English 104/Spring 2013
Assignment Sheet #1
Note: I will collect homework assignments on the day for which they are listed. Any work that has
an answer key (such as diagrams and sentence-combining exercises) will not be collected. Work
that has no answer key (composed and expanded sentences) will be collected. This assignment sheet
is subject to change. If you miss class, contact me or a fellow student to find out if anything has
changed. Homework may be handwritten (legibly and neatly), or typed. Label your sentences clearly
so I can easily tell what to look for in each sentence. A sample homework assignment is attached at
the end of this sheet so that you can see what I mean by clear labeling.
Due Tuesday 4/2: Please purchase the required textbook, Writers’ Choices: Grammar for Effective
Writing, from the bookstore immediately. Read pp. 1-19. Be prepared to define “syntax” and
“predication.” What kind of verb is essential to every predicate? Diagram the subject and verb of
the following sentences, using this simple subject-verb line:
Example: The stadium collapsed instantly in a cloud of dust.
stadium collapsed
“collapsed.”)
(Vertical line should bisect horizontal line between “stadium” and
Example: People in the crowd cheered. (The subject is people, not crowd. Remember: the
subject can’t be in a prepositional phrase.)
people cheered
(Vertical line should bisect horizontal line between
“people” and “cheered.”)
There is an answer key for the first ten diagrams at the end of this handout.
1. The snails in the lettuce patch ate all the young lettuce.
2. Has anyone noticed that dragon?
3. Inhabitants of Seattle must appreciate sunshine.
4. The books have already been shipped from Amazon.
5. Did one of you drop this priceless Greek vase on the floor?
6. There must be a way to eliminate hunger.
7. The warm days of summer will soon be here.
8. By the white chickens stood a red rain-glazed wheelbarrow.
9. Always read the instructions of the assignment.
10. In the final round, our team played beautifully.
11. Down bounced the ball amid cheers from the audience.
12. Did you see the solar eclipse of May 20, 2012?
13. Describe it to me.
14. My friend and I watched it from a hill outside of town.
15. The moon passed before the sun and blocked its light.
16. A black circle moved, and a gold ring glowed around it.
17. Our neighbor, a millionaire, had a telescope.
18. There was not a lot to see, but there were some blurry shapes.
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Due Wednesday 4/3: In Writers’ Choices, diagram # 1-20 on pp. 21-22, using the simple subjectverb form shown in the example. As you do each diagram, check it against the answer key in the
back of your book. This is critical to your learning. Compose six sentences – two with a regular
subject and verb, two with implied subjects, and two using the “there” expletive; try to use a
different verb for each one. Remember to label each kind of sentence in your homework.
Due Thursday 4/4: In Writer’s Choices, read pp. 19-21. Do the sentence-combining exercises #1-20
on pp. 22-24. Expand each of the following sentences into compound sentences by adding another
independent clause to each one (read all three before you start):
1. The clown did not like to laugh in the morning.
2. The clown and the juggler had a big argument about this.
3. At first, it seemed they could no longer work together.
Compose the following:
1. two sentences with compound subjects; in one of the sentences, the subjects should be
personal pronouns (refer to Appendix A in Writers’ Choices);
2. two sentences with compound verbs;
3. two compound sentences joined by coordinating conjunctions (see Writers’ Choices, chart on p.
13);
4. two compound sentences joined by coordinating correlative conjunctions (see Writers’ Choices,
chart on p. 13—make sure you are joining independent clauses with these conjunctions);
5. two compound sentences joined by only semicolons;
6. two compound sentences joined by semicolons followed by conjunctive adverbs followed by
commas
On this and all homework assignments, be sure to label your work clearly so I know what is
supposed to be what. For example, your first two sentences would be clearly marked “compound
subject,” and the subject in each case would be underlined.
Due Friday, 4/5: In Writers’ Choices, read pp. 26-33. Compose the following:
1. Two sentences with an adjective modifying a noun
2. Two sentences with a noun functioning as an adjective
3. Two sentences with an adverb modifying a verb
4. Two sentences with a qualifier modifying an adjective or adverb
Due Monday, 4/8: In Writers’ Choices, read pp. 34-47. On p. 47, diagram #1-10—full diagrams,
every word! Remember to check yourself against the answer key after you do each diagram. Expand
the following sentences as instructed:
1. (Add two one-word adjectives to each sentence): The robots scuttled around the room.
