1. ACT
UBMS
English/Reading Summer 2012
Sentence Structure

2. Today’s Agenda Review passages. Review Sentence Structure.
Watch a few videos!
Yes,

3. Of the 40 Usage/Mechanics questions, eighteen will test you on your knowledge of sentence structure.
Connecting and Transitional Words
Subordinate or Dependent Clauses
Sentence Fragments
Comma Splices
Run-on Sentences
Misplaced Modifiers
Parallelism

4. Connecting and Transitional Words
FAN BOYS
For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Conjunctive Adverbs
however, also, consequently, nevertheless, thus,  moreover, furthermore, for example
Subordinating Conjunctions
AAAWWWUUBBIS
List of subordinating conjunctions here.

5. Subordinate or Independent CLAUSES
On ACT will be asked to select the most appropriate conjunction.
What is a clause?
Yes! Has a subject and a verb!
Subordinate
YES, has a S + V
NO, does not express a complete thought.
Independent = Sentence
YES, has a S + V
YES, does express a complete thought.

6. Sentence Fragments
Most sentence fragments on the English Test will be subordinate or dependent clauses trying to be complete sentences.
CAUTION! Fragments may LOOK like a sentence
BUT they do not SOUND like a sentence.
DO NOT express a complete thought.
We didn’t go outside. Even though the rain had stopped. 
A. NO CHANGE
B. outside;
C. outside; even
D. outside, even
We didn’t go outside. While the rain continued to fall.
F. NO CHANGE
G. Although the
H. The
J. Since the  

7. Comma Splices
CS occurs when two independent clauses are joined together by a comma with no intervening conjunction. For example,
Bowen walked to the park, Leah followed behind.
Three ways to correct a Comma Splice
, FAN BOY
. Cap ;

8. Run-On Sentences
Run-on sentences as comma splices minus the commas.For example,
Joan runs every day she is preparing for a marathon.
John likes to walk his dog through the park Kevin doesn’t.
Three ways to correct a Run-on Sentence…
, FAN BOY
. Cap ;

9. Misplaced Modifiers WARNING! Watch for the humor!
Bill packed his favorite clothes in his suitcase, which he planned to wear on vacation.
Click here for more examples at Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips.
View video here.

10. Parallelism =
When you see a list underlined on the English Test, look for a parallelism error.
Parallelism errors occur when items in a list are mismatched.
WRONG: In the pool area, there is no spitting, no running, and don’t throw your water bottles in the water.
RIGHT: In the pool area, there is no spitting, no running, and no throwing your water bottles in the water.
CORRECT THIS ONE:
The personal ad said that she likes “books, good food, and to take long walks on the beach.”
Edit these sentences.
Complete these sentences.

11. Yay!

12. Work Cited
“ACT Sparks Note Test Prep: Punctuation.” Spark Notes Retrieved June 12, 2011, from