1. Grammar Sentence structure

2. Review - Clauses Independent clause: a phrase/clause that expresses a complete thought, and can function as a complete sentence Dependent clause: group of words that does not express a complete thought BOTH must have a subject and a verb! Independent and dependent clauses can be combined to create sentences of different structures

3. Simple Sentence Independent clause [.] – No other punctuation needed except the period at the end! Examples: – Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma. – They are unsure of its cause. – They have called for more research.

4. Compound Sentence Option 1: Independent clause [,] conjunction independent clause [.] Option 2: Independent clause [;] independent clause [.] Option 3: Independent clause [;] transition [,] independent clause [.] – Transitions include therefore, moreover, thus, however, also…

5. Compound Sentence Examples: – Option 1: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, and they are unsure of its cause. – Option 2: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; they are unsure of its cause. – Option 3: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called for more research.

6. Complex Sentence Option 1: Dependent clause [,] independent clause[.] Option 2: Independent clause dependent clause [.] – Notice no comma here! Examples: – Because doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, they have called for more research. – Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma because it is a common, treatable illness.

7. Assignment Part 1: three sentences should use comma + conjunction, and four should use semicolons – Refer to the notes you just took for how to punctuate these! Part 2-4: follow directions as written. Remember to underline your dependent clauses in Part 3 and Part 4!

8. Active and Passive Voice

9. Terms Defined Active voice: subject performs the action or causes the action – Example: Joe threw the ball. Subject Verb Object Passive voice: subject receives the action – The ball was thrown by Joe. Object Verb Subject Strong writing uses active voice! (“Active voice is used in strong writing” – not strong!)

10. Passive Voice Not strong, but has a time and place Used in following instances: – Intentionally hiding the subject of the sentence “Mistakes were made” – by whom? (Nixon quote) – Intentionally trying to minimize guilt of subject “Plagiarism was committed by me” versus “I plagiarized.” – When PV better emphasizes main point of passage “Children were harmed by unlicensed bus drivers”

11. Comparing Passive and Active Voice Passive Voice 1.The subject receives action or is not doing action 2.Usually wordier 3.Creates boredom, world hunger, depletes ozone layer (JK, but really) 4.Uses many to be verbs 5.Equivalent of watching corn grow Active Voice 1.Subject performs action 2.Direct and concise 3.Creates interest 4.Uses all action verbs 5.Equivalent of watching Lebron James (or Joshua Dobbs )

12. To be verbs To be verbs: am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had Passive: He was bludgeoned by the boxer. Active: The boxer bludgeoned him. Weak: I had an argument with the referee. Active: I argued with the referee. Weak: I had dinner with the sheriff. Active: I dined with the sheriff.

13. How to Eliminate Be Verbs 1.Change the be verb to a strong verb 2.Eliminate the be verb by writing one or more “showing” sentence – DETAILS! 3.Combine sentences to eliminate the be verb 4.Eliminate the entire sentence if its omission does not change the meaning of the passage 5.Leave the be verb if it alters the meaning, weakens the passage, or makes the structure unworkable.

14. When to Use Passive Voice Use it very rarely!! Active voice creates emphasis and energy (as opposed to Energy and emphasis are created by active voice.) 1.To emphasize the object of the action 2.To deemphasize the subject of an action 3.To avoid blame 4.To provide continuity and consistency

15. Assignment We’ll do 1-5 together You may write your answers on the handout Answers are posted around the room Clue: If you can add “by zombies” to the end of the sentence, it’s passive! – Ex: The door was opened (by zombies)