Grammar and Stuff

Format of Essays  Heading:  Your name  Instructor’s name  Assignment description  Date assignment turned in  1” margins  Indent each paragraph  12 pitch using a legible font  Sans Serif vs Serif

Unity and Coherency  One topic  One main idea  One thesis  This usually means that you are writing on one subject with an emphasis on its significance  Repetitive key nouns  Consistent pronouns  Transitional signal words or phrases  Chronological  Temporal  Logical order of ideas  Space order  Order of importance  Chronological order

Sentences – are made up of clauses: both independent and dependent; they are complete thoughts Simple –I researched. –Subject + verb Complete –I researched a subject. –Subject + verb + object Compound (coordinating conjunctions & conjunctive adverbs) –I researched a subject and I wrote a brief summary. –Independent clause +conjunction + independent clause Complex (subordinating conjunctions) –I researched a subject because it was required. –Independent clause + dependent clause that begins with a subordinator Compound-Complex –I researched a subject because it was required; however, I wanted to write on something else. –Independent clause + dependent clause that begins with a subordinator + independent clause that begins with a subordinator

Conjunction  For – I am a little hungry, for I didn’t eat breakfast this morning  Connects a result to a reason  And – Mrs Hanzek likes to cook and sew.  Connects similar ideas  Nor – She does not eat meat, nor does she drink milk.  Connects two negative sentences  But – I like to eat fish but I don’t like to catch them.  Connects equal different ideas  Or – Do you prefer to drink coffee or tea?  Connects two equal choices  Yet – It is sunny yet cold.  Connects equal yet contrasting ideas  So – I did not eat breakfast this morning, so I am a little hungry.  Connects a reason to a result.

Verb Tenses 1. Judy saved thirty dollars. (past) action that was completed in the past 2. Judy will save thirty dollars. (future) action that will end in the future 3. Judy has saved thirty dollars. (present perfect) A conjugation of Have + [VERB+ed] describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present or that occurred in the recent past. 4. Judy had saved thirty dollars by the end of last month. (past perfect) Had + [VERB+ed] describes actions that began and ended in the past. 5. Judy will have saved thirty dollars by the end of this month. (future perfect) action which began in the past but which continues into the present or the effect of which still continues. 6. I am taking Spanish this semester. (present progressive) Present Continuous Action Is + [VERB+ing] shows action that is in progress now or is going to happen in the future. 7. Yesterday I was working in the garden. (past progressive)  Past Continuous Action (Past Progressive) Was + [VERB+ing] shows action that was in progress at a certain time in the past.

To Semi or Not to Semi  Semi-colons (;):  Use when adding another complete sentence with the same thought  Colons (:):  Use when writing out a list or to give attention to a phrase of sorts.

How to use a semi-colon  I researched a subject; however, I didn’t write anything on it.  I wrote a book; I wrote it in a year.  The home is a haven; the haven is a home.

Comma Splice / Run On  CS: I am not following the advice of a doctor, I usually don’t, I am a strong believer of the organic way of healing, I know I can heal myself in that way.  RO: I am not following the advice of a doctor I usually don’t I am a strong believer of the organic way of healing.

Who, which, that – when to use it  Use this words in conjunction with the subject you are referring to.  She loved him, who was the love of her life.  The cat loved tuna, which was not part of his diet plan.  The life of Harry Potter is so intriguing that I have become a fan.

This and That Numbers (Counting) under 100 should be spelled out, unless it is a scientific or formulated number like: $ out of % COUNTING Numbers: Ninety-nine bottles of coke Seventy-five books Thirty students Refrain from using words / or phrases like: got to drive do cooking Slang / colloquial words (words you use with your friends KEEP these words to a minimum really very a lot