Comma splices and weird sentences!

Comma splices and weird sentences! LI.11.933.01.03 Identify comma splices and fused sentences in writing and revise to eliminate them. LI.11.933.02.03 Distinguish between phrases and clauses and use this knowledge to write varied, strong, correct, complete sentences. LI.11.933.03.03 Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation.

Complete Sentences A complete sentence tells a complete thought and has both a subject (noun) and a predicate (the action/verb). • My class sold many boxes of candy. • Which is the subject? What is the predicate?

COMMA SPLICES • DEFINITION: A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. • HOW CAN I FIX IT? You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period (or some other end punctuation, like a ? or a !) and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, or you can use a semicolon if the clauses seem to relate to each other, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it. • EXAMPLE of a COMMA SPLICE: I like this class, it is very interesting.

FIXING THE COMMA SPLICE CORRECTIONS: I like this class. It is very interesting. I like this class; it is very interesting. I like this class, and it is very interesting. I like this class because it is very interesting. Because it is very interesting, I like this class.

CLAUSES • Independent Clause • Dependent Clause

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE • DEFINITION: An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. • EXAMPLE:Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

DEPENDENT CLAUSE • DEFINITION: A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word. • EXAMPLE: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete, even though there is a subject AND a verb.)

DEPENDENT MARKER WORD • DEFINITION: A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause. • EXAMPLE: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy. • COMMON MARKERS: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

FANBOYS Another way to fix a comma splice or funky clauses is to use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). BAD: A tornado can be called a twister, it is also called a cyclone. GOOD: A tornado can be called a twister, but it is also called a cyclone.

;;;;;;;; SEMICOLONS! ;;;;;;;;;; When sentences are related to each other, add a semicolon. BAD: A tornado can be called a twister it is also called a cyclone. GOOD: A tornado can be called a twister; it is also called a cyclone.

PRACTICE – and GET your TARGETS! First, show me you know what BAD, ugly, boring sentences look like : • Write 15 sentences: 5 sentences that use a comma splice, 5 more which are NOT real sentences because they are “dependent clauses,” and 5 lame, basic independent clauses. REVIEW YOUR NOTES. • Next, “correct” your sentences by using semicolons, “FANBOYS,” and dependent marker words to make them correct and interesting! LABEL EACH CORRECTED SENTENCE. • Finally, to get even MORE targets, see the next slide!

BONUS TARGETS

CAN YOU ADD THESE to get MORE? LI.11.933.03.03 Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation. • (LIST) I love the following items for breakfast: Wheaties, milk, bananas, and juice. • (QUOTATIONS) When introducing a quotation of more than 6 words, use a colon. For quotations comprising six or fewer words, use a comma. A comma, however, is always okay…it’s a weird rule. Example:Ms. Dahl repeatedly insisted: “I didn’t really KISS the trout. I was just trying to show off a little."

WORK HARD AND GET THESE, TOO! LI.11.933.04.03 Spell correctly. (EVERYTHING IS CORRECT!!!) LI.11.933.06.03 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

Comma splices and weird sentences!