats SA?"
JenniferCa says, "i think people get carried away and talmk too much"
FrankBl says, "see ya'll"
JulieOw says, "bye Yall"
MaggieCa says, "goodbye"
Mr.Cole waves
GeraldLa says, "later"
JenniferCa says, "later everyone"
FrankBl has disconnected.
JulieOw has disconnected.
JoeSa smiles.
GeraldLa has disconnected.
AnandVy says, "What's Sa Mr. cole"
MaggieCa goes out.
AnandVy says, "I mean SA"
JenniferCa has disconnected.
NickSm says, "structure of argument"
JoeSa says, "structure of argument, maybe"
JasonOg has disconnected.
Mr.Cole says, "structure of Argument, Anand"
AnandVy says, "thanks. I take it it's on the syllabus"
End log: Wednesday, January 14, 1998 4:16:10 pm Virtual Park Hall time --