MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

First up, the Oxford Comma on Twitter no less.  What about science examples of ambiguity that can be helped with by Oxford comma use or rearrangement? Consider these examples from Sarah Lichter.  Here is one from my writing practice recently:

Conservation biologists look at two approaches to biodiversity losses, species counts in the tropics and changing distribution maps.

What about this one that the proto-doctors among us might say to a patient?:

Your cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery or immunotherapy.

Remember empty subjects?

Finally, what about the use of its in this assignment? Consider the "rule of three" as shown in this example:

Pipette in the wells using the PipetteJuniorPlus.  This instrument is new, so be careful with it.

Penelope set up her PRC glass wells using a mouth pipette. Mouth pipetting is a good skill to know whn you are out of disposal tips.  Mouth pipetting, however, is dangerous because you might take in fluid.

Why did I NOT use the rule of three in the second example?

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CONCISION -- Before Friday, look for revision opportunities to trim your paragraphs.  Here is a Before/After example.  Here are some handy concision tables.

Now, the broad-strategy check list!