My tip is also "simple-minded," but it does help freshman writing students
in choosing between "effect" and "affect."

I tell them that (usually) they can confidently choose "affect" if they are
using the word to imply an action and that they can remember to make that
choice by noting that both "affect" and "act" or "action" begin with an "a."
Occasionally (not as often as I'd like), a student will point out that
"effect" (as in "to effect a change") also implies an action.  Then we
discuss exceptions.  But this simplistic little mnemonic device usually
seems to help in the most common situations.

Thanks for all the excellent information and food for thought. As one of
those in the trenches of community college teaching, I find the questions
and responses both intellectually stimulating and practically
helpful.

Barbara Muller
-----Original Message-----
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 6/7/2004 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: affect/effect

I have a simple-minded tip that does not get at the real difference
between 'affect/effect,' but it sure helps students remember the
difference.

I suggest that they try  replacing affect/effect with word "alter."  If
the sentence makes sense using "alter" (though meaning is changed a
little), then the correct choice is usually "affect."  Both begin with
"a"--"affect" and "alter".  Since you can't say "to take alter," the
correct choice would be "to take effect."   The tip would would in a
sentence such as "I was greatly affected/altered by the experience."
This tip works for almost all common uses of "affect."

Again, this is not 'real grammar' since I'm giving a rather simplistic
tip, but frankly I've found it useful myself when trying to remember to
difference.  I also cover the matter in a more complete, technical way,
but I never had much luck unless I coupled the discussion with the silly
tip given above.

Larry Beason


  _____

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nancy Lange
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 12:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: affect/effect



Which is correct and why? (Some people don't believe me!)



"Please log in and log out in order for the changes to take effect."



"Please log in and log out in order for the changes to take affect."



Thank you.



Nancy Lange

Language Arts educator

Bay Port High School

2710 Cardinal Lane

Green Bay, WI  54313

(920) 662-7146

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-------------------------------
Larry Beason
Director of Composition
Dept. of English, Univ. of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688
251-460-7861
-------------------------------

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