6+1 Traits: Conventions 6+1 Traits: Conventions & Fluency& Fluency

Punctuation & Mechanics Test Punctuation & Mechanics Test ReviewReview

Why Study Conventions?Why Study Conventions?

Conventions are a visual cue for the Conventions are a visual cue for the reader & to assure clarityreader & to assure clarity

Knowing how to use a comma and Knowing how to use a comma and when to use it can eliminate when to use it can eliminate mechanical & stylistic errors such as mechanical & stylistic errors such as subject-verb agreement issues, subject-verb agreement issues, sentence fragments, run on sentence fragments, run on sentences, and comma splices.sentences, and comma splices.

Connors-Lunsford StudyConnors-Lunsford Study

ErrorError Frequency in Frequency in StudyStudy

DegreeDegree Required Required UnderstandingUnderstanding

No Comma in a No Comma in a compound compound sentencesentence

33 Not significantNot significant -Subject-Verb-Subject-Verb

-Independent -Independent ClausesClauses

Comma SpliceComma Splice 88 Moderately Moderately SeriousSerious

-Subject-Verb-Subject-Verb

-Independent -Independent ClausesClauses

Sentence Sentence FragmentsFragments

1212 Very SeriousVery Serious -Subject-Verb-Subject-Verb

-Independent -Independent ClausesClauses

-Dependent -Dependent ClausesClauses

Lack of S-V Lack of S-V AgreementAgreement

1414 Very SeriousVery Serious Subject-VerbSubject-Verb

Run-on SentenceRun-on Sentence 1818 Very SeriousVery Serious -Subject-Verb-Subject-Verb

-Independent -Independent ClausesClauses

Punctuation: Commas & Punctuation: Commas & Semi-ColonSemi-Colon

Easiest way to combine ideas, Easiest way to combine ideas, develop complex ideas, and to develop complex ideas, and to clarify ideas.clarify ideas.

If used incorrectly, your writing If used incorrectly, your writing is not coherent and fluent—is not coherent and fluent—which impacts the over writing which impacts the over writing style.style.

Punctuation: Commas that Punctuation: Commas that Combine IdeasCombine Ideas

To create a series or listTo create a series or listShe needed her books, pencil, and calculator for the test.

To separate two adjectives that To separate two adjectives that equally modify the same nounequally modify the same noun

The actor’s eyes met the hard, bright lights hanging directly above him.

To enclose explanatory wordsTo enclose explanatory wordsThey stood together, away from the fire, as they saw their house burn down.

After introductory phrases or clausesAfter introductory phrases or clausesDetermined to finish the race, she did not slow her nine-minute mile pace.

Punctuation: Commas that Punctuation: Commas that Combine IdeasCombine Ideas

To separate Contrasted ElementsTo separate Contrasted ElementsAllison stepped into class, late as usual, and sat down..

To set off AppositivesTo set off AppositivesBenson, our family dog, has been with us for ten years..

To set off InterjectionsTo set off Interjections--Oh, I see what you mean.

-Yes, I think you might be right about that restaurant.

To set off InterruptionsTo set off Interruptions--For me, well, I think I prefer to speak Spanish.

-As a general rule, the best way to make money is to invest it.

Punctuation: Semi-ColonPunctuation: Semi-Colon

To Join or Set Off Two Independent To Join or Set Off Two Independent ClausesClauses

--I did not call myself a poet; I told people I wrote poems.-We waited all day in line as the tired travelers joined us; and when we finally

got to the ticket counter, we were able to solve our luggage problem.

With Conjunctive AdverbsWith Conjunctive AdverbsI cannot fathom how to keep up with technology; however, I will enroll in a

college course to begin the learning process.

To Separate Complex Ideas that are To Separate Complex Ideas that are GroupedGrouped

We will need to back the diapers, wipes, and powder; and the bottles, pacifiers, and teething ring; and the blanket, pillow, and night light.

Mechanics: Combining IdeasMechanics: Combining IdeasKey Terms to KnowKey Terms to Know

PhrasePhrase-a group of words that does not have a complete subject & verb.

