D#10, HW#7 - Grammar Assignment

I learned a few things reading Part 5 of the Wadsworth handbook. Coordinating conjunctions require a comma when used to link two independent clauses. I always thought the words ‘and’ and ‘or’ took the place of commas in all writing situations. I worked through exercises 30.1—30.5 to ensure I understood the lessons.

Note: Referencing the checklist on pg. 267 will assist in using commas correctly.
Note: Reference the checklist on pg. 270 for “restrictive and non restrictive modifiers.”

Understanding comma usage can be confusing and overwhelming. There are numerous rules in using commas to remember. I’m worried about this in my writing.

Note: Contractions are considered informal and should not be used in college writings.
Note: According to the computer tip on pg. 285, set word processing to highlight contractions that may need to be revised.

Brackets [ ] – This is something I am not accustomed to using. I now know I can use brackets to replace parenthesis inside another set of parenthesis. (Just like algebra!)

Revised Paragraph #1: I concentrated on correcting my dashes and double checking commas.

There have been several attempts across the nation to lower the voting age in America, including the state of Arizona. The controversy surrounding the issue to lower the voting age is whether or not teenagers, over the age of 16, are mature enough to make well informed decisions. They are allowed to drive vehicles at the age of 15 – that requires constant 'good' decision making; obtain a job at the age of 16 – which requires paying taxes; receive permission from parents to get married at the age of 17 – that requires demonstration of adult responsibility and if convicted of a serious crime be tried as an adult in a court of law prior to turning the age of 18. Teenagers with adult responsibilities and expectations are currently not allowed to vote like an adult as the current age to vote in America is 18 according to the XXVI Amendment, which reads “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age” (NARA, 2007). A few reasons why the state of Arizona should reconsider lowering the voting to 16 is educational opportunities, increase in voter turnout rates, and stronger communities.

Revised Paragraph #2: I concentrated on commas and punctuation.

Through further educational exposure or experience, some politicians and organizations have assisted youths on their quest to lower the voting age and receiving education they may otherwise not have had the opportunity. For example, providing an educational experience, Councilwoman Valerie Ervin demonstrated her belief in youths by hiring two teenagers to run her campaign (Aratani, 2006). She gave two high school students an opportunity to experience first hand what’s required in getting voters to the polls. Another example, Sen. John Vasconcellos, surrounded by teenage supporters, introduced the concept of lowering the voting age to 14 in California during a news conference, supplying an educational exposure to the legislation process. According to Senator John Vasconcellos: “To not let them have a say in what affects their lives seems to me to be not very typically American” (Bailey, 2004). Granted, the proposal was met with strong opposition by Senator Ross Johnson (R- Irvine) who stated, “To waste taxpayer money having children cast votes would be ridiculous at any time…” (Bailey, 2004) Also, disagreeing with lowering the voting age in California because the proposal called for counting teenager votes in quarter or half measures, is the president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, Bob Stern who said “So you're a quarter person? Or a half? Either you give the vote to them or you don't. I just wonder how big an outcry there is for this" (Bailey, 2004).