Transcript 6+1 Traits: Conventions & Fluency

6+1 Traits: Conventions
& Fluency
Punctuation & Mechanics Test
Review
Why Study Conventions?

Conventions are a visual cue for the
reader & to assure clarity

Knowing how to use a comma and
when to use it can eliminate
mechanical & stylistic errors such as
subject-verb agreement issues,
sentence fragments, run on
sentences, and comma splices.
Connors-Lunsford Study
Error
Frequency in
Study
Degree
Required
Understanding
No Comma in a
compound
sentence
3
Not significant
-Subject-Verb
-Independent
Clauses
Comma Splice
8
Moderately
Serious
-Subject-Verb
-Independent
Clauses
Sentence
Fragments
12
Very Serious
-Subject-Verb
-Independent
Clauses
-Dependent
Clauses
Lack of S-V
Agreement
14
Very Serious
Subject-Verb
Run-on Sentence
18
Very Serious
-Subject-Verb
-Independent
Clauses
Punctuation: Commas &
Semi-Colon

Easiest way to combine ideas,
develop complex ideas, and to
clarify ideas.

If used incorrectly, your writing is
not coherent and fluent—which
impacts the over writing style.
Punctuation: Commas that
Combine Ideas

To create a series or list
She needed her books, pencil, and calculator for the test.
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To separate two adjectives that
equally modify the same noun
The actor’s eyes met the hard, bright lights hanging directly above him.
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To enclose explanatory words
They stood together, away from the fire, as they saw their house burn down.
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After introductory phrases or clauses
Determined to finish the race, she did not slow her nine-minute mile pace.
Punctuation: Commas that
Combine Ideas
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To separate Contrasted Elements
Allison stepped into class, late as usual, and sat down.
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To set off Appositives
Benson, our family dog, has been with us for ten years.
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To set off Interjections
-Oh, I see what you mean.
-Yes, I think you might be right about that restaurant.
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To set off Interruptions
-For me, well, I think I prefer to speak Spanish.
-As a general rule, the best way to make money is to invest it.
Punctuation: Semi-Colon
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To Join or Set Off Two Independent
Clauses
-I did not call myself a poet; I told people I wrote poems.
-We waited all day in line as the tired travelers joined us; and when we finally
got to the ticket counter, we were able to solve our luggage problem.
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With Conjunctive Adverbs
I cannot fathom how to keep up with technology; however, I will enroll in a
college course to begin the learning process.
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To Separate Complex Ideas that are
Grouped
We will need to back the diapers, wipes, and powder; and the bottles, pacifiers,
and teething ring; and the blanket, pillow, and night light.
Mechanics: Combining Ideas
Key Terms to Know

Phrase-a group of words that does not have a
complete subject & verb.

Clause-has a subject & predicate (the subject,
verb, and anything that may follow to complete the
idea).

Independent Clause-can stand alone
as a complete thought.

Dependent (subordinate) Clause-it
depends on the independent clause for meaning; it
cannot stand alone.
Mechanics: Combining Ideas
Key Terms to Know

Comma Splice-when two independent clauses
are joined by just a comma; it is missing the conjoining
word/s.
Early in the summer, it had seemed a great idea to sign up for a rafting trip in
Costa Rica, Maya had been wanting to go there.

Conjunction-a word or phrase that joins words and
their constructions (EX: and, but, or, yet, so, nor)
-We wanted to go to the concert, but we did not get tickets in time.
-Would you like the gourmet chicken dinner or the salmon platter.
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Subordinating Conjunctions-before, after,
since; until, when, while; although, even though; because,
since; if, unless.
-Before school, I crammed for my physics test.
-I wanted to go to a second doctor for an opinion before I agreed to
surgery.
Sentence Fluency

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I did not call myself a poet.
I told people I wrote poems.
1. I did not call myself a poet, novelist, or biographer. I told people I wrote poems.
(commas in a series)
2. I did not call myself a sensitive, whimsical poet. I told people I wrote poems.
(commas separating adj.)
3. I told people I wrote poems, like e.e. cummings, but I did not call myself a poet.
(commas with explanatory words)
4. Because I told people I wrote poems, they thought I was a poet.
(Intro clause or subordinate clause)
5. I did not call myself a poet, but I told people I wrote poems.
(comma w/ conjunction)
6. I did not call myself a poet; I told people I wrote poems. (semi colon)
7. Yes, I told people I wrote poems; however, I did not call myself a poet.
(semi colon with conjunctive adverb)
Test Preparation: Concepts

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Know key terms presented in
this study guide
Understand when & how to use
the comma and semi-colon
Analyze writing to make editing
corrections & explain why!
Create your own fluent writing;
correctly use the comma &
semi-colon
Test Preparation: What & How
to Study

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Use this study guide
Refer to your 5 worksheet/
packets given in class
On line quiz practice
I will post on our class website a
few other website links for
grammar review & practice
Write, write, and write more
practice sentences/paragraphs
Bibliography
Sebranek, Patrick, and Dave Kemper and Verne
Meyer. Writers Inc. Wilmington: Houghton Mifflin,
2001.
Weaver, Constance. Teaching Grammar in Context.
Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook, 1996.