Commas
“Before school I finished my homework.”
“Before school, I finished my homework.”
Bring three things to class ___ a pencil, a notebook, and your textbook.
Bring three things to class: a pencil, a notebook, and your textbook.
What does a sentence need to have?
A subject.
A verb
Complete thought
What font size and font style are commonly used for an MLA-formatted paper?
A legible font, commonly Times New Roman, at 12-point size. MLA requires a legible font with a clear distinction between regular and italic text.
Explain why this sentence could confuse a reader:
When Taylor met Morgan after class, she was frustrated.
You do not know who is frustrated, Morgan or Taylor?
My brother, who plays soccer is joining the team.
My brother, who plays soccer, is joining the team.
Add appropriate commas:
After finishing her essay Maya checked her citations revised her conclusion and submitted her work
After finishing her essay, Maya checked her citations, revised her conclusion, and submitted her work.
What is the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?
Independent clause: a complete sentence that can stand alone.
Dependent clause: Does not express a complete thought and is dependent on other clauses to complete its meaning.
What four pieces of information belong in the heading at the top left of the first page of a standard MLA paper?
Student's name, instructor's name, course name or number, and date, each on a separate line.
Identify the mistake:
This made the students frustrated because the teacher changed the essay requirements the night before the deadline.
When you start a sentence with a vague pronoun, it sets up the whole phrase to be confusing. What is the "this" that made the student frustrated?
The assignment was difficult but I finished it on time.
The assignment was difficult, but I finished it on time.
Place the semicolon:
The library was closing soon we decided to finish our research at home.
The library was closing soon; we decided to finish our research at home.
Identify the fragment and correct it:
The class reviewed the chapter. Including the vocabulary at the end.
The class reviewed the chapter, including the vocabulary at the end.
A student places their last name and page number in the bottom-right corner of every page. What is wrong?
In standard MLA formatting, the last name and page number go in the upper-right header of each page, about half an inch from the top.
Identify and revise why this phrase is confusing
The school introduced a new grading policy, and this upset several parents.
The "this" could refer to either the grade policy itself or the introduction of it.
Identify why this sentence is incorrect and two possible solutions:
“The test was difficult, I studied all night.”
Two independent clauses cannot be conjoined by a comma.
Solutions:
Replace the comma with a period.
Turn the second clause into a dependent clause
Correct the mistake:
My favorite subjects are: English, history, and biology.
My favorite subjects are English, history, and biology.
Revise this passage so that every sentence is complete:
The students prepared for the debate. By researching opposing viewpoints. Which helped them strengthen their arguments.
The students prepared for the debate by researching opposing viewpoints, which helped them strengthen their arguments.
A student includes this quotation in an essay: According to the article, “students benefit from reading daily.” (page 12)
There are two mistakes. Rewrite the citation using MLA in-text citation rules, assuming the author's last name is Rivera.
A student includes this quotation in an essay: According to the article, “students benefit from reading daily” (page Rivera 12).
Identify the vague pronoun and rewrite the sentence to make its meaning clear.
After the principal announced that the school day would be extended, this upset many students.
The principal’s announcement that the school day would be extended upset many students.
Explain the mistake:
The novel was published in 1965, and remains popular today.
The two verb phrases share one subject, so a comma is not needed before and.
Place the correct punctuation:
The students had two options they could revise their essays, however, several chose to submit them as they were
The students had two options: they could revise their essays; however, several chose to submit them as they were
Identify both fragments and revise the passage while preserving the original meaning:
The main character makes a poor decision. Because he allows his fear to control him. Which eventually leads to his downfall.”
The main character makes a poor decision because he allows his fear to control him, which eventually leads to his downfall.
Identify and correct all three mistakes.
A student creates a Works Cited page but makes three mistakes: the title is “Bibliography,” the entries are numbered, and each entry is single-spaced with an extra blank line between sources.
Title the page Works Cited, alphabetize entries by the first element (usually the author's last name), do not number the entries, and double-space the entire list without adding extra blank lines between entries. Use a hanging indent for each entry.
Locate the vague pronoun (there might be more than one):
Jordan told Jack that his essay was confusing. He said it needed more evidence, but this made Him defensive.
Jordan told Jack that (his) essay was confusing. (He) said (it) needed more evidence, but (this) made (him) defensive.