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RunRun--On On
SentencesSentences
PURPOSE
Our Fun ACT Prep materials are organized around the college readiness standards assessed on the ACT English and Reading
tests. We isolate one skill at a time, introducing the concept, providing examples, suggesting strategies, and encouraging
reflection. Teachers use Fun ACT Prep resources:
as daily lessons,
as bell ringers,
as a comprehensive review in the weeks leading up to the ACT test,
as a change of pace from the typically daunting and dry test prep materials,
for classroom instruction,
for after-school programs,
for small group tutoring,
for independent practice
Fun ACT Prep English & Reading: Skill by Skill takes the intimidation factor out of testing, helping students of all backgrounds
and abilities achieve success on the ACT. Taking the ACT may not be fun, but preparing for it should be!
COMPONENTS
Skill Introduction: These quick and handy one-page explanations outline each individual skill. Rather than overwhelm students with a plethora of information, we cut right to the chase, summarizing the key concepts students need for success on the ACT to give them the most “bang for their buck.” If you want to time your students, give them 36 seconds per English question and 52.5 seconds per reading question.
Practice: A mini passage provides students an opportunity to practice one skill at a time. Because the skill is isolated, all the ACT-style questions reflect one single concept.
Answer Keys: Students are given brief explanations that reinforce the key concepts outlined in the chapter. Self-assessment checklists and reflection questions guide students to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Test-Taking Tips & Fun Facts: Test-taking tips are provided, and a “Fun Facts” section maintains students’ interest levels in the teen-friendly topics of the book.
WHAT MAKES FUN ACT PREP DIFFERENT?
Fun ACT Prep is unlike any other test prep series. The resources are both student and teacher friendly. Features include:
High-interest materials that keep students engaged and thus more attentive to the learning process
Isolation of one skill at a time is more conducive for chunking, scaffolding, and mastery
Shorter practice exercises ease students into the test-taking process
Reasonable length lessens the intimidation factor that accompanies more massive books
© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/Fun-ACT-Prep
www.funactprep.com
© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
THE SKILL
Several complete thoughts within one sentence must be separated in some way. You have three options (only
pick one, please):
Divide the run-on into two (or more) complete sentences. Put a period between the two (or
more) complete thoughts. Super simple.
Insert a comma + a conjunction (never a comma alone) between the two complete thoughts.
Insert a semicolon between the two complete thoughts (review semicolons on page 54).
WHAT THESE QUESTIONS LOOK LIKE
Wonderstruck is a fragrance by singer (1) Taylor
Swift it capitalizes on her vast fanbase amongst
teenage girls.
1. Which of the following choices would NOT
correct the underlined portion?
A. Taylor Swift; it capitalizes
B. Taylor Swift. It capitalizes
C. Taylor Swift, and it capitalizes
D. Taylor Swift, it capitalizes
A, B, and C are all options for correcting the run-on sentence. D is not acceptable (and thus our answer) because a comma alone cannot be used to join two complete thoughts.
STRATEGIES TO WIN
Remember your three options for correcting a run-on sentence:
Period
Semicolon
Comma + conjunction
Check your work: Only use one of the options above if everything before the period/semicolon/comma +
conjunction is a complete thought, AND if everything after the period/semicolon/comma + conjunction is a
complete thought.
Watch Out! Many students (and adults) incorrectly try to combine two complete thoughts by joining them
with a comma. This is incorrect! Only use a comma between two complete thoughts if you combine it with a
conjunction (and remember, the comma is placed before the conjunction).
90
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This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
www.funactprep.com or contact us at
© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
RUN-ON SENTENCES PRACTICE
Fearless
Country cross-over artist Taylor Swift combines
girl-next-door charm (1) with country roots and catchy
tunes. After moving with her family to Nashville at age
fourteen, Swift became the youngest songwriter hired by
Sony/ATV Music. Soon after, she released (2) her debut
album the single “Our Song” made her the youngest
singer-songwriter of a #1 country song. In 2006, Swift
was also nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist.
Two years later, Swift released her (3) second
album, Fearless and she went on to become the
youngest Grammy winner ever for Album of the Year.
Fearless became the most-awarded country album in
history. Her acceptance speech after becoming the first
country artist to win an MTV Video Music Award was
overshadowed by (4) Kanye West’s interruption Swift
maintained her poise and won even more fans.
Taylor Swift shows no signs of slowing down.
Her third album, Speak Now, sold one million copies in its
first week. She has also (5) ventured into films and
even released her own fragrance, Wonderstuck. Taylor
Swift made her mark on the world at a young age and will
likely continue to inspire her fans for years to come.
