Transcript Slide 1

The Monkey's Paw Principles and Skills
Run-on Sentence
Day 1
Run-on sentences happen when there are two independent clauses (units of
sentences that could stand on their own as a complete sentence) not separated by
any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a fused sentence. The error
can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate
the two sentences.
Titles of Short Stories
The titles of short stories are enclosed in quotation marks since they
are not book-length works.
I love the short story "Janus" by Ann Beattie.
Commas in Names of Places
When writing an address, a comma comes between the city and state or between
city and country.
Day 2
Titles before Names
Titles that come before a person's name should be capitalized.
When using an abbreviated title before someone's name , put a period
after the abbreviation.
Mr. Duckworth, Mrs. Willington or Dr. Benway
Use of a Colon: Never after Verb or Preposition
A colon never comes after a verb or a preposition. One solution is to
add the words the following after the verb or preposition and then use
a colon.
Frank and Sally went: to the store, to the restaurant and to
the
penitentiary. Incorrect
Frank and Sally went to the following places: the store, the
restaurant and the penitentiary. Correct
Day 3
Articles
English has two types of articles: definite (the) and indefinite (a, an).
The use of these articles depends mainly on whether you are referring to any
member of a group (a or an), or to a specific member of a group (the).
Sentence fragment
A sentence fragment is a group of words punctuated like a sentence that is
not a complete thought. Sentences should express complete thoughts. A
sentence fragment can also be a sentence missing a subject or predicate.
A versus An
a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy
an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant
a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e.
begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used)
some + plural noun: some girls
If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the
initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:
a broken egg
an unusual problem a European country (sounds like
'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound)
Note also that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a
profession, nation, or religion.
Seiko is a practicing Buddhist.
Punctuation of a quote
Direct quotations are another person's exact words--either spoken or in print-incorporated into your own writing.
Use a set of quotation marks to enclose each direct quotation included in your
writing.
Put a comma between the tag line (such as he said or she said) and the quote.
Use a capital letter with the first word of a direct quotation of a whole
sentence. Do not use a capital letter with the first word of a direct quotation of
part of a sentence.
If the quotation is interrupted and then continues in your sentence, do not
capitalize the second part of the quotation.
Day 4
Ending a Sentence with a Preposition
In formal writing, it is best not to end sentences with prepositions. This
"rule," however, is more of a preference than a rule because it originated
with Latin and not English. In Latin, one must have a prepostion before its
object or the preposition has no specific meaning. In English, this is not the ca
So, try to avoid ending sentences with prepositions by revising the sentence. I
the result of revision sounds ridiculous, then leave the
preposition at the end. Be warned that there are English teachers (at all
levels) who will insist that this is a rule that must be followed.
Winston Churchill on ending a sentence with a preposition:
“This is the sort of bloody nonsense up with which I will not put.”
(A revision of the sentence: This is the sort of bloody nonsense I will not
put up with.)
Numbers at the Beginning of a Sentence
When a number appears at the beginning of a sentence, it must be written
out (even if the number is more than one hundred).
Spelling of A lot
A lot is two words, not one word (alot is incorrect).
Day 5
Comma after Introductory Phrases
Use a comma after a phrase that introduces a sentence.
Moods of Verbs: Subjunctive
In English, there are three moods to verbs: the indicative (states something), th
imperative (commands someone to do something) and the subjunctive (implies
that the sentence is not true--it is the opposite). Some examples of
the subjunctive are the following:
If he were here...
(Implied: ...but he's not.)
If I were you...
(Implied: ...but I'm not)
Apostrophes
Apostrophes are used in the following ways:
to show possession
to show contractions
to show plurals of specific lowercase
End Punctuation of Sentences: Question Mark
Sentences must have some form of end punctuation--a period, a
question mark or an exclamation point.
When the sentence asks a question, use a question mark.