This document is part of a study, conducted by Ed Vavra, of the syntax of students' writing.

Spring 1995 Pre Writing Student # 42

Student's Text:

Comments:

\-\Sexual harassment is an extremely volitile area these days. \-\Other {than the obvious cases,} it boils down {to a difference} {of opinions or values} [that you have either placed {upon yourself} or grown up with.]

\-\{In this case} it is hard to take a side {because of the lack} {of information.} \-\The ladies were reprimanded [because their skirts were distracting.] \-\{In a work environment} distractions lower productivity. (an employers concern) \R\{on the other hand} an employer has to give his/her employees a little leeway, {in order} to keep up morale, therefore, increacing productivity.

\-\A compromise must be reached. \-\The supervisor could have paid a little closer attention {to his work,} {instead of the ladies skirts.} \-\And the ladies could have concidered the fact [that length {of their skirts} might offend some {of the employees.}]

\-\Obviously the stance {on either} {of these opinions} was strong. \-\To immediately change ones values is impossible. \-\Common ground must be reached, {for all} to coincide peacefully.

[sic]

[sic]; See run-ons.

[sic]

Raw Data

Calculated Data

Number of words = 161
Number of paragraphs = 4

Number of main clauses = 12

# of Prepositional Phrases = 17
# of words in P Phrases = 53

# of Sub Clauses Level 1 = 3
# of Words in = 27

# of Sub Clauses Level 2 = 0
# of Words in = 0

# of Sub Clauses Level 3 = 0
# of Words in = 0

# of Sub Clauses Level 4= 0
# of Words in = 0

# of Fragments = 0
# of Comma Splices = 0
# of Run-ons = 1

# of S/V Agr Errors = 0

Words per main clause = 13.4

Prep Phrases / Main Clause = 1.42
% of words in P Phrases = 33

Total Sub Clauses / Main Cl = .25

Sub Clauses Level 2+ / MC = 0

Words per paragraph = 40.3

Main clauses per paragraph = 3.0

Unanalyzed Text:

      Sexual harassment is an extremely volitile area these days. Other than the obvioous cases, it boils down to a difference of opinions or values that you have either placed upon yourself or grown up with.
      In this case it is hard to take a side because of the lack of information. The ladies were reprimanded because their skirts were distracting. In a work environment distractions lower productivity. (an employers concern) on the other hand an employer has to give his/her employees a little leeway, in order to keep up morale, therefore, increacing productivity.
     A compromise must be reached. The supervisor could have paid a little closer attention to his work, instead of the ladies skirts. And the ladies could have concidered the fact that length of their skirts might offend some of the employees.
     Obviously the stance on either of these opinions was strong. To immediately change ones values is impossible. Common ground must be reached, for all to coincide peacefully.