Scientists watched their computers anxiously.
2. (Add one one-word adverb to each sentence): One robot crashed into a table. One jammed
into a corner and couldn’t turn around.
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3. (Add an adjectival prepositional phrase to each sentence): Reporters informed the public.
One reporter wore amazing pants.
4. (Add an adverbial prepositional phrase to each sentence): The robot managed to free itself.
To the scientists’ relief, the robot returned safely.
Focusing on pp. 45-47, pay special attention to what is said about the modifier “only” and about
using prepositional phrases to avoid the awkwardness of two “ly” adverbs next to each other.
Expand the following sentence by adding “only” in the best place: “Felicita, a beginning chef, could
break one egg at a time.” Combine the following sentences into one sentence that uses two “ly”
adverbs in a row; then combine them again, this time into a sentence that uses a prepositional
phrase rather than two “ly” adverbs in a row:
The athlete threw the ball.
The throwing was graceful.
The grace was remarkable.
Due Tuesday, 4/9: Read Writers’ Choices (pp. 51-56) on Appositives. Diagram #1-5 on pp. 60-61 and
do sentence combining #1-5 on p. 61. Expand the following sentences by adding an appositive to
each one.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cinderella has trouble leaving the ball on time.
Cinderella’s fairy godmother is getting impatient with Cinderella’s lingering.
To get Cinderella to leave on time, the fairy godmother has come up with a brilliant plan.
The fairy godmother has invented a magic coach that turns into a pumpkin at midnight. (In
this one, try making “a magic coach that turns into a pumpkin at midnight” the appositive;
you would then supply a preceding noun. What might be a good name for such a vehicle?)
5. The prince would be surprised to see Cinderella ride away in a pumpkin coach.
Finally, compose three sentences, each with at least one appositive. Vary the placement of your
appositives.
Due Wednesday, 4/10: Read Writers’ Choices (pp. 56-60) on Appositive Adjectives. Diagram #1-5
on p. 62 and do sentence combining #1-5 on pp. 63-64.
Expand the following sentences by adding appositive adjectives to each of them (remember that
appositive adjectives usually come in pairs – “handsome and intelligent” – or modified by a
prepositional phrase – “handsome in his tuxedo” – and that they sometimes come before the noun,
sometimes after it):
1.
2.
3.
4.
The suitor completely deceived the woman.
His words completely convinced her.
My boss is hated by everybody.
The lemonade made Brendan feel better.
(Wed 4/10 continued on next page)
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Finally, compose three sentences, each with at least one pair of appositive adjectives (or an
appositive adjective modified by a prepositional phrase).
Due Thursday 4/11: In Writers’ Choices, read Ch. 4 on Verbs—the whole chapter. You’ll probably
find it a bit boring, but it’s an important review. You will not have to memorize the names of the
tenses/aspects; on the test I won’t ask you to write a sentence in the “future progressive.” But you
should work with them a bit. Do Exercise A # 1-20 on p. 74 (there is an answer key), and Exercise B
“On Your Own” #1 and #2. For each number, compose two sentences (not five) for each
tense/aspect and for the subjunctive. Be sure to label your sentences!
Due Friday, 4/12: Do the sample test on p. 76-77 in Writers’ Choices. We will go over the answers
together in class.
Monday, 4/15: TEST #1 (You may use one side of one handwritten 8 ½ x 11 page of notes.)
Answer Key for Sentences # 1-10 Above
1. snails ate
2. anyone
has noticed
3. Inhabitants
4. books
5. one
must appreciate
have been shipped
did drop
6. There
way
must be
7. days will be
8. wheelbarrow
9. (you)
stood
read
10. daughter
played
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Here’s a sample partial homework assignment, illustrating the correct format. Each sentence is
labeled according to what the assignment asks for, and the relevant words are underlined. This
labeling and underlining not only shows me what to look for but also shows me (and yourself)
whether you understand. Your homework can be typed or legibly handwritten.
Homework for ____provide date_____
Student Name______________
1. Compound subjects
My grandmother and grandfather were lovely people
With personal pronouns: They and I got along beautifully.
2. Compound verbs
My grandparents came from the country and moved to the city.
They worked and struggled all their lives.
3. Compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions
The dog arrived, so the cat left.
The dog arrived, and pandemonium ensued.
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