The document discusses different types of sentence errors such as fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, dependent clauses, phrases, and prepositional phrases. It provides examples of each type of error and explains how to fix them, such as adding subjects, verbs, conjunctions, or punctuation like commas and semicolons. The document stresses the importance of revising sentences to avoid fragments, run-ons, and other errors.
Table of Contents
List of Conjunctions………………….........slide 3
What is a conjunction?..............................slide 4
Types of Conjunctions…………….....slides 5-13
Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinate Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctive Adverbs
Quiz and Answers…………………....slide 14-15
What is a conjunction?
Coordinating ConjunctionsThese conjunctions are seven very common words. They are very small, made up of three or fewer letters.
When to Use Each Coordinating Conjunction:
Subordinate Conjunctions cont….Subordinate conjunctions often begin a dependent clause. If the dependent clause begins or interrupts the sentence, then it is separated from the independent clause by a comma.
Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctive AdverbsConjunctive adverbs provide connections and transitions that clarify or limit the meaning of words.
Conjunctive Adverbs cont….
Table of Contents
List of Conjunctions………………….........slide 3
What is a conjunction?..............................slide 4
Types of Conjunctions…………….....slides 5-13
Coordinating Conjunctions
Subordinate Conjunctions
Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctive Adverbs
Quiz and Answers…………………....slide 14-15
What is a conjunction?
Coordinating ConjunctionsThese conjunctions are seven very common words. They are very small, made up of three or fewer letters.
When to Use Each Coordinating Conjunction:
Subordinate Conjunctions cont….Subordinate conjunctions often begin a dependent clause. If the dependent clause begins or interrupts the sentence, then it is separated from the independent clause by a comma.
Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctive AdverbsConjunctive adverbs provide connections and transitions that clarify or limit the meaning of words.
Conjunctive Adverbs cont….
I Know What I Want To Say, But I Don’t Know .docxsheronlewthwaite
I Know
What I Want
To Say,
But I Don’t
Know How
To Say It __
Seventh Edition
By David Dominguez, English Instructor
With special contributions by instructors from Reedley College: Eileen Apperson,
Emily Berg, David Borofka, Deborah Borofka, Vanessa Buldo, Linda Cooley,
Nicole Cooper, Rick Garza, Carey Karle, Deborah Lapp, Ryan LaSalle, Lori
Levine, Deborah Lyons, Rebecca Snyder, Elaine Stamper, and Kate Watts. Special
thanks also to all my former and current embedded tutors, especially Laura Hand.
2
For by some innate power the true sublime uplifts our souls; we are filled with a
proud exaltation and a sense of vaunting joy, just as though we ourselves produced
what we had heard.
—Longinus, On the Sublime
But the torero bitten by duende gives us a lesson in Pythagorean music and makes
us forget he is always tossing his heart over the bull’s horns.
—Federico Garcia Lorca, “Play and Theory of the Duende”
This book is dedicated to the Students of Reedley College.
