Abbreviations Common in Erlichian Grading
agr = agreement (problem). E.g., Subject-Verb agreement,
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
ambig. = ambiguous (in a way not useful): The grammatical unit
can have > 1 meaning in a confusing way.
aud. = audience (problem). E.g., you assume more knowledge on
the part of your audience than your readers are likely to possess.
CA = Case (mistake). E.g., using "I" when you need "me" or
vice-versa.
cg = (in)congruity: two elements just don't go together.
cl = unclear, clarity (problem); Clarify.
comp = (incomplete) comparison/comparative or similar construction.
E.g. "Gortox has more cleaning power!" (Than what? Beating clothes against a
rock with a stick?). "They were so sweet!" (That you liked them? That you
got suspicious?)
CS = comma splice (using a comma where you need a period or
semicolon).
d = diction (problem), word choice (problem); Wrong word.
DM = dangling modifier (i.e. an introductory modifier doesn't
go with the rest of the sentence, usually because of a change in subject [e.g.,
*"Walking down the street the buildings were seen."]) See below, MM.
DoD = Develop (this) or drop (it).
emph = emphasis; Emphasize.
esp. = especially.
frag = (unjustified) sentence fragment.
gen. = general, generally, (hasty) generalization.
id. = idiom (problem); We just don't say it that way.
inf. = (too) informal | Make less formal.
ital. = Italicize (or underline) word or phrase indicated.
(See rom.)
k = awkward (construction).
MM = misplaced modifier. See above, DM.
NA = Not Acceptable; Re-write this (essay).
non seq = Non sequitur = "It doesn't follow": What you say
may be true, but it isn't proved by your argument. (Or: Some logic problem.)
opt. = option, optional.
pass. = (misuse of) passive voice. (Unless you have a good
reason to use the passive voice, use the active: "I dropped the butter" rather
than "The butter was dropped." This is an ethical as well as a stylistic
matter.)
poss = possessive (case); see below, apostrophe symbol.
q = question
R(?) = Relevance(?)
R&R = redundant (and repetitive)
ref = reference (usually of pronouns), reference problem,
referent (i.e., that which is referred to)
rhet = rhetoric, rhetorical | rhetQ = rhetorical question
rev. = revision / rev. opt. = revision option: You've got 7
days from the day the essays were returned to the class to get me a rev. for
higher grade.
rom. = Put in roman type (remove italics or underlining)
s. = sentence
sic = thus ("This is what it says.") | sic? = thus? "Is this
what you want?"
sp = spelling (error) / circled = Spell this out.
SST = some such thing: a suggested improvement
Stet or STET : Let it be; ignore attempted correction. "Never
mind."
Thud!: anticlimax; Improve climax.
tr. = transposition; Transpose elements as indicated by
trans = transition (problem)
w = wordy
w/ = with | w/o = without
Other abbreviations or symbols should be obvious; if they're not, we
need to talk.