Clause-Clause-has a subject & predicate (the subject, verb, and anything that may follow to complete the idea).

Independent Clause-Independent Clause-can stand alone as a complete thought..

Dependent Dependent (subordinate) (subordinate) Clause-Clause-it depends on the independent clause for meaning; it cannot stand alone.

Mechanics: Combining IdeasMechanics: Combining IdeasKey Terms to KnowKey Terms to Know

Comma SpliceComma Splice-when two independent clauses are joined by just a comma; it is missing the conjoining word/s.

Early in the summer, it had seemed a great idea to sign up for a rafting trip in Costa Rica, Maya had been wanting to go there.

ConjunctionConjunction-a word or phrase that joins words and their constructions (EX: and, but, or, yet, so, nor)

-We wanted to go to the concert, but we did not get tickets in time.-Would you like the gourmet chicken dinner or the salmon platter.

Subordinating Conjunctions-Subordinating Conjunctions-before, after, since; until, when, while; although, even though; because, since; if, unless.

-Before school, I crammed for my physics test.-I wanted to go to a second doctor for an opinion before I agreed to

surgery.

Sentence FluencySentence Fluency

I did not call myself a poet. I did not call myself a poet. I told people I wrote poems.I told people I wrote poems.

1. I did not call myself a poet, novelist, or biographer. I told people I wrote poems. 1. I did not call myself a poet, novelist, or biographer. I told people I wrote poems. (commas in a series)(commas in a series)

2. I did not call myself a sensitive, whimsical poet. I told people I wrote poems. 2. I did not call myself a sensitive, whimsical poet. I told people I wrote poems. (commas separating adj.)(commas separating adj.)

3. I told people I wrote poems, like e.e. cummings, but I did not call myself a poet. 3. I told people I wrote poems, like e.e. cummings, but I did not call myself a poet. (commas with explanatory words)(commas with explanatory words)

4. Because I told people I wrote poems, they thought I was a poet. 4. Because I told people I wrote poems, they thought I was a poet. (Intro clause or subordinate clause)(Intro clause or subordinate clause)

5. I did not call myself a poet, but I told people I wrote poems. 5. I did not call myself a poet, but I told people I wrote poems. (comma w/ conjunction)(comma w/ conjunction)

6. I did not call myself a poet; I told people I wrote poems. 6. I did not call myself a poet; I told people I wrote poems. (semi colon)(semi colon)

7. Yes, I told people I wrote poems; however, I did not call myself a poet.7. Yes, I told people I wrote poems; however, I did not call myself a poet. (semi colon with conjunctive adverb)(semi colon with conjunctive adverb)

Test Preparation: ConceptsTest Preparation: Concepts

Know key terms presented in Know key terms presented in this study guidethis study guide

Understand when & how to use Understand when & how to use the comma and semi-colonthe comma and semi-colon

Analyze writing to make editing Analyze writing to make editing corrections & explain why!corrections & explain why!

Create your own fluent writing; Create your own fluent writing; correctly use the comma & correctly use the comma & semi-colonsemi-colon

Test Preparation: What & How Test Preparation: What & How to Studyto Study

Use this study guideUse this study guide Refer to your 5 worksheet/ Refer to your 5 worksheet/

packets given in classpackets given in class On line quiz practiceOn line quiz practice I will post on our class website a I will post on our class website a

few other website links for few other website links for grammar review & practicegrammar review & practice

Write, write, and write more Write, write, and write more practice sentences/paragraphspractice sentences/paragraphs

BibliographyBibliography

Sebranek, Patrick, and Dave Kemper and Verne Sebranek, Patrick, and Dave Kemper and Verne

Meyer. Writers Inc. Wilmington: Houghton Mifflin, Meyer. Writers Inc. Wilmington: Houghton Mifflin,

2001.2001.

Weaver, Constance. Teaching Grammar in Context. Weaver, Constance. Teaching Grammar in Context.

Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 1996.Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 1996.