Writing
Workshop
Run-On Sentences
Independent vs. Dependent
 Independent-
a group of words with a
subject and a verb that expresses a
complete thought
 Dependent- a group of words with a
subject and a verb but does not express a
complete thought.
Run-Ons
 Two
sentences that are joined incorrectly
and written as one sentence
 Two types of run-ons

Fused sentences- two complete sentences joined
without any punctuation


Example: Anger is a dangerous emotion it has many
bad effects
Comma splices- two complete sentences joined by
only a comma instead of a comma and one of the
following words: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet

Example: Anger is a dangerous emotion, it has many
bad effects.
4 Ways to Correct A Run-On
 Add
a period
 Add a semicolon
 Add a comma and a coordinating
conjunction
 FANBOYS-
 Add
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
a dependent word
 Since,
because, as before, after,
although, every time, until, when, etc
Adding A Semi-Colon to
Correct Run-Ons
 Join
the two independent clauses into
one sentence by adding a semicolon
 Only use a semicolon when the two
independent clauses express closely
related ideas that make sense in a single
combine sentence.
Add A Comma &
Coordinating Conjunction
 FANBOYS-
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
 Note: the comma goes before, not
after, the coordinating conjunctions.
 Note: coordinating conjunctions need
to connect two independent clauses.
They are not used to join a dependent
to an independent clause.
Add A Dependent Word
 Dependent
words are either a
subordinating conjunction or relative
pronoun.
 Use when the clause the dependent
word begins is less important than or
explains the other clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions
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After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As much as
As soon as
As though
Because
Before
Even if
Even though
If
In as much
In order that
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Lest
Now that
Provided that
Since
So that
Than that
Though
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
While
Relative Pronouns
 Who
 Whoever
 Whom
 Whomever
 Whose
 That
 Which
 Please
note that
the following can
function as a
relative pronoun in
certain situations



What
When
Where
A Word That Can Cause RunOns: Then
 Then
is often used to join two sentences,
but you must make sure that you use the
proper punctuation and/or joining word.
Sample Run-On #1
 My
strongest character trait would
probably be my people skills, I can talk to
almost anyone and have a conversation
going really quickly, while my weakest is
talking to girs I would like to get to know
better or if I am trying to get them to like
me.
Corrected Sample Run-On #1
with a period
 My
strongest character trait would
probably be my people skills. I can talk to
almost anyone and have a conversation
going really quickly while my weakest is
talking to girls that I would like to get to
know better or if I am trying to get them to
like me.
Corrected Sample Run-On #1
with a semi-colon
 My
strongest character trait would
probably be my people skills; I can talk to
almost anyone and have a conversation
going really quickly while my weakest is
talking to girls that I would like to get to
know better or if I am trying to get them to
like me.
Corrected Sample Run-On #1 with
a comma & coordinating
conjunction
 My
strongest character trait would
probably be my people skills, and I can
talk to almost anyone and have a
conversation going really quickly while my
weakest is talking to girls that I would like
to get to know better or if I am trying to
get them to like me.
Corrected Sample Run-On #1
with a dependent word
 My
strongest character trait would
probably be my people skills since I
can talk to almost anyone and have a
conversation going really quickly while my
weakest is talking to girls that I would like
to get to know better or if I am trying to
get them to like me.
Sample Run-On #2
I
think that my character is different
from everybody else because she is a
very nice person and she doesn’t
really like to argue much but she has
always gotten her way very much she
doesn’t really think that materialistic
people are good and I think that
others like her very much because
people look up to her as being rich
spoiled girl and always getting her
way.
Editing your own essay
 Find
and correct run-ons in your own
essay
Highlight in purple or blue all
coordinating conjunctions aka fanboys
 For

 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So


Only put a comma
before fanboys if
1) it separates two
independent clauses
2) if it is being used
as the oxford
comma (the comma
before the and in a
list/series)
Highlight in pink or orange all
subordinating conjunctions and relative
pronouns
 See
next two slides
to see those lists
again.
 Subordinating
conjunctions and
relative pronouns
create dependent
clauses.

If the dependent
clause comes before
the independent
clause, use a comma
after the dependent
clause

Do not use a comma if
the independent
clause comes before
the dependent clause.

See what I just did
there 
Subordinating Conjunctions
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After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As much as
As soon as
As though
Because
Before
Even if
Even though
If
In as much
In order that
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Lest
Now that
Provided that
Since
So that
Than that
Though
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
While
Relative Pronouns
 Who
 Whoever
 Whom
 Whomever
 Whose
 That
 Which
 Please
note that
the following can
function as a
relative pronoun in
certain situations



What
When
Where