McCafferty Posttest Study Guide-Key
Terms to Know/Define:
1.
Poetry writing with style and rhythm that pays special attention to feelings
and ideas
2.
Prose-written language in its regular form
3.
Repetition- repeating a sound, word, phrase, sentence, or idea/used
particularly frequently in poetry
4.
Allusion-to make an indirect reference to the Bible, mythology, or another
work of literature
5.
Contrasts- telling how 2 or more things are different
6.
Excerpt-a part/extract of a piece of writing or a film
7.
Narrator-person telling a story
8.
Author’s purpose-entertain, inform (expository), persuade, describe-
9.
Compound sentence-a compound sentence contains 2 independent clauses
(sentences) that must be joined with a comma and coordinating conjunction or a
semicolon
10.
Misplaced modifier-Recognize a misplaced modifier when you see
one.
Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that add description to sentences.
Typically, you will find a modifier snuggled right next to—either in front of or
behind—the word it logically describes. Take the simple, one-word adjective blue.
If we add it to the sentence that follows, where should it go?
At a downtown dealership, Kara bought a truck from a salesman with a comb over.
Should we locate blue next to dealership? A blue downtown dealership? A blue
Kara? A blue salesman? Of course not! Logic dictates that blue can describe only
one word, truck, so we must place the modifier next to that word:
At a downtown dealership, Kara bought a blue truck from a salesman with a comb
over.
In a similar manner, multi-word phrases and clauses often go right next to the
word they describe. Here are some examples:
Gazing out the window, Paul missed the homework assignment that Prof. Zuromski
wrote on the board.
Gazing out the window is a participle phrase describing Paul, the noun that
follows.
Sam gobbled the sandwich, which was soggy with tomato juice, as he rushed to
class.
Which was soggy with tomato juice is an adjective clause describing sandwich,
the noun before it.
As the hurricane approached, we watched the tree branches waving in the strong
breeze.
Waving in the strong breeze is a participle phrase describing branches, the noun
in front.
Sometimes a writer places the modifier too far away from the word it should
describe. Born in the confusion is a misplaced modifier, an error. Read these
examples:
Churning in the Atlantic Ocean, we anxiously watched the weather report for
information about the hurricane.
Churning in the Atlantic Ocean is a participle phrase. In the current sentence, it
is describing the pronoun we. How illogical! We cannot churn in an ocean!
Raymond wore his one collared shirt to the job interview, which was unfortunately
stained with yellow mustard.
Which was unfortunately stained with yellow mustard is an adjective clause. In
the sentence above, it is describing interview, the noun in front. But an interview
can't get stained with mustard!
Professor Jones, who was late with another essay, waited for the slacker student.
Who was late with another essay is an adjective clause. In this sentence, it is
describing Professor Jones, the noun before it. But he's not the identified
slacker! The student is!
Know how to fix a misplaced modifier.
To fix the error, locate the modifier next to the appropriate word:
We anxiously watched the weather report for information about the hurricane
churning in the Atlantic Ocean.
Raymond wore his one collared shirt, which was unfortunately stained with yellow
mustard, to the job interview.
Professor Jones waited for the slacker student who was late with another essay.
11.
Dangling modifier-A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause which says something different from what is meant because words are
left out. The meaning of the sentence, therefore, is left "dangling."
Incorrect: While driving on Greenwood Avenue yesterday afternoon, a tree
began to fall toward Wendy H's car.
(It sounds like the tree was driving! This actually appeared in a newspaper
article. An alert reader wrote, "Is the Department of Motor Vehicles
branching out and issuing licenses to hardwoods? Have they taken leaf of
their senses?")
12. Simple sentence- Ex. The company plans to market the product overseas. A
simple sentence is one independent clause/also known as a complete sentence/it
must have a subject and verb
13. Complex sentence -Ex. The teacher returned the homework after she noticed
the error. A complex sentence is made up of 1 independent clause and 1 dependent
clause. Both clauses will have a subject and a verb, but a dependent clause cannot
stand alone while an independent one can.
14. Compound sentence- Ex. Alex played football, so Maria went shopping. A
compound sentence is composed of 2 independent clauses(sentences) but must also
have a semicolon or comma and coordinating conjunction to join them together. You
will never use a semicolon and conjunction or just a comma or just a conjunction.
15. Compound Complex Sentence- Ex. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had
the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with. A compound complex
sentence is made up of a compound sentence and 1 or more dependent clauses.
16. Topic sentence-main idea sentence/usually comes first in a paragraph
17. Concluding (clincher) sentence-last sentence in a paragraph or essay
18. problem and solution-where a problem is identified, analyzed, and possible
solutions are given
19.Unifying idea-a unifying idea brings all the parts of a paragraph or essay
together
20. Informal vs. formal tone-Informal writing includes texts, some emails, and
notes to friends; they might include slang, simple sentences, and/or contractions.
Formal writing would include speeches, articles, and essays; complex sentences and
a 3rd person objective narrator would be present.
21.Relevant vs. irrelevant-Relevant facts pertains to information that is important
and makes sense/irrelevant information is not needed or may not pertain to the
topic or subject
22. Prefixes and suffixes
23. Spelling
FANBOYS is the acronym for conjunctions used in compound sentences (These are
coordinating conjunctions). They will be used with a comma to join 2 independent
clauses together.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Complex Sentences use subordinating conjunctions such as because, since, after,
although, or when(there are also many others) or a relative pronoun such as that,
who, or which
Tell whether the following sentences are simple, compound, complex, or
compound-complex.
24. Vampires Dairies is my favorite television show, but I also love True Blood.
Compound
25. The student wiped the white board that was filthy with last week’s notes.
Complex
26. The trendy fashion designer released her new line on Wednesday. Simple
27. Trina and Hareem went to a bar in Hollywood to celebrate their anniversary.
Simple
28. Wicked Regina cast a spell on the entire city, so the citizens decided to rebel.
compound
29. While waiting for the paint to dry, Angela went to Home Depot, and Martin
organized the kitchen appliances. Compound complex
30. After listening to the Kanye West CD, I have new respect for his music.
Complex
31. After the teacher chose groups, John and Sara were selected as partners for
a project, yet, Sarah did most of the work. Compound complex