2. Week 1 Introductory phrases and clauses + more Using “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

3. Grammar Lesson: Independent and Dependent Clauses Independent Clause An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. Dependent Clause A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word. Example: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz... (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

4. Grammar Lesson: Introductory words (transitions & names) and Introductory clauses (dependent clauses) need commas after them IF they appear before the independent clause in the sentence. An independent clause will have a subject (normally a noun) and predicate (a verb) and will be a complete thought. Examples: Introductory words/Transitions Bill, will you please play that song again? Furthermore, I would like a higher volume. Introductory clauses (dependent clauses) (fragments) These will most likely begin with prepositions or adverbs such as: although, because, though, after, before, if, until, etc. Before you play that song, [understood you] please tell me the artist. Though I’ve never heard of him, I like his sound. Note: If these phrases come AFTER the independent clause, they do not need a comma. [Understood You] Please tell me the artist before you play that song. I like his sound though I’ve never heard of him. Independent clause (complete sentence) Subject in blue, predicate in green, and completion of the thought is underlined. I like to listen to loud music.

5. #MentorSentenceMonday Sunshine, she is here, so you can take a break. What makes this a well-written sentence? Why does “sunshine” have a comma after it? Find the two independent clauses in this sentence. Link to song

6. #TransformItTuesday Because I’m happy I feel like a room without a roof. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence by adding punctuation. 2. After correcting the sentence, add a comma conjunction plus another COMPLETE sentence to the end of this corrected sentence to transform it into a compound/complex sentence. Correct: Because I’m happy, I feel like a room without a roof. Grammar Rule: You must add commas after introductory clauses and phrases IF they are in front of the independent clause. Notice that it doesn’t need a comma after flipping it around: I feel like a room without a roof because I’m happy. Compound/Complex: Because I’m happy, I feel like a room without a roof, and nothing can hold me down. Link to song

7. #WriteAboutItWednesday Link to song Write a paragraph of 5 sentences using 5 vocabulary words. Include one sentence with an introductory clause that begins with an adverb: although, because, though, after, before, if, until, etc.

8. #TestPrepThursday 1.Whenever I’m feeling happy, here comes the bad news. However I should probably warn you that I will be just fine. A.No change B.Remove the comma after happy C.Add a comma after you D.Add a comma after however 2.Nothing can bring me down because my level is too high. If you feel like happiness is the truth, will be just fine. A.No change B.Add a comma after down C.Add a subject to make the 2 nd sentence a complete sentence D.Remove the comma before will D. Because “However” is an introductory word. All introductory words need a comma. C. Because “Will be just fine” nor “If you feel like happiness is the truth” are complete sentences. You can’t have an introductory clause paired with an incomplete sentence.

9. #FiguresOfSpeechFriday Because I’m happy, I feel like a room without a roof. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence. Sunshine, she is here, so you can take a break. Simile: the comparison of one thing to another thing of a different kind using like or as to make the description more vivid. Personification: Giving inanimate objects human characteristics. Link to song