1. A. NO CHANGE
B. with country roots, and catchy tunes.
C. with country roots. And her catchy tunes.
D. with country roots, and she writes catchy
tunes.
2. Which of the following changes to the underlined
portion would NOT be acceptable?
F. her debut album; the single “Our Song”
G. her debut album, and the single “Our Song”
H. her debut album. The single “Our Song”
J. her debut album, the single “Our Song”
3. A. NO CHANGE
B. second album, Fearless, and she went on
C. second album, Fearless; and she went on
D. second album, Fearless. And she went on
4. The underlined portion can be replaced with all of the
following EXCEPT:
F. Kanye West’s interruption, but Swift
maintained
G. Kanye West’s interruption; however, Swift
maintained
H. Kanye West’s interruption, Swift maintained
J. Kanye West’s interruption, though Swift
maintained
5. A. NO CHANGE
B. ventured into films, and even released
C. ventured into films and she even released
D. ventured into films; even released
91
This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
www.funactprep.com or contact us at
© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
SENTENCE STRUCTURE—Run-Ons
Answer Explanation
1. A We tried to trick you. The underlined portion in the passage is NOT a run-on sentence. It only contains one complete thought; therefore, the three options presented for fixing run-on sentences are not needed here.
2. J In “NOT” questions, we are looking for the WRONG answer. Choice J is NOT an option for correcting run-on sentences because it forms a comma splice. Remember: We cannot use a comma alone to join two complete thoughts. The other answer choices (using a semicolon, a comma plus a conjunction, or a period) are all acceptable options for correcting a run-on sentence.
3. B This sentence combines two complete thoughts with the conjunction and. However, we also need a comma before the conjunction (this rule only applies when joining two complete thoughts). Also, the album title Fearless can be considered an interruption (remember the lesson on commas), so we need a comma after it as well.
4. H Similar to question 2, we are looking for a WRONG answer. And just like in question 2, the WRONG option creates a comma splice by incorrectly joining two complete thoughts with a comma alone.
5. A Another trick question: The underlined portion in question 5 is NOT a run-on sentence. Therefore, no change is necessary.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
Check your score range as listed below: ______ 4-5 correct: We are wonderstruck at your ability to correct run-on sentences. ______ 3 correct: Your sentence structure skills are fearless. ______ 1-2 correct: Even Taylor Swift would be shocked! ______ 0 correct: Instead of writing a sad song, go back to page 90 to rehearse.
92
This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
www.funactprep.com or contact us at
© 2012 Mary Kate Durkin & Chris Mikulskis
REFLECTION
1. Revise the run-on sentence using each of the three options.
2. You may only use a comma to correct a run-on if you combine it with a: _________________________
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has written over 250 songs. She wrote her first song about feeling like an outsider at school when she was only twelve years old.
Before moving to Nashville to pursue country music, Taylor grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania.
Taylor has been romantically linked to several celebrities, including Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, Jake Gyllenhaal, and John Mayer. Some speculate that a few of her hit songs have even been inspired by her famous exes.
Taylor was the youngest musical guest to appear on Saturday Night Live.
She wrote two original songs for The Hunger Games soundtrack.
RUN-ON:
Taylor Swift is one of country music's most popular stars she has
sold millions of albums.
USE A PERIOD
USE A SEMICOLON
USE A COMMA + A CONJUNCTION
1. Possible Answers: A) Taylor Swift is one of country music's most popular stars. She has sold millions of albums. B) Taylor Swift is one of country
music's most popular stars; she has sold millions of albums. C) Taylor Swift is one of country music's most popular stars, and she has sold millions of
albums.
2. comma A
B
C
93 This is a SAMPLE of Fun ACT Prep: Skill by
Skill. For more information, please visit
www.funactprep.com or contact us at
Want More Fun ACT Prep?
Check Out these related Resources:
Sentence Fragments
Click here for link
Misplaced Modifiers
Click here for link
Sentence Structure Assessment
Click here for link
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Our Story Dreading teaching yet another long, boring test prep
seminar, high school English teachers Chris Mikulskis and Mary Kate
Durkin created their own high-interest, skills-based ACT-like
passages to engage their students and shake up typical test prep
lessons. The response was overwhelming: students were entertained,
engaged, and most importantly, learning. Thus, Fun ACT Prep was born.
Now, we strive to make skills-based learning and preparation for standardized tests
both meaningful and entertaining for students and teachers alike. Our expanding
range of resources continues to reflect our philosophy of combining high-interest
content with skills-based instruction. Please visit us on the sites listed below:
