PARALELLISM
1. complete sentence conjunction (FANBOYS) inc (SEE #2)
EX: Eddie swam at the river every day this summer and ate at the Dairy Queen after every trip.
COMMAS
2. complete sentence , conjunction (FANBOYS) complete sentence
EX: Robert wears the same pair of socks to P.E. everyday, but he does not seem to mind the foul stench.
3. inc , complete sentence EX: Yesterday, I died.
4. complete sentence
SEMICOLONS
, inc EX: I died yesterday, which was unfortunate.
5. complete sentence ; complete sentence
EX: The drive to the beach had been long and hot; the return home had not been any better.
COLONS
6. complete sentence : list , *quotation , word , *inc , *complete sentence (SEE #10)
EX: The old man complained of many flu symptoms, such as: fever, aching muscles, runny nose, and coughing.
7. complete sentence : list ; *quotation ; word ; *inc ; *complete sentence (SEE #10)
EX: The following people comprised the Fellowship of the Ring: Frodo, a Hobbit with the ability to resist the temptations of the
Ring; Aragorn, a warrior who is avoiding his responsibility of being the King; Legolas , an elf who is an excellent archer; and
Gandalf, a sagacious wizard and the spiritual leader of the group
CONJUCNTION (FANBOYS) EXCEPTIONS
8. complete sentence ; however ,
9. complete sentence because
PUNCTUATING AND CITING QUOTES complete sentence (SEE #2) complete sentence (SEE #2)
10.
EX: Mr. Loman said , “ The end is near ” (Miller 4) .
EX: When Jaime casually said , “I like to torture puppies ,” everyone was shocked (Poe 34) . inc = incomplete sentence FANBOYS = For And Nor But Or Yet
So
↓ ↓
Because However

1. Complete Sentence = Independent Clause
EX: The volume faded.
↑ ↑
Noun / subject Verb / Predicate
↓ ↓
EX: The teenager heard static.
2. Incomplete Sentence = Dependant Clause = Phrase = Fragment
EX: which smells like rotten eggs.
↑
Verb/ Predicate (There is no Noun/ subject performing the action.)
EX: with a team of soldiers, scientists, and volunteers.
(There is neither a Noun/ subject performing the action nor a Verb.)
3. A Conjunction and a comma connect two complete sentences together
F or = because
A nd
N or
B ut = however
O r
Y et
S o

Complete sentence + comma + conjunction + Complete sentence
EX: Robert wears the same pair of socks to P.E. everyday , but he does not seem to mind the foul stench.
EX: The volume faded , and the teenager heard static.

Complete sentence + conjunction + Incomplete Sentence [Parallelism]
EX: Eddie swam at the river every day this summer and ate at the Dairy Queen after every trip.

4. Commas ,

Commas are used to divide a complete sentence from an incomplete sentence.
EX: Before I came to college, I worked at WalMart.
EX: Because Robert wears the same pair of socks to P.E. everyday, everybody suffers.

Commas (with a conjunction) are used to divide two complete sentences.
EX: You will bring me your book report , and I will give you feedback tomorrow.

Commas are used to divide verbs or things when making a list.
EX: Justin asked for markers, erasers, and flip charts.
EX: Tyler will start the car, put it in reverse, back-out of the garage, shift into first gear, press on the accelerator, and drive away.
5. Semi-colons ;

A semi-colon is like a period. It is used when you have two complete sentences that mean basically the same thing.
EX: Things had gone too far for Michael; he decided to do something fast.
EX: The drive to the beach had been long and hot; the return home had not been any better.

A semi-colon is a super-comma ; it is a divider more powerful than a comma.
EX: Last year was our worst year; next year will be better.

Use a semi-colon to avoid confusion when making a list or when a sentence has internal commas
EX: I cannot attend the staff meeting this morning; but I will send Mrs.
Mohn, my obedient wife, who will tell me what happened.
EX: The following people comprised the Fellowship of the Ring: Frodo, a
Hobbit with the ability to resist the temptations of the Ring; Aragorn, a warrior who is avoiding his responsibility of being the King; Legolas, an elf who is an excellent archer; and Gandalf, a sagacious wizard and the spiritual leader of the group

6. Colons :

A colon introduces a list, a word, phrase, quotation or a complete sentence. A complete sentence must precede the colon.
EX: I need you to get the following things at the store : milk, butter, bacon, eggs, bread, cereal, and coffee.
EX: When you’re climbing up a ladder and you feel something splatter: diarrhea.
EX: In the end, there is only one thing that truly matters: The love of family.
EX:
“Get ‘er done!”
EX:
Before Larry the Cable Guy left the stage, he had one final comment
When faced with a defining moment, you have one of two choices:
You can define the moment or let the moment define you.
:
EX: This is the point I’m trying to make: You need to learn how to use punctuation correctly.
7. Dash --

Dashes are used to show a sudden break or interruption in a sentence.
EX: There is one thing—actually several things—that I find hard to believe.

Dashes are used to emphasize a word or series of words.
EX: High tech job—ones that require both technical education and on-the- job-training—are extremely popular right now.
EX: I think that one of these career choices—computer science, computer programming, or systems analyst—is my ticket to employment in the future.
8. Parenthesis ( )

Parenthesis are used around words that are included in a sentence to add information to help make an idea clearer.
EX: Cures for diseases (from arthritis to AIDS) may be found in plants in the rain forest. Fewer than 10 percent of the plant species in the world have been studied (a total of over 250,000 species.

