Writing Skills and Conventions EOCT Review Writing Skills and Conventions

Sentence kernels Combine the following independent clauses to create one sentence. Jeremy went to the store. Jeremy needed art supplies for his school project. Art supplies are expensive.

How did you do it? Because he needed art supplies for his school project, Jeremy went to the store; however, art supplies are expensive. Or….. Jeremy went to the store because he needed art supplies for his school project, but art supplies are expensive.

Combining Independent Clauses There are multiple ways of doing this correctly, but the key is to follow the rules of the method you choose. With a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY), always use a comma. Jeremy went to the store because he needed art supplies for his school project, but art supplies are expensive.

Combining Independent Clauses If you’re not using a coordinating conjunction, you will need to use a semicolon (;) Jeremy went to the store because he needed art supplies for his school project; however, art supplies are expensive. Sometimes you can just pull relevant details from separate independent clauses to create a clear sentence. Jeremy needed to go to the store to buy expensive art supplies for his school project.

Where else do I use commas? In a series: Allison brought a pencil, a notebook, and a snack to class. Separating city and state: Chattahoochee HS is located in Johns Creek, Georgia. In a date: The best day in the history of the world was March 9, 1982. In a direct address: Julie, please stop banging on the table!

Semicolon vs. Colon A semicolon is sort of between a comma and a period; it’s kind of like a comma on steroids. Did you notice I used one in that sentence? Sneaky… I know. A colon is more like a gateway where the words on the right side of the gate explain or clarify the words on the left side.

; In action… Last Friday was my birthday, my family and I went out to dinner. INCORRECT Last Friday was my birthday; my family and I went out to dinner. CORRECT!

: In Action I can’t believe I left all of these items at school; my phone, glasses, jacket, and backpack. INCORRECT I can’t believe I left all of these items at school: my phone, glasses, jacket, and backpack. CORRECT!