Written Communication and Grammar Flashcards

Which sentence best demonstrates objectivity in a police report?

Answer: The driver's speech was slurred and he failed the field sobriety test.

Objective reports use observable facts rather than assumptions or loaded language.

Identify the sentence with a misplaced modifier.

Answer: The detective noticed the missing wallet only.

Placing 'only' at the end creates ambiguity about what 'only' modifies in the sentence.

Which word pair is an example of commonly confused homophones relevant to police reports?

Answer: Their / There / They're

'Their,' 'there,' and 'they're' are homophones that sound identical but have different meanings and spellings.

In report writing, what is the purpose of using chronological order?

Answer: To present events in the order they occurred for clarity.

Chronological order presents events as they unfolded, making reports easier to follow and verify.

Which sentence avoids the use of jargon or unnecessary abbreviations?

Answer: The deceased individual was transported to the medical examiner's office.

Clear reports use plain language that can be understood by all readers, including those unfamiliar with police jargon.

Which transition word best indicates a contrast between two ideas?

Answer: However

'However' signals a contrast or shift in the direction of the argument or narrative.

What does it mean when a sentence contains a 'run-on' error?

Answer: Two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation.

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are fused without correct punctuation or conjunctions.