Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 19: Use of 1st & 2nd Person Pronouns in Essays
In most essays (especially history essays), use of 1st or 2nd person pronouns - both singular and plural - is inappropriate, especially if you or I were not present at the event being discussed.
Unless otherwise directed, do NOT use any of the following words (or variations thereof) in your essays: I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, you, your
Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 22: Using Present Tense in History Essays
History is in the past - leave it there.

Incorrect: Thomas Jefferson values the contributions of small farmers to American life.

Incorrect: Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation to give the North a moral imperative to continue fighting.

Incorrect: President Wilson is hoping to prevent another World War with his 14 Points plan.

Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 74: Use of Abbr. in Essays
In both in-class essays and out of class written assignments, it is INAPPROPRIATE TO USE ABBREVIATIONS. Remember, contractions are abbreviations!! Save the abbr. for AIM!!
No WWI, WWII, 4, u, b/c, w/, don’t, it’s

Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 99:Vague Language & Empty Words
Always use specific language over vague language.
Examples:
The author stated his opinion on the Truman Doctrine. (empty)

The author emphasizes that the Truman Doctrine was a grand success. (actually tells the author’s opinion)

In his Farewell Address, President George Washington gives some very important pieces of advice for the future. (empty)

In his Farewell Address, President Washington advised that Americans should avoid foreign entanglements, the creation of political parties, and the development of a national debt. (actually states Washington’s advice.)


Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 132: Incorrect Apostrophe Use
Incorrect: The nation’s of Latin America were made uneasy by the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
(Nations is plural in this sentence, so no apostrophe is necessary.)

Incorrect: Radios power was immeasurable in the 1920’s.
(In this sentence, radio’s is a possessive adjective, modifying power; thus, an apostrophe is necessary.)

Incorrect: Presidential power’s expanded under Theodore Roosevelt. (In this sentence, powers is plural, not possessive; therefore, an apostrophe is unnecessary.)
Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 186: Underlining vs. Quotation Marks
The following should be underlined or italicized when written:
DO NOT PUT THE FOLLOWING IN QUOTATION MARKS
• book titles • newspaper and magazine titles
• movies & television shows • CDs, Albums, & works of art
• names of planes and ships • court cases

The following should be placed in quotation marks when written:
DO NOT UNDERLINE OR ITALICIZE THE FOLLOWING
• “Articles in Newspapers” • “Articles in Magazines”
• “Poems,” “Songs” • “Chapters of Books”

When using quotation marks at the end of a sentence or before a comma, place the end punctuation or comma within the quotation marks.
Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 222: Correct Use of Colons & Semicolons
When using a semicolon (;), it is important to think of it as an equal sign. It can only be used two separate two parallel structures. Do not confuse it with a colon (:).
Example: Liberia is a West African nation; it was founded by American slaves. (Note: two complete sentences on either side)
A colon is used to begin a list or to separate a word or words for emphasis:
Examples: President Lincoln had one motivation: to save the Union.
There were a variety of motives for imperial expansion: the desire to make money, the opportunity to demonstrate military superiority, and the attitude that the U.S. could make the world safe for democracy.

Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 261: Proper Use of Lose and Loose
Many students confuse the words lose and loose in their writing, much to Thordogg’s deep chagrin.
LOSE (pronounced with a -Z sound) talks of the action of something getting or being LOST. Countries lose wars, they do NOT loose them.
LOOSE (pronounced with an -S sound) is used to describe something that does not fit or is not strict.
Alexander Hamilton was a loose constructionist - not a lose constructionist.
Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 346: Writing Numbers
When using numbers in a written assignment, write out (in words) the numbers 1-10. Use numerals for numbers 11 or higher, unless the number is the first word of the sentence. Never mix numerals and words in the same sentence - be consistent.
Incorrect: We need 4 volunteers to judge the history fair.
Correct: We need four volunteers to judge the history fair.
Incorrect: Congress has five hundred thirty-five members.
Correct: Congress has 535 members.
Incorrect: 99 years after the Civil War ended, the Civil Rights Act was passed.
Correct:Ninety-nine years after the Civil War ended, the Civil Rights Act was passed.
Incorrect: Students from nine to 14 are invited.
Correct: Students from nine to fourteen are invited
Correct: Students from 9 to 14 are invited.
Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 456: Inattention to Capitalization Rules
There are many words that should ALWAYS be capitalized, but much to Thordogg’s chagrin, some people are unaware of this.
ALWAYS CAPITALIZE THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
Proper Names Titles (books, movies, pamphlets, etc.)
Congress Senate House (of Representatives)
President (when followed by a last name)
Internet I (the pronoun) roman numerals
Historical Periods (ie, Great Depression, Roaring Twenties)
Specific Regions and their Natives: the South, Southerners, the North, Northerners, the East, the West, the Southwest (get it yet?)










Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 717: Commonly Confused Words I
There are several pairs of words students confuse.
The ones that peeve me the most are listed below:

it’s / its: it’s is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.” If you cannot replace the word it’s with the two words “it is” or “it has” then you should be using the possessive pronoun its.
It’s going to be hot outside today. The dog did not like its food.
moral / morale: Morale describes a person or group’s mental or emotional state. Moral describes if something is right or wrong.
The enemy’s morale was boosted by its easy victory.People questioned the president’s morals after the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Thordogg’s Pet Peeve # 718: Commonly Confused Words II
There are several pairs of words students confuse. The ones that peeve me the most are listed below:
apart / a part: As one word, it means NOT TOGETHER.
When describing a facet of a larger object, use two words.
I do not like being apart from Mr. Thorburn.
Many college students played a part in the Civil Rights Movement.
principal / principle: Principal means MOST IMPORTANT. Principle means ideal or belief.
The principal cause of Reagan’s popularity was his tax policy.
Reagan’s guiding principles were fiscal conservatism and a tough foreign policy.
affect / effect: While these terms are related, AFFECT is a verb. EFFECT is a noun. You can affect an effect
The threat of communism affected most of President Truman’s decisions.
An effect of Sputnik was increased math and science education in the U.S.