DANIEL PRESTON
JULY 13, 2010
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Strengths:
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Identifying and repairing fragments
Identifying and Fixing Run-Ons
Repairing Incorrect Comma usage
Things to work on:
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Irregular verb usage
The Semi-colon (;)
Subject – Verb agreement
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Strengths:



Identifying and repairing fragments
Repairing Incorrect Comma usage
Things to work on:



Irregular verb usage
The Semi-colon (;)
Subject – Verb agreement
Fragments & Run-On Sentences
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What are the necessary parts of a complete
sentence?
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Subject & Verb
At least one independent clause
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
An independent clause has a subject and a
verb and can stand alone.
A dependent clause often begins with
transitional words or phrases such as because or
when and is supported by the remainder of the
sentence around it.
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Ask yourself:

Is there a verb? If there is, then
 Is there a subject? If yes, then
 Is the word group an independent clause? (not beginning
with words like because or when?)
 IT IS A SENTENCE.

If a word group fails any of these tests, it is a
fragment.

Commands are sentences that imply the subject
you, and provide an action to be done. Verbs
are usually in the present tense. These are
considered complete sentences.
 Run to the store.
 Do as I ask.

Once you have identified a word grouping as a
fragment, try one of these solutions:
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
Rewrite the fragment as a complete sentence.
Connect the fragment to a nearby sentence.
 If lists are involved, you can often connect with a colon
or a dash.

If you were to summarize your experiences
here so far in a 30 sec spot. What details would
you include?

Listening to the CD her sister had sent, Mia
was overcome with a mix of emotions.
Happiness, homesickness, nostalgia.
 Listening to the CD her sister had sent, Mia was
overcome with a mix of emotions: happiness,
homesickness, nostalgia.

Cortes and his soldiers were astonished when
they looked down from the mountains and saw
Tenochtilan. The magnificent capital of the
Aztecs.
 Cortes and his soldiers were astonished when they
looked down from the mountains and saw Tenochtilan,
the magnificent capital of the Aztecs.

Although my spoken Spanish is not very good,
I can read the language with ease.
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To learn to sculpt beauty from everyday life.
This is my intention in studying art and
archeology.

There are several reasons for not eating meat.
One reason being that dangerous chemicals are
used throughout the various stages of meat
production.
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
An independent clause has a subject and a
verb and can stand alone.
A dependent clause often begins with
transitional words or phrases such as because or
when and is supported by the remainder of the
sentence around it.
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FUSED SENTENCES
 Two or more independent clauses with no punctuation
or coordinating conjunction between them.

COMMA SPLICES
 Two or more independent clauses separated by a
comma with no coordinating conjunction between
them.
 Two or more independent clauses separated by a
comma but is joined by a word that is not a
coordinating conjunction

There are only seven coordinating conjunctions
in English. They are:
And
 But
 Or
 Nor
 For
 So
 Yet


There are only seven coordinating conjunctions
in English. They are:
And
 But
 Or
 Nor
 For
 So
 Yet


Does the sentence contain two independent clauses?

If so, ask yourself:
 Are the clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating
conjunction? (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)
 Are the clauses joined with a semicolon? (;)
 IT IS NOT A RUN –ON SENTENCE.

If a word group fails any of these tests, it is a run-on,
and should be revised.

Once you have identified a word grouping as a
run-on, try one of these solutions:



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Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Use a semicolon (;) either by itself or with a
transitional expression (however, therefore).
Separate the clauses into their own sentences.
Restructure the sentence usually by making one of
the clauses subordinate (dependent).


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A semicolon is used to join two closely related
independent clauses whose relationship can be
understood without a coordinating
conjunction.
A semicolon can be used alone or accompanied
by a transitional expression (however, therefore,
moreover, in fact, for example)
If a transitional expression is used to link
independent clauses, a semicolon is required.

The paramedic asked where I was hurt, as soon
as I told him, he cut up the leg of my favorite
pair of jeans.

The paramedic asked where I was hurt, and as soon
as I told him, he cut up the leg of my favorite pair of
jeans.

Tragedy depicts the individual confronted with
the fact of death, comedy depicts the
adaptability of human society.

Tragedy depicts the individual confronted with the
fact of death; comedy depicts the adaptability of
human society.
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Handheld PDAs are gaining in popularity,
however, they are not nearly as popular as cell
phones.

Handheld PDAs are gaining in popularity; however,
they are not nearly as popular as cell phones.

Why should we spend money on expensive
space exploration, we have enough unfunded
programs here on Earth.

Why should we spend money on expensive space
exploration? We have enough unfunded programs
here on Earth.

One of the most famous advertising slogans is
Wheaties cereal’s “Breakfast of Champions,” it
was penned in 1933.

One of the most famous advertising slogans is
Wheaties cereal’s “Breakfast of Champions,” which
was penned in 1933.