Sentence Structure
What type of sentence has one independent clause and no dependent clauses
What is a simple sentence?
In MLA format, what information usually appears in a parenthetical citation after a quotation?
What is the author's last name and page number?
What is wrong with this sentence? “Because college is expensive.”
What is a sentence fragment?
What is the main purpose of a thesis statement?
What is to clearly state the central claim or argument of an essay?
This is the place you can go when you want feedback on your writing before submitting an assignment.
What is the University Center for Excellence in Writing (UCEW)?
Identify the sentence type: “Although the experiment failed, the researchers learned something valuable.”
What is a complex sentence?
True or false: If you use information from a source but put it into your own words, you still need a citation.
What is true?
What is wrong with this sentence? “The professor gave an assignment the students completed it that night.”
What is a comma splice/run-on sentence?
Which is stronger as a thesis?
A. “Social media is popular.”
B. “Excessive social media use can negatively affect college students' academic performance by reducing concentration and study time.”
What is B?
You have to be a “bad writer” to visit the UCEW.
What is false?
Combine these into one sentence: “College students face many distractions. They must learn to manage their time.”
College students must learn to manage their time because they face many distractions.
(Other compound or complex sentences are acceptable).
What is the difference between a quotation and a paraphrase?
A quotation uses the source's exact words; a paraphrase restates the source's ideas in your own words.
Correct this sentence: “Students should proofread their papers, they often find several errors.”
“Students should proofread their papers because they often find several errors.”
(Answers vary.)
What is the problem with this thesis? “In this essay, I will discuss the effects of climate change.”
It announces the topic but does not make a specific, arguable claim.
At what stage of the writing process can the UCEW provide help and feedback?
Any stage, including pre-writing, planning, and revision.
What is the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause cannot.
A student writes: “According to researchers, social media can negatively affect attention spans.” No citation is provided. What is the problem?
The student needs to cite the source because the claim comes from outside research.
Identify the error: “Running down the hallway, the backpack fell off Marcus's shoulder.”
What is a dangling modifier?
Turn this topic into an arguable thesis: “The effects of working while in college.”
“Although working while attending college can provide valuable experience, excessive work hours can negatively affect students' academic performance.”
(Answers vary)
A writing consultant's job is to proofread your entire paper and fix all your grammar errors.
What is false?
Writing consultants aren't editors; they help you identify common mistakes and strengthen your writing skills.
Rewrite this sentence to improve its variety and flow: “Students read articles. Students take notes. Students write essays. Students revise their essays.”
As part of the writing process, students will read articles and take notes. From there, they will write and revise their essays.
(Answers will vary)
A student copies a source's sentence, changes three words, and cites the source. Is this an acceptable paraphrase? Why or why not?
No. It is too close to the original wording and may constitute plagiarism. A paraphrase should substantially restate the idea in the student's own language and include a citation.
Identify and correct the problem: “The research paper was difficult to write, however, the student finished it on time.”
What is a comma splice? Possible correction: “The research paper was difficult to write; however, the student finished it on time.”
A thesis says: “College students should exercise.” What two things could you add to make this thesis more specific and arguable?
A reason/claim and specific focus.
Ex: “College students should exercise regularly because physical activity can reduce stress and improve concentration.”
Your essay has excellent grammar but a weak thesis and poorly organized paragraphs. Would the UCEW still be useful? Why?
Yes. Writing support can address higher-order concerns such as ideas, argument, organization, and development, not just grammar.