2.  As you complete this independent study, you’ll need to be…  A good listener  Focused  Willing to ask questions  An independent worker Are you up for the challenge? Let’s Go!

3.  First, you will need to access your Gathering Sheet by clicking here. Once it is opened, save it to Neff Storage. (when returning to do another lesson in the future, you’ll need to open it from Neff Storage – not here!) LESSON INSTRUCTIONS  Then, you’ll follow these LESSON INSTRUCTIONS:  Proceed to the List of Topics. Click on the first lesson.List of Topics  On the lesson page, read all of the text.  Then, click the link to hear what Grammar Girl has to say.  Fill in the Gathering Sheet. SAVE YOUR WORK!  Repeat these steps for all 12 lessons! Let’s Get Started! Let’s Get Started! Let’s Get Started! Let’s Get Started!

4. Click on any topic to jump to that page: 1. Comma Splice Comma Splice 2. Appositives Appositives 3. Apostrophes Apostrophes 4. Good vs. Well Good vs. Well 5. Transition Words Transition Words 6. Metaphors and Similes Metaphors and Similes 7. Pronouns and Antecedents Pronouns and Antecedents 8. Sentence Fragments Sentence Fragments 9. Run-On Sentences Run-On Sentences 10. Title Capitalization Rules Title Capitalization Rules 11. Bad vs. Badly Bad vs. Badly 12. Yoda Grammar Yoda Grammar

5.  A comma splice is when two sentences are combined simply by joining them with a comma. Usually, they need to be combined with a comma AND a coordinating conjunction.  Comma Splice (wrong!) We went to the store, we bought ice cream.  Correct Example (right!) We went to the store, and we bought ice cream.  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

6.  Appositives are used to rename a noun or enclose information. The “renaming” must always be set off with commas. Check out these examples:  Example 1. My father, a police officer, won an award.  Example 2. Florida, my favorite vacation spot, has beautiful beaches.  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

7.  Apostrophes are used to  Create contractions  Ex. Don’t, shouldn’t  Show possession  Ex. Mike’s bike, the rabbits’ tails  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

8.  Are you good at using “well?” Well, are you? That’s good! Or is it well?  Enough of the silliness. Let’s learn when to use them!  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

9.  When we go from one idea to another, our goal is to do it (transition) smoothly and to organize our thoughts for the listener/reader.  Examples of transition words:  First, second, then, next, however  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

10.  Similes make comparisons using “like” or “as.”  It’s as easy as pie.  Metaphors compare two things (nouns) but don’t use “like” or “as.”  My little brother is a tornado around the house!  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

11.  Pronouns take the place of another noun. The noun that is replaced is a pronoun’s antecedent.  Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, …  Sample sentences:  Mark likes to go fishing. He’s the best fisherman I know. (He = pronoun, Mark = antecedent).  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

12.  A sentence fragment doesn’t express a complete thought. It is often lacking a subject or predicate.  Examples:  The boy in the blue shirt.  Went to the fair.  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

13.  Run-on sentences combine sentences or parts of sentences without following grammatical rules.  Example: At the concert, I shook the hand of my favorite singer it was awesome!  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

14.  When writing titles of books, movies, bands, etc., there are certain capitalization rules to be followed.  Examples:  Diary of a Wimpy Kid  Night at the Museum  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

15.  Do you feel bad or badly?  Did the baseball player throw bad or badly?  Grammar Girl’s got the answers!  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE

16.  This one is some language fun. ENJOY!  Click HERE to hear the Grammar Girl audio.HERE