Stop! Grammar Time!

Stop! Grammar Time! Spelling; Vocabulary Punctuation Diction; Syntax Wordiness; Redundancy Grammar

Stop! Grammar Time! Do the crime, do the time.

Spelling / Vocabulary Grammar Typos Give yourself time to proofread. Wrong Word Spell-Check isn’t enough. Synonym Tool A thesaurus can make you sound stupid, not smart. Empty Word Bank Use a dictionary; play Words with Friends! Grammar

Punctuation Matters Periods Commas Semicolons Run-ons Fragments Grammar

Stop! Grammar Time! Blog Post/Activity Launch: Punctuation Changes Meaning Solo Activity: Using your personal electronic device (PEDs!), find a meme related to punctuation and upload it to the blog by leaving a comment on the Punctuation Changes Meaning post. Do Now! Finish for HW.

Stop! Grammar Time!

Stop! Grammar Time! Spelling; Vocabulary Punctuation Diction; Syntax Wordiness; Redundancy Grammar

Punctuation Matters Periods Commas Semicolons Run-ons Fragments

End marks: All sentences need an end mark: a period, question mark, exclamation point, or ellipsis. Never put two end marks at the end of the same sentence. Commas: In direct address, use commas to separate the name from the rest of the sentence. In lists, place commas between items in a list, but not before the first item. Before conjunctions, when combining two complete sentences with a conjunction, place a comma before the conjunction. If you have one subject and two verbs, don’t put a comma before the conjunction. Contractions do not belong in academic writing. Therefore, we use apostrophes only to show possession or ownership. Apostrophes: For singular ownership, generally add ’s; for plural ownership, generally add s’. Boy’s glove = The boy owned a glove. Boys’ gloves = The boys owned gloves.

The Oxford Comma AKA the serial comma (because it’s used in a series) is placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (usually and, or, or nor) in a series of three or more terms.

Semicolon ; You can also use semicolons to separate long or complicated items in a series that already includes commas, and to separate two long or complex independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if confusion would result from using a comma. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses in compound sentences that do not have coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet) and commas as connectors. Words like however, moreover, thus, and therefore, are often used as connectors in these sentences.

Commas and Semicolons Simplified Commas are for a short pause. Semicolons are for a longer pause. Commas cannot function as a period. Semicolons can function as a period. This means that commas do not separate complete sentences but semicolons do separate complete sentences. This means that there has to be a subject and a verb on both sides of the punctuation for it to be a semicolon. If there is not a subject and verb on both sides, then it should be a comma.

Commas and Semicolons Simplified Quick Tip: Read the sentence aloud in your head. If you would naturally pause, put a comma where you’d pause. Then check both sides and see if there is a complete sentence on both sides. If so, a comma doesn’t belong. In this case, put a period where you’d pause. Does that work? Then a semicolon belongs.

Practice Part 1: Commas vs. Semicolons Directions: Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Put in the necessary punctuation. 1. Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. 2. Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years and he now conducts a community orchestra. 3. The crab grass was flourishing but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

Practice Part 2: Commas vs. Semicolons Directions: Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Put in the necessary punctuation. 4. The hill was covered with wildflowers it was a beautiful sight. 5. As I turned around, I heard a loud thump for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl. 6. The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.

Practice Part 3: Commas vs. Semicolons Directions: Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Put in the necessary punctuation. 7. The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on everything was ready for the guests' arrival. 8. He looked carefully in the underbrush but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him. 9. The foundations of the house had been poured but, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

Practice Part 4: Commas vs. Semicolons Directions: Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Put in the necessary punctuation. 10. The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second however, it could not think spontaneously. 11. I thought registration day would be tiring but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines. 12. The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me I was so frightened that I ran.

Punctuation Tasks Solo Classwork for a grade: Punctuation Task Handout  To begin, mark the text with proper punctuation (of any kind). Then, in the space provided, rewrite the text in letter format, including proper punctuation throughout so that the meaning of the text is clear. Do now. Turn in BYL. Solo Homework for a grade: Read through Grammar Basics Study Guide  complete Run-ons worksheet; complete Fragments worksheet. Due next class.

Solo Classwork Answer Key Dear Jack, I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful; people who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men! I yearn for you. I have no feelings, whatsoever, when we’re apart. I can be forever happy—will you let me be yours? Jill

Solo Classwork Answer Key 2 Dear Jack, I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Jill

Stop! Grammar Time!

Stop! Grammar Time! Spelling; Vocabulary Punctuation Diction; Syntax Wordiness; Redundancy Grammar

Diction and Syntax Diction: Choose the right word for the context. Syntax: Arrange the words in proper order so that the sentence makes sense. Solo Classwork Assignment: Complete the Commonly Confused Words Part I and II during class. Turn in BYL. Do Now!

Wordiness ADD TEXT HERE. Grammar