Peer editing a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

What punctuation is missing from this sentence? 'Although they claim to have investigated they have made almost no progress.'

• colon

• comma

• semi-colon

• dashes

Answer explanation

A fronted adverbial clause should be followed by a comma. A comma after 'investigated' would demarcate the adverbial subordinate clause from the main clause 'they have made almost no progress'.

What piece of punctuation could be added to this sentence? 'I am at my wits' end the police have been no help at all.'

• comma

• dashes

• colon

Answer explanation

A colon can be used to introduce an explanation. The sentence would read 'I am at my wits' end: the police have been no help at all.'

Which cohesive device would best combine these pieces of information to improve text cohesion? 'Only Sherlock Holmes can solve this puzzle. The remarkable Sherlock Holmes.'

• parenthesis using dashes

• a compound sentence

• a complex sentence

• a semi-colon

Answer explanation

The sentence would read 'Only Sherlock Holmes - the remarkable Sherlock Holmes - can solve this puzzle.'

Which of the examples use cohesive devices appropriately?

• I know you are a busy man. I need your help.

• I know you are a busy man, but I need your help.

• I know you are a busy man; however, I need your help.

• I know you are a busy man. However, I need your help.

Answer explanation

We can use a semi-colon to connect closely-related sentences; however, it is not incorrect to just use the fronted adverbial as a cohesive device at the start of a separate sentence. This is the writer's own choice.

Which of these examples show emotive vocabulary appropriate for a formal persuasive letter?

• a big dog

• a vast, demonic hound

• local people are scared

• local people are utterly terrified

Answer explanation

By using emotive descriptions, we help show the reader the strength of feeling we have and the seriousness of the issues; this is persuasive because it makes them feel that it is important to help.

What are the problems with this sentence from a formal persuasive letter? 'I'm sure you'll jump at the chance to give us a hand!'

• it contains contractions

• it contains informal language

• it is too short

• the writer is presuming the reader will co-operate

Answer explanation

'Give us a hand' is informal. We could say instead 'I am certain that you will be eager to assist us.'