Define Me!
If you have trouble understanding a word in a passage or sentence of a story, you may want to read previous words or the end of the sentence to determine what the word means. What is this strategy known as?
Context Clues
We covered many of the fundamentals in our writing class grammar, punctuation, style, and voice.
We covered many of the fundamentals in our writing class: grammar, punctuation, style, and voice.
Introduce items in a list
In 1992, Starbucks had fewer than 200 stores. In 2002, almost 20,000.
In 1992, Starbucks had fewer than 200 stores; in 2002, almost 20,000.
Two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation
Run- on Sentence
The Christmas party was on December 18 2010.
Comma
The Christmas party was on December 18, 2010.
a comparison using like or as
Simile
It's easy to describe the old school busses smelly, sticky, rickety, and slow!
It’s easy to describe the old school busses: smelly, sticky, rickety and slow!
Heavy snow continues to fall at the airport consequently, all flights have been grounded.
Heavy snow continues to fall at the airport; consequently, all flights have been grounded.
The author's reason for writing (inform, persuade, entertain)
Tom the captain of the team was injured during the game.
Commas
Tom, the captain of the team, was injured during the game.
I'm supposed to graduate next week, but there's one problem I failed gym.
I’m supposed to graduate next week, but there’s one problem: I failed gym.
This conference has people who have come from Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.
This conference has people who have come from Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Nashville, Tennessee.
What is a sentence fragment?
not a complete thought; lacks subject/verb
He was a difficult stubborn child.
He was a difficult, stubborn child.
Evokes certain feelings in readers created by diction
What is Mood?
To Whom it May Concern Please accept my application for the position advertised in the News and Observer.
To Whom it May Concern: Please accept my application for the position advertised in the News and Observer.
Call me tomorrow. You can give me an answer tomorrow.
Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer tomorrow.
What is diction?
Word Choice
This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food on the other hand is rather bland.
This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.
the author's attitude towards the subject of the writing created by diction
What is tone?
I have my own definition of "spider" the scariest creature on planet Earth.
I have my own definition of “spider”: the scariest creature on planet Earth.
They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark therefore, they decided to camp for the night.
They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; therefore, they decided to camp for the night.
Parallel Structure
I dedicate this award to my parents Jane Austen and Albert Einstein.
I dedicate this award to my parents, Jane Austen, and Albert Einstein.