Writing Competencies Conceptual and Organizational Skills Word Choice Skills Sentence Structure Skills Practice Test Review

Conceptual and Organizational Skills Logical order  Theme for sentences Irrelevant sentences  material that has little or no connection to the main idea

Identify Logical Order in a Written Passage Topic sentence states a theme for the supporting sentences to follow Example: A paragraph describing the important events of teacher’s day in the classroom may be themed by The chronological order of the events The relative importance of the events

Identify Irrelevant Sentences in a Written Passage Every sentence must be related to the main idea Example: November and December are wonderful months for gardening in St. Petersburg, Florida. While residents of northern states are more concerned with preparations for winter, gardeners on the Suncoast of Florida can enjoy natural circumstances that enhance their efforts. Football enthusiasts in November and December can enjoy the sport throughout the country. Temperatures in Florida are warm enough to grow abundant amounts of flowers and vegetables. Plants and gardeners are relatively free from the pesky bug populations that present problems during the summer. If you enjoy gardening, you'll find November and December good months in St. Petersburg, Florida.

see IRRELEVANT SENTENCES handout Irrelevant Sentences November and December are wonderful months for gardening in St. Petersburg, Florida. While residents of northern states are more concerned with preparations for winter, gardeners on the Suncoast of Florida can enjoy natural circumstances that enhance their efforts. Football enthusiasts in November and December can enjoy the sport throughout the country. Temperatures in Florida are warm enough to grow abundant amounts of flowers and vegetables. Plants and gardeners are relatively free from the pesky bug populations that present problems during the summer. If you enjoy gardening, you'll find November and December good months in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Word Choice Skills Selection of the appropriate word Recognize commonly misused words Recognize diction and tone

Choose the Appropriate Word or Expression for a Given Context Words chosen must be appropriate to the message  denotative terms: words that convey an exact meaning  connotative terms: words that carry emotional, humorous, or negative associations

Example Misuse of the denotative word "addiction" is: Martin has the addiction of biting his fingernails. The sentence could be corrected by: Martin has the habit of biting his fingernails.

see APPROPRIATE WORD handout Practice She gave the teacher a copout for missing three days of class. She gave the teacher an excuse for missing three days of class. The doctor will access the test results. The doctor will assess the test results Every student accept John passed the test. Every student except John passed the test.

Recognize Commonly Confused or Misused Words or Phrases 1.Murphy’s Law is a principal I’ve found to be true. 2.Mr. Brown is the principle of the elementary school. Corrected Sentences: 1.Murphy’s Law is a principle I’ve found to be true. 2.Mr. Brown is the principal of the elementary school. Words that look or sound similar are often misused.

Recognize Diction and Tone Appropriate to a Given Audience Diction  the choice and arrangement of words in a passage Such as a letter to your friend then will differ in diction from a letter to your supervisor Tone  description of his or her mood and purpose read as if the author was reading aloud

Recognize Correct Placement of Modifiers An example of misplaced modifiers is: The graceful black cat followed the boy with a red collar and a white spot on its throat. The sentence could be corrected by: The graceful black cat with a red collar and a white spot on its throat followed the boy. Modifiers need to be placed near the words they describe

Recognize Parallelism, Including Parallel Expressions for Parallel Ideas I like reading, writing, and to swim in the lake. Example: I like… Reading. Writing. To swim in the lake.  Change to swimming to the lake

Example Most students have the choice of vacationing or to go to summer school. Most students have the choice of Vacationing To go to summer school  Change to “going to summer school”

Recognize Fragments, Comma Splices, and Run-on Sentences Fragment  part of a complete sentence; usually a sentence fragment has no verb Example:  People trying to buy homes today with the interest rates as high as they are.  People are trying to buy homes today although interest rates are high.

Fragment Example Wanting to be the best fullback even though Henry is small. Henry wants to be the best fullback even though he is small. or Although Henry is small he wants to be the best full back.

Recognize Fragments, Comma Splices, and Run-on Sentences Comma splice  Incorrectly joins two independent clauses with a comma Example:  Try to use all of your skills, you may make the first team.  Try to use all of your skills, and you may make the first team.

Comma Splice Example It rained all day, consequently, we had to postpone the picnic. It rained all day; consequently, we had to postpone the picnic.

Recognize Fragments, Comma Splices, and Run-on Sentences Run-on sentence  Incorrectly runs two independent clauses together without punctuation Example  The police found the lost boy he was asleep under a tree.  The police found the lost boy; he was asleep under a tree.

Run-On Example I worked all day rain and hail didn't stop me. Correct Sentence: I worked all day; rain and hail didn't stop me.

Essay Practice Test Version