Sentence Structure & Punctuation Writing Criteria 2017

ANSWER: I have not heard of it. How should Yoda’s ‘sentence’ be rearranged so that it is correct grammatically? What else is wrong with his ‘sentence’? ANSWER: I have not heard of it.

Sentence Syntax or formula: The basics QUESTION 1 Listen to the song and complete the following: The subject: The predicate: SONG Sentence Syntax or formula: The basics

The subject: tells who or what the sentence is about. The predicate: tells what the subject does.

Are all of these sentences complete and grammatically correct? YES!! The boy plays. John kicks the ball. The girl is pretty. The boy is a student. The boy ran quickly.

What kind of sentences are these? Simple Compound Complex Compound- complex Simple

Language Focus 1: Run on Sentences A run on sentence is two complete sentences that have been joined together in the wrong way using incorrect punctuation or no punctuation.

Examples – Can you Identify the two complete sentences in these run on sentences? The dog followed me home, it looked hungry. I gave the dog a piece of raw steak from the fridge, my mum got angry at me when she saw what I’d done. The dog had a collar with a tag on it I knew it belonged to somebody. Mum called the number on the tag, a nice man answered. The man came to our house he thanked me for looking after his dog. I’m glad I helped the man get his dog back he said the dog was his best friend.

Comma Splices and Fused Sentences Run on sentences combined using a comma like the ones in the above examples are called Comma Splices. Eg. The dog followed me home, it looked hungry. Run on sentences combined without any punctuation are also known as Fused Sentences. Eg. The man came to our house he thanked me for looking after his dog.

Corrected Examples – identify 3 different ways the run on sentences have been corrected. The dog followed me home. It looked hungry. I gave the dog a piece of raw steak from the fridge, but my mum got angry at me when she saw what I’d done. The dog had a collar with a tag on it, so I knew it belonged to somebody. Mum called the number on the tag, and a nice man answered. The man came to our house. He thanked me for looking after his dog. I’m glad I helped the man get his dog back; he said the dog was his best friend.

Use a full stop A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its parts correctly. There are several ways to connect independent clauses. The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence into smaller sentences using a full stop. This works especially well with longer sentences. Check, however, to make sure that this solution does not result in short, choppy sentences. I love to mark students’ assignments. I would mark one every day if I had the chance.

Use a semicolon Inserting a semicolon between independent clauses creates a grammatically correct sentence. Using a semicolon is a stylistic choice that establishes a close relationship between the two sentences. I love to mark students’ assignments; I would mark one every day if I had the chance.

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) A comma, paired with a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or or), corrects a run-on sentence. This method emphasizes the relationship between the two clauses. I love to mark students’ assignments, and I would mark one every day if I had the chance.

Use a subordinating conjunction Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. A subordinating conjunction (such as because, unless, and although) connects two clauses to create a complex sentence. This option works to cement the relationship between the two parts of the sentence and may improve the flow of the clauses. Because I love to mark students’ assignments, I would mark one every day if I had the chance.

Compound-complex Sentences She completed her literature review, but she still needs to work on her methods section even though she finished her methods course last semester. Although he organized his sources by theme, he decided to arrange them chronologically, and he carefully followed the meal plan for organization.  With pizza and soda at hand, they studied APA rules for many hours, and they decided that writing in APA made sense because it was clear, concise, and objective.

Compound-Complex Sentences Has two or more independent clauses (main clause) and at least one dependent clause (subordinate clause). Examples – can you identify the different clauses? Because I paid attention, I got an A on the test and I was so happy. I went home because it was getting late, but I had to wait on the porch until my mom got home anyway.