Comma Rule
Americans did the worst, coming in behind Spain, Britain, Ireland, and Portugal.
Rule 1 ! Use a comma to separate words, phrases, and clauses.
Recommendation: prepare all curricular materials “on the basis of multicultured contributions to the development of all aspects of our society.”.
Use a colon to set off an explanation
“After all, how do you write a history of the Bill of Rights giving equal time to the contribution of women?”
Rhetorical Question
Which paragraph is the conclusion?
In the last paragraph, “The way to true self-esteem is through real achievement and real learning.” and “The pursuit of good feeling in education is a dead end.” both relate the thesis of this essay.
American students may not know their math. They have evidently absorbed the lessons of...
American students may not know their math, but they have evidently absorbed the lessons of...
American students may not know their math, but they have evidently absorbed the lessons of the newly fashionable self-esteem curriculum wherein kids are taught to feel good about themselves.
Rule 4 ! Use the comma to set off an introductory phrase
Some connection could, of course, be found---manufactured---if one pushed it.
Use the dash to emphasize an explanation
Only 23% answered yes. Americans were No.1, with an impressive 68% in agreement.
Facts/Statistics
What is the style of the passage?
Mostly formal.
Of course it is not just educators who are convinced that feeling good is the key to success.
Of course, it is not just educators who are convinced that feeling good is the key to success.
The fixation on inclusionary curricula is based on the widespread assumption that the pathologies afflicting many minorities, from teen pregnancy to drug abuse to high dropout rates......
Rule 2 ! Use a comma to separate independent clauses
Says a respected female historian: ” I’m beginning to think that in the future, it will become impossible to write a history textbook and satisfy these kinds of demands.
Use a colon to introduce a long quote
“ A 23 member panel created on the theory,” explains the Baltimore Sun, “that drug abuse, teen pregnancy, failure in school, and most other social ills can be reduced by making people feel good about themselves.”
Appeals to authority!!!
Why there is no solution that the pursuit of good feeling in education is a dead end in the last paragraph?
This relates the body paragraph and topic. This sentence echoes in every paragraph in the article (Charles Krauthammer), because the author was meant to make a point that the endeavour of good feeling is a waste of time. " (the second last paragraph)
True or false
The battle cry is “inclusion” in the teaching curriculum for every politically situated minority.
This sentence uses an ironic rhetorical method.
True!!!
Politically Balkanized curricula will only ensure that our schools continue to do bad, for which feeling good, no matter how relentlessly taught......
Rule 5 !! Use the comma to set off a parenthetical word or phrase
......then 40 years ago---the era of Amos 'n' Andy and parks with NO DOGS OR NEGROES signs---self-esteem should have been lower and......
Use the dash to emphasize a parenthetical thought
In California, it is required by law that textbooks not just exclude “adverse reflection” of any group but include “equal portrayal” of women, minorities, and the handicapped.
Illustrative Examples
What is the thesis in this essay?
(American) kids are taught to feel good about themselves.
In the mathematics test of six countries, the ranking order is: Britain, South Korea, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, and the United States.
The Correct ranking is South Korea, Spain, Britain, Ireland, Portugal, and the United States.