1. Prepared by Joanna Chrzanowski, Ph.D.
PowerPoint Presentations Pathways for Writing Scenarios: From Sentence to Paragraph, Second Edition Chapter 5
Prepared by Joanna Chrzanowski, Ph.D. 1

2. Chapter 5: Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices
All punctuation serves one primary purpose—to separate.
To correct and avoid run-on sentences and comma splices, you need a good grasp of both
in between-sentence punctuation (periods, question marks, and exclamation points) and
within-sentence punctuation (commas, colons, semicolons, hyphens, dashes, etc.). 2

3. Chapter 5: Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices
Take a look at between-sentence punctuation examples: 3

4. Chapter 5: Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices
Commas, colons, semicolons, hyphens, dashes, quotation marks, and parenthesis all separate parts of a sentence from one another.
The comma is the most commonly used punctuation mark and also the most commonly misused.
When you do not insert punctuation and a coordinating conjunction between two complete thoughts, you create an error called a run-on sentence (sometimes called a fused sentence). 4

5. Chapter 5: How to Recognize Run-On Sentences
Read each sentence aloud and place a slash mark when you hear a pause. The pause indicates the need for punctuation. 5

6. Chapter 5: How to Recognize Run-On Sentences
Look for sentences that contain two complete thoughts (independent clauses) without punctuation to separate them. 6

7. Chapter 5: How to Recognize Run-On Sentences
Look for long sentences. 7

8. Chapter 5: How to Correct Run-On Sentences
Create two separate sentences. 8

9. Chapter 5: How to Correct Run-On Sentences
Use a semicolon. 9

10. Chapter 5: How to Correct Run-On Sentences
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. 10

11. Chapter 5: How to Correct Run-On Sentences
There are seven coordinating conjunctions.
Choose the one that shows the right relationship between the two complete thoughts in a sentence. 11

12. Chapter 5: How to Correct Run-On Sentences
The following examples show how to use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to correct a run-on sentence. 12