MAKING COMPLETE SENTENCES

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES vs. EVERYTHING ELSE

GRAMMAR BOOTCAMP!

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE = IND

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE = COMPLETE SENTENCE SUBJECT + PREDICATE = COMPLETE SENTENCE

NOUN + VERB (+ OBJECT+ RECEIVER) = INDEPENDENT

We will learn to accurately read and deconstruct essay prompts.

The college application essay is one of several important factors in the application process.

DEPENDENT CLAUSES, PHRASES, FRAGMENTS, WORDS = DCW

DCW = NOT A COMPLETE SENTENCE

TYPE #1: DCW starting with one of these words: after, although, as, before, even though, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while

Examples for TYPE #1: Although I understood the prompt= DCW

Because college application essays require time = DCW

DCW = NOT A COMPLETE SENTENCE

TYPE #2: DCW starting with verbs.

Practicing reading essay prompts = DCW

Reading articles about the college application process = DCW

DEPENDENT CLAUSES, PHRASES, FRAGMENTS, WORDS = DCW

DEPENDENT CLAUSES, PHRASES, FRAGMENTS, WORDS = DCW

DCW = NOT A COMPLETE SENTENCE

TYPE #3: Non-essentials

Seniors, the best class ever, will ideally resist senioritis! Our school’s seniors, the most mature group of students, stormed onto

college campuses across our nation, the United States of America!

• In both of these cases, the non-essentials are in the form of appositives*

We did, just as we planned, complete two essays for our college applications.

* In this case, the non-essential is in the form of an interrupter.

DEPENDENT CLAUSES, PHRASES, FRAGMENTS, WORDS = DCW

DCW = NOT A COMPLETE SENTENCETYPE #4: DCW that are select transition words:

consequently, clearly, furthermore, in addition, moreover, also, however, on the other hand, nevertheless, on the contrary

Clearly, our students are ready to tackle the college application essays.

Consequently, our students will have a less stressful senior year because they prepared for their applications over the summer.

Practice: In the sample below, label all IND and DCW parts of the sentences. Then, make corrections to any

grammatical/ mechanical errors in the prose.

• When applying to colleges I often remind students that their responses to the essay prompts are, in essence like a personal interview with the admissions committee. That is, they should open up about what’s important to them and cover topics that are meaningful and specifically address important items that may not come up in the rest of the application or even stress other parts of the application. The essays are really a reflection of who an applicant is. Often times students get others to help them craft their responses, which is fine, but I also remind students not to lose the essence of who they are. The story still has to be their own.

GOLDEN RULES: SEPARATE IND vs DCW(1) IND1, FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) IND2Coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)Juniors are cool, and they are excited for senior year .Mrs. Delacruz’s best friend is Ms. G, so Ms. G helps Mrs. Delacruz

with her social skills. Your Example: _____________________________________

(2) IND, DCW I met with my peer revision partner, knowing I could use their

help.I annotated for the ACIC model, since I realized it would help me

understand the model more comprehensively. Your Example: ______________________________________

GOLDEN RULES: SEPARATE IND vs DCW

(3) IND1, DCW, IND1Wheaton, our hometown, is a fantastic city.Your Example: ___________________________ (4) DCW, INDEven though the seniors are intelligent, they have

more to learn.Your Example: ___________________________

GOLDEN RULES: SEPARATE IND vs DCW

Type #5: IND1 FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) DCWWheaton North students are ready to learn and become

future leaders. Your Example: ___________________________

Grammar BootcampPart Two

Semi-colons, colons, and other commas

THE SEMI-COLON

Rule #1: IND1;IND2. College application essays require research and

critical thinking; one can say that this essay may be the final determining factor in an application.

Rule #2: IND; DCW,IND.

We have been working hard; however, we still have much to learn.

GOLDEN RULE: SEPARATE IND vs DCW

NEW IND

COLON

IND: DCW Rule #1: Use a colon before a DCW that is a list. – A colon is needed before these phrases: these are, there are, the

following, as follows, such as , these things. – Ex: We are annotating for SOAPSTone elements, imagery-

evoking syntax, and variation in syntax.

Rule #2: Use a colon before a DCW or imperative IND that is an explanation of the IND.

- Ex: There is one golden rule: separate IND and DCW. - Ex: I had one interest: to get my application essays

completed.

GOLDEN RULE: SEPARATE IND vs DCW

GOLDEN RULE: SEPARATE IND vs DCWCOLON

Rule #3: (Exception to IND:DCW) Use a colon before a

long, formal quotation.

Peter Van Buskirk, a consultant for “The College Admissions Insider” for the U.S. News & Report, offers this advice concerning the length of the common application essay: “Generally speaking, short and concise works the best. Keep in mind that admissions officers are prone to acting on first impressions. You don't want them to feel as though they are laboring to get through your prose. The suggested Common Application word count is 500. Try to stay as close to it as possible.”

