Fragments & Run-Ons
Sentence Variety
Subordination & Coordination
Emphasis
Rewrite
100
When you connect two independent clauses using a comma, you create this.
What is a Comma Splice?
100
When you write sentences of different lengths and types within a piece of writing, you create this.
What is Sentence Variety?
100
These two tools show relationships between ideas.
What are Subordination & Coordination?
100
This allows you to add weight to ideas of special importance.
What is Emphasis?
100
Revise this sentence using a Coordinating Conjunction to show ADDITION. "I stood up. I knocked over his cup of milk."
"I stood up, and I knocked over his cup of milk." "I stood up and knocked over his cup of milk."
200
"I really liked how that book ended, did you read it?" Fragment, Run-On, or Comma Splice?
Comma Splice.
200
This is a clause that can stand on its own.
What is an Independent Clause?
200
This shows the equality of ideas.
What is Coordination?
200
If you want to emphasize one word, you can do this.
Italicize it (within text) Use bold face (headings and subheadings) Repeat it several times throughout your writing
200
Re-write the following paragraph using Sentence Variety: "There is a problem. It is widely known as sick-building syndrome. It comes from indoor air pollution. It causes office workers to suffer. They have trouble breathing. They have painful rashes. Their heads ache. Their eyes burn."
[Variable.]
300
"When she was finished and handed the card to me." Fragment, Run-on, or Comma Splice?
Fragment.
300
This is a clause that CANNOT stand on its own; it is NOT a complete thought.
What is a Dependent Clause?
300
This shows that one idea is more important than others.
What is Subordination?
300
In order to emphasize one idea, you can vary this.
What is sentence length?
300
Re-write the following paragraph using Sentence Variety: "Science fiction writers are often thinkers, and they are often dreamers, and they let their imaginations wander. Jules Verne was such a writer, and he predicted spaceships, and he forecast atomic submarines, but most people did not believe airplanes were possible."
[Variable.]
400
How would you fix this sentence so that it is no longer a comma splice? "I went to the store yesterday, it was crowded."
Make two sentences. Add semi-colon. Comma +coordinating conjunction.
400
A paragraph can sound too blunt, direct, and uninteresting if the writer uses too many of these.
What are short, simple sentences?
400
When using a coordinating conjunction, NOR means this.
What is Negative Choice?
400
Re-write this paragraph, using sentence variety, in order to create emphasis: "Yesterday was my mother's birthday, and we all went to the park to celebrate, and she is a wonderful woman."
Yesterday was my mother's birthday, and we all went to the park to celebrate. She is a wonderful woman.
400
Revise the following sentence using a Coordinating Conjunction to show RESULT or EFFECT: "I failed the test. I won't pass the class."
I failed the test, so I won't pass the class. I failed the test; therefore, I won't pass the class.
500
"When I graduate, I hope to work for a non-profit I know it will be hard work, though." Fragment, Run-On, or Comma Splice? How would you fix this sentence?
Run-On. Fix: Two sentences. Add semi-colon. Or revise sentence using coordination conjunction.
500
Turn this COMPOUND sentence into two SIMPLE sentences. "The sky was dark and stormy, and she was tempted to go back inside."
The sky was dark and stormy. She was tempted to go back inside.
500
When using a coordinating conjunction, BUT or YET means this.
What is Contrast?
500
Revise this sentence so that the emphasis is on the tree's appearance: "As I walked along the street, I saw a tree, which was charred and looked like it had been struck by lighting."
As I walked along the street, I saw a tree. It was charred and looked like it had been struck by lighting. As I walked along the street, I saw a tree. This tree was charred, as if it had been struck by lighting. As I walked along the street, I saw a charred tree. It looked like it had been struck by lighting.