We all want to make people chuckle, but let’s not do it when the purpose of our writing is to inform, instruct or encourage. You can’t expect to be rich, famous and likable if you don’t pay attention to what your words mean. Check out these mistakes. Let’s laugh but let’s not do this ourselves:

It’s Final Writing Lollapalooza Time … which means you’re at the MC2010 finish line. And no one died from too much grammar or from an overdose of AP Style. We didn’t even have to call the medics to rescue you.

I told you your head would be full at the end of the semester … and that you would feel like you’ve been in MC2010 for three years. You believe me … right?

Writing is like cooking–not the kind we do at home but the kind we see on TV where the chef has all of the ingredients set out in tiny glass containers. The chef uses each ingredient at the proper time in the recipe. (Did you ever wonder who washes all those glass containers. It’s probably not the chef.)

In writing, you do the same thing: You set before you all of your “ingredients”–chunks of the story–and then insert them in the right places as you go along. It’s like the chemistry of cooking … but with words.

You’re not the only one who’s looking forward to spring break. That’s the truth. Remember: Your only homework is to tweet a G-rated photo of yourself at spring break.

Let us know what you’re doing. Include our class hashtag, #manship2010, and my name, @roxdill, so that I can see it.

Have a great time, and don’t forget your grammar. See you on April 2.

You’re in the middle of midterm week, which means it’s half over. The good news is that you’re done with your Midterm Writing Extravaganza. The next half of the semester will be better because you know the basics. Now we can get down to the business of storytelling.