2. Week 1 Introductory phrases and clauses + more Using
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Feb 1st-5th

3. 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:
Independent clause (complete sentence)
Subject in blue, predicate in green, and completion of the thought is underlined.
I like to listen to loud music.
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.
Introductory words/Transitions
Bill, will you please play that song again?
Furthermore, I would like a higher volume.

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

5. Because I’m happy I feel like a room without a roof.
#TransformItTuesday
Link to song
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.

6. #TransformItTuesday
Link to song
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.

7. #TestPrepWednesday
Whenever I’m feeling happy, here comes the bad news. However I should probably warn you that I will be just fine.
No change
Remove the comma after happy
Add a comma after you
Add a comma after however
D. Because “However” is an introductory word. All introductory words need a comma.
Nothing can bring me down because my level is too high. If you feel like happiness is the truth, will be just fine.
No change
Add a comma after down
Add a subject to make the 2nd sentence a complete sentence
Remove the comma before will
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.

8. What lesson can we learn from Jason McElwain’s story?
Video Journal # 1
Click on the image to see the video.
What lesson can we learn from Jason McElwain’s story?
© Presto Plans

9. Because I’m happy, I feel like a room without a roof.
#FiguresOfSpeechThursday
Link to song
Because I’m happy, I feel like a room without a roof.
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.
1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause.
2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.