GOLDEN RULE: SEPARATE IND vs DCWOTHER COMMA

USAGERule #1: Use a comma after every item in a series except the

last. The items in a series may be single words, or phrases, or clauses.

Ex: We will read commentary from admissions officers from an array of schools: University of Chicago, University of Illinois – Urbana – Champaign, Wheaton College, and Illinois State University.

Rule #2:When two or more adjectives come before a noun, use a comma after each adjective except the last one.

Ex: It is important to work towards a cogent, creative writing product.

Practice: In the sample below, label all IND and DCW parts of the sentences. Then, make corrections to any

grammatical/ mechanical errors in the prose.

This is the one time it really is all about you, colleges want to know what makes you unique. The essay is a critical component for our holistic review express yourself honestly. Review the essay question, and jot down your immediate personal responses. Don’t Google the question to see what others have written for their essays. If you can’t resist at least write your outline first and stay true to yourself in the final version. The requested essay topics reflect each college’s interests in shaping their incoming class. Writing on the requested essay topic should interest you. Be sure you answer the specific topic; don’t just tweak a generic essay.

Grammar Bootcamp: Part Three

Common Errors in VERB TENSES

Prepositions & Idioms

Tricky Verbs Infinitive Simple Past Past Participle Arise Arose ArisenBegin Began BegunChoose ChoseChosenDwell Dwelt/Dwelled Dwelt/DwelledFlee Fled

FledFling Flung FlungKnow Knew KnownLay Laid

LaidLead Led

LedLie (to recline) Lay LainLie (tell fibs) Lied

Lied Ride Rode

RiddenRing Rang

RungRise Rose

RisenSee Saw

SeenShrink Shrank ShrunkSink Sank

SunkStrive Strove/strived Striven/strivedSwear Swore SwornTake Took TakenWrite WroteWritten

Prepositions & Idiomatic Usage

• He can’t abide _____ the no-spitting rule.• It’s terrible to discriminate against parakeets.• She accused me of stealing.• I have a plan to escape from this prison.• I agreed to eat the broccoli.• There’s no excuse for your behavior.• I apologized _______ losing the hamsters.• You can’t hide _______ your past.• She applied for a credit card.• It was all he’d hoped _______.• She pretends to approve of my boyfriend.• I must insist __________ it.• She argued with the bouncer.• It’s impossible to object _______ her arguments.• I arrived at work ________ noon.• I refuse to participate _____ this discussion.• You believe in ghosts.• Pray for me.

Prepositions & Idiomatic Usage • He can’t abide by the no-spitting rule.• It’s terrible to discriminate against parakeets.• She accused me of stealing.• I have a plan to escape from this prison.• I agreed to eat the broccoli.• There’s no excuse for your behavior.• I apologized for losing the hamsters.• You can’t hide from your past.• She applied for a credit card.• It was all he’d hoped for.• She pretends to approve of my boyfriend.• I must insist upon it.• She argued with the bouncer.• It’s impossible to object to her arguments.• I arrived at work at noon.• I refuse to participate in this discussion.• You believe in ghosts.• Pray for me.

Prepositions & Idiomatic Usage• I can’t be blamed ______ your neuroses.• Protect me from evil.• Do you care about me?• Provide me with plenty ____ Skittles.• He’s in charge of grocery shopping.• She stayed home to recover _______ the flu.• Nothing compares to you.• I rely on myself.• What is there to complain ________?• She stared ________ his chest.• He can always count on money __________ his mommy.• He subscribes to several trashy magazines.• Ice cream consists of milk, fat, and sugar.• I succeeded __________ fooling him.• I depend on no one.• Wait for me!• That’s where cats differ ________ dogs. Work with me, people!

Prepositions & Idiomatic Usage• I can’t be blamed for your neuroses.• Protect me from evil.• Do you care about me?• Provide me with plenty of Skittles.• He’s in charge of grocery shopping.• She stayed home to recover from the flu.• Nothing compares to you.• I rely on myself.• What is there to complain about?• She stared at his chest.• He can always count on money from his mommy.• He subscribes to several trashy magazines.• Ice cream consists of milk, fat, and sugar.• I succeeded in fooling him.• I depend on no one.• Wait for me!• That’s where cats differ from dogs. Work with me, people!

Sentence Constructions: Quick Reference List

1) IND1, fanboys IND2. 2) DCW, IND. 3) IND fanboys DCW. 4) IND1, DCW, IND1. 5) IND1; IND2. 6) IND1; DCW, IND2. 7) IND: DCW (or IND imperative)