The document discusses sentence fragments and what defines them. A fragment is a piece of text that is missing something that would make it a complete, independent sentence, such as a subject or verb. While fragments try to convey an idea or message, they ultimately fail because the meaning depends on additional context. Complete sentences must be able to stand alone and express a complete thought without relying on other sentences for clarification.

1. Sentence Fragments Like a sentence. Not, though. Don’t make sense. Sentence missing. Something.

2. What is a fragment? A fragment really wants to be a sentence, but it’s missing something. Typically it is missing a subject (noun) or verb. Really, it’s almost a sentence. Sometimes you even have a pretty good idea what the fragment is trying to say. If it’s so close to being a sentence, then what’s the big deal? Well, the following pictures demonstrate other “close but not quite” situations. You tell me if it matters.

3. Close But Not Quite

4. Close But Not Quite

5. Close But Not Quite

6. Close But Not Quite

7. Close But Not Quite

8. Close But Not Quite

9. Back to Fragments Like those situations, a sentence fragment tries to convey a message but ultimately fails. Examples: Because of the rain. (What happened?) Saw the moon! (Who saw it?) Without her mom? (Huh?)

10. Fragments A sentence needs to be independent. The sentence can’t depend on the surrounding sentences to explain what it means. Example: Martha had to grab her umbrella before she ran to her bus top. Because of the rain. Without the first sentence, the fragment doesn’t make sense. It isn’t independent.

11. To Conclude A sentence is independent and contains both a subject and a verb. Just in case you missed it, go back to the title slide and have a good laugh.