fragments
a word group that lacks a subject or a verb and does not express a complete thought
how to correct fragments
- attach the fragment to the sentence before or after
- eliminate the dependent word and rewrite sentence
- add a subject or verb to the fragment to make a complete sentence
run-ons
are two complete thoughts that are together with break in between
how to fix run-ons
- use a period and capital letter to separate the to complete thoughts
- use a comma and an adjoining word to connect the two thoughts
- use a semicolon to connect the two complete thoughts
- use a subordination (because)
six main uses of the comma
- between an item in a series
- after introductory material
- between two complete thoughts connect by “and, but, for, nor, so, yet
- for certain everyday material
- around direct quotation to set it off from the rest of the sentence
- on both sides of words rat interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence
comma:
a pause in a sentence
capitalization:
- the first word in a sentence or direct quote
- names of people and the word I
- names of places
- names of days, weeks, or holidays
- names of products
- titles of things
- names of things
pronoun-antecedent agreement rules
- a singular pronoun must replace a singular noun, plural pronoun plural noun
-
subject verb argreement
if subject is plural verb must be plural as well, if subject singular verb must be singular
hyphen uses:
- when two or more words act as a single word
- to divide a word at the end of a line of writing
dash
a dash signals a degree of a longer pause than a comma but not as complete as the period. is used to add a dramatic effect
semi colon use:
- join two cmoplete thoughts that are not connected by a joining word such as as, and , but, or for
- to join two complete thought that are included as a transition using words such as however, moreover, therefore
colon
- to introduce a list
- introduce a quotation
- introduce an explanation
apostrophe
a contraction is formed when two words are combined to make one word or to show ownership
rules to numbers
- spell out # that are no more than two words
- be consistent
- use # to show dates, time, addresses, etc
forming possessive nouns:
add an apostrophe and an s to the noun and an apostrophe if the noun already is plural or ends in an s
comma splice
occurs when two independent clauses are connected by a comma. can be fixed by:
- creating two sentences
- adding coordinating conjunction and comma
- adding subordinating conjunction and comma
formal style
- full words
- should be writen in third person
- should be objective
- and complex and thorough
quoting:
- every quote begins with a capital letter
- if quote is split the second part does not get capital
- commas are used to separate the quotes part of sentence
- ending punctuation goes inside the quotation marks
point of views:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient
1st person
when main characeter is telling the story
secind person
is told from your perspective
third person
told usuing a narrator
third person limited
the narrators knowledge is limited to what one character knows