3
CHAPTER ONE: Sentence Structure
I. Writing Complete Sentences 7
II. Avoiding Incomplete Sentences 7
III. Understanding Run-On Sentences: the Comma Splice and the Sentence Fuse 8
IV. Correcting Comma Splices and Sentence Fuses 9
V. Mastering the Four Sentence Types 9
VI. Avoiding Wordy, Confusing, and Vague Syntax 11
CHAPTER TWO: Punctuation Marks
I. How to Use the Apostrophe 13
II. How to Use the Colon 14
III. How to Use the Comma 15
IV. How Not to Use the Comma 18
V. How to Use the Dash 18
VI. How to Use the Ellipsis Mark 19
VII. How to Use Quotation Marks 20
VIII. How Not to Use Quotation Marks 20
IX. How to Use the Semicolon 21
CHAPTER THREE: Grammar
I. Adjectives and Adverbs 23
II. Prepositions 24
III. Pronouns 27
IV. Verb Errors 31
CHAPTER FOUR: Mechanics
I. Capitalization 39
II. Hyphens 40
III. Italics and Underlining 40
IV. Numbers 41
V. Titles of Works 42
CHAPTER FIVE: Maintaining an Academic Voice
I. Avoid Clichés 44
II. Avoid Slang 44
III. Avoid Social Media Jargon 45
IV. Avoid Confusing Shifts in Points of View 46
V. Proper Academic Voice 47
4
CHAPTER SIX: The Research Process and Avoiding Plagiarism
I. Sources 49
II. Evaluate Your Sources 49
III. Reedley College Database 49
IV. Staying Organized 49
V. Plagiarism 50
CHAPTER SEVEN: MLA Guidelines
I. How to Format an Essay According to the MLA Guidelines 52
II. How to Summarize and Paraphrase—an Introduction 53
III. How to Summarize 53
IV. How to Paraphrase 54
V. How to Summarize and Paraphrase—Final Thoughts 54
VI. How to Use Signal Phrases and Parenthetical Citations with the Author Named in a Signal Phrase Method for In-text
Citations 55
VII. How to Format Short and Long Quotations of Prose and Poetry 59
VIII. How to use the MLA Author Named in a Signal Phrase to Cite Direct Quotations—the Basics 61
IX. How to Write a Works Cited ...
13. A dependent clause contains both a subject and verb, but cannot stand alone as a sentence. It needs an independent clause to be complete.
14. Recently retired ArchBishop Desmund Tutu was awarded the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. Because he fought to end apartheid. (connect dependent clause to independent clause)
15. See note for more on revising and attaching dependent clauses .
16.
17. They lack a subject , verb , and cannot stand alone in a sentence .
39. See note for tips on revising run ons , fragments , and fused sentences . Grammar checkers will only correct about 50% of run ons, fragments, and fused sentences.
Editor's Notes
Run these tests to determine if your sentence is complete: 1. Does the sentence have a verb? If not, you have a sentence fragment. Example-Today the school bus running late. Example Revised-Today the school bus is running late. 2. Does the sentence have a subject? If not, you have a sentence fragment. Example-Jumped into the ocean. (who did?) Example Revised- Bethany jumped into the ocean. 3. Does your subject and verb lack a connection to an independent clause? If so, you have a sentence fragment. Example-If I run there. Example Revised-If I run there, I will reach my goal for the week.
Dependent clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions (although, because, etc) or a relative pronoun (which, who, etc). Remember, if you have the relative pronoun ”which” starting a clause, you are dealing with a dependent clause most likely. Besides attaching a dependent clause to an independent clause to create a complex sentence, there other ways to revise dependent clauses: Remove the subordinate conjunction to make a complex sentence Hershin declared war. Because Disonia bombed their capital city. (second sentence is a dependent clause) Revise to... Hershin declared war. Disonia bombed their capital city. (remove subordinating conjunction to make two independent clauses)
Many times, fragments will be introduced by transitional expressions. To revise them, add the subject and verb (see example on slide). Example In addition, four new litter boxes for the cats. (missing subject/verb) Example Revised In addition, we need four new litter boxes for the cats.
Some things to look in erronous comma splices... A pronoun starting the second independent clause Example-Olivia Dunham was a FBI agent, she solved many paranormal cases. A transitional expression (aka conjunctive adverb) starting the second independent clause Example-Walter Bishop was a brilliant scientist, nevertheless, he was also mentally ill. A second independent clause that explains the first clause Walter Bishop was a brilliant scientist behind many of this universe's most absurb inventions, shifting through parellel dimensions among them.
On page 158 in Hacker there is a nice flowchart for revising runon sentences that I need to scan. If you'd like a copy, please email me. Comma Splices/Fused Sentences There are a number of ways to revise comma splices and fused sentences. 1. Add a period between clauses to create two sentences. Example (for all comma splices) Charles Dickens created the character of Mr. Micawber he also created Uriah Heep. (fused sentence) Example Revised Charles Dickens created the character of Mr. Micawber. He also created Uriah Heep. 2. Add a semicolon between clauses to create a compound sentence. Example Revised Charles Dickens created the character of Mr. Micawber; he also created Uriah Heep. 3. Add a coordinating conjunction between the clauses to create a compound sentence. Example Revised Charles Dickens created the character of Mr. Micawber, and he also created Uriah Heep. 4. Subordinate one clause to the other to create a compound sentence. Example Revised Charles Dickens, who created the character of Mr. Micawber, also also created Uriah Heep. Fragments On page 149 of Hacker, there is a great fragment flowchart I need to scan. If you want it, please email me. To revise fragments, you can try one of these methods: 1. Attach the fragment to a nearby sentence. Example I tripped and fell on the grass. Running up the hill. (second sentence is a fragment) Example Revised Running up the hill, I tripped and fell on the grass. 2. Turn the fragment into a sentence. Example Sawyer jumped out of the helicoptor, landing in the ocean. And swam back to The Island. (second sentence is a fragment) Example Revised Sawyer jumped out of the helicoptor, landing in the ocean. He swam back to The Island.