Conventions of Composition Rule 202 Practice

1. Wrong: Marie-Laure and Werner don't meet each other until late in the novel.

Better: Marie-Laure and Werner don't meet each other until after she has lost her father and he has become a soldier.

Explanation: Later in the novel doesn't provide any real context to the reader.

2. Wrong: In the first four chapters, we learn more about Telemachus than about Odysseus.

Better: Homer focuses on Telemachus's trip before he shows the reader where Odysseus has been.

Explanation: In the first four chapters doesn't provide any real information to the reader.

3. Wrong: Janie tells her story to her friend Phoeby in the first and last parts of the book.

Better: Janie conversation with her friend Phoeby frames the story of her life.

Explanation: If you can avoid mentioning that these characters exist in the physical space of a book, you should.