9. Apostrophes ’

Use apostrophes to show that one or more letters have been left out of a word.
EX: don’t = do not; can’t = cannot; I’m = I am; I’ll = I will

Use apostrophes to show that a SINGULAR subject/ noun possesses or owns something.
EX: Dr. Smith’s theory is that the world’s population will double in 20 years.
EX:
Texas’s oil is better than Alaska’s oil.
EX: Texas’ oil is better than Alaska’s oil.
EX:
My boss’s office is very organized.

Use apostrophes to show that a PLURAL subject/ noun possesses or owns something.
EX: The victims’ cars were destroyed in the accident.
(they have different cars)
EX:
The Joneses’ map helped them find the Holy Grail.
EX: My bosses’ office is very organized.
(two share the same office)
10. Subject / Verb Agreement

The subject is either a noun or a pronoun. The verb must be in agreement with the subject.
PRESENT SINGULAR (1)
Pronoun
I
You
Verb am; see are; see
He; She; It;
Everyone is; sees
PRESENT PLURAL (2 or more)
Pronoun
We
You All
They
Verb are; see are; see are; see

PAST SINGULAR (1) PAST PLURAL (2 or more)
Pronoun Verb Pronoun Verb
I was; saw We were; saw
You
He; She; It;
Everyone
Pronoun
I
You
He; She; It;
Everyone were; saw was; saw
FUTURE SINGULAR (1)
Verb will be; will see will be; will see will be; will see
You All
They were; saw were; saw
FUTURE PLURAL (2 or more)
Pronoun
We
You All
They
Verb will be; will see will be; will see will be; will see
11. Parallelism (or Parallel Structure)

The list of verbs in the sentence must be in the same tense and match the subject/ noun in agreement.
EX: The doctor took her temperature, checked her heartbeat, and tested her reflexes. (Past Tense)
EX: Eddie swam at the river every day this summer and ate at the Dairy
Queen after every trip. (Past Tense)
EX: Tyler will start the car, put it in reverse, back-out of the garage, shift into first gear, press on the accelerator, and drive away. (Future Tense)
EX: Tyler starts the car, puts it in reverse, backs-out of the garage, shifts into first gear, presses on the accelerator, and drives away. (Present Tense)

12. ACTIVE VOICE vs. Passive Voice

A verb is in ACTIVE VOICE if the subject (noun or pronoun) is DOING the action in a sentence. WRITE using ACTIVE VOICE.
EX: Mayra cannot concentrate in class. noun verb
EX: She dreams of going to galaxies light-years from Earth.
pronoun verb
EX: Mayra giggles out-loud when she thinks of something funny. noun verb pronoun verb

A verb is in Passive Voice if the subject (noun or pronoun) is RECEIVING the action instead of personally doing the action. HINT: The word “by” is almost always in a sentence using the Passive Voice
EX: Usually, her daydreams are shattered by reality.
pronoun verb
Active Voice: Usually, reality shatters her daydreams.
EX: San Francisco was shaken by an earthquake. noun verb
Active Voice: An Earthquake shook San Francisco.
EX: Yesterday, we were invited by our neighbors to attend their party. pronoun verb
Active Voice: Yesterday, our neighbors invited us to attend their party.
EX: Alex was attacked yesterday. (Q: Who did the attacking?)
↑ ↑
Noun verb
Active Voice: Maggie attacked Alex yesterday.

13. Transition Words or Phrases

Transitions are used to connect or tie ideas in a sentence or paragraph together
Add information and
Clarify additionally, again, along with, also, and, and then, another, as well as, besides, equally important, finally, first, for example, for instance, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, last, moreover, next, other, second, still, too
Compare two things also, as, in the same way, like, likewise, similarly, while
Contrast two things although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, even so, even though, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, regardless, still, though, yet, whereas
Concession granted, naturally, of course
Emphasize a point again, certainly, especially, for this reason, indeed, in fact, of course, to emphasize, to repeat, to reiterate, truly, undoubtedly
Example or
Illustration after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words, in short, it is true, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly
Summary all in all, altogether, as has been said, basically, essentially, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in essence, in other words, in particular, in short, in simpler terms, in summary, lastly, on the whole, over all, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize
Time sequence after a while, afterward, again, also, and then, as long as, as soon as, at last, at length, at that time, before, besides, during, earlier, eventually, finally, first, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, in the past, last, lately, meanwhile, moreover, next, now, presently, second, secondly, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, subsequently, then, thereafter, today, tomorrow, too, until, until now, when, yesterday

For the beginning quotes…
TRANSITIONS TO CLARIFY for example for instance in other words put another way seems clear from this simply stated stated differently to clarify to illustrate the point
For secondary quotes…
TRANSITIONS TO COMPARE ITEMS that is accordingly also as comparable to in the same way like in the same manner likewise in conjunction with this similarly just as sometimes again
TRANSITIONS TO EMPHASIZE A POINT for this reason indeed most compelling evidence another key point frequently in fact most important information first thing to remember important to realize key point must be remembered on the negative side significant that to emphasize truly on the positive side surprising to point out with this in mind point often overlooked surprisingly enough to repeat

although even so still nevertheless
TRANSITIONS TO CONTRAST ITEMS as opposed to but conversely even though however in spite of this on the contrary whereas on the other hand yet otherwise counter to in the meantime sometimes additionally another
TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION again as well along with also besides equally important for example for instance further furthermore and finally in addition likewise moreover next together with
For circle sentences and conclusions…
TRANSITIONS TO CONCLUDE OR SUMMARIZE accordingly due to all in all finally as a result in closing consequently in conclusion in short in summary in the last analysis logical conclusion is therefore
Yet some more… thus
TRANSITIONS TO ENUMERATE lastly hence
These transitions are to be used as sets; more transitions can be added to each set as needed.
 first
 second
 third one important equally important most important a significant another significant of greatest significance
first
next
last in the
beginning toward the
middle
at the end
one
also in
addition