ENG 101_SP15

Misplaced & Dangling Modifiers

Numbers

Classical Arguments

Misplaced & Dangling Modifiers

Modifiers are words that describe other words in

a sentence

Modifiers should be near the words they modify

Linda saw the White House flying over Washington, D.C.

Flying over Washington, D.C., Linda saw the White House.

Trying to eat a hot dog, my bike swerved off the path.

While I was trying to eat a hot dog, my bike swerved off

the path.

Put limiting modifiers in front of the

words they modify Limiting modifiers = only, even, almost, nearly,

just

These should appear in front of a verb only if they modify the verb

At first, I couldn’t even touch my toes, much less grasp them.

If they limit the meaning of some other word in the sentence, they should be placed in front of that word.

The cathedral almost took six centuries to complete.

The cathedral took almost six centuries to complete.

Put limiting modifiers in front of the

words they modify Limiting modifiers = only, even, almost, nearly, just

These should appear in front of a verb only if they

modify the verb

At first, I couldn’t even touch my toes, much less grasp them.

If they limit the meaning of some other word in the

sentence, they should be placed in front of that word.

The cathedral almost took six centuries to complete.

The cathedral took almost six centuries to complete.

Put limiting modifiers in front of the

words they modify If you just interview chemistry majors, your picture of the

student body’s response to the new grading policies will be incomplete.

We are only interviewing as opposed to any other options

If you interview just chemistry majors, your picture of the student body’s response to the new grading policies will be incomplete.

We are only dealing with chemistry majors

If you interview just chemistry majors, your picture of the student body’s response to the new grading policies will be incomplete.

Place phrases and clauses so that readers can see at

a glance what they modify

The soccer player returned to the clinic where he had

undergone emergency surgery in 2004 in a limousine

sent by Adidas.

He had surgery in a limousine???

Traveling in a limousine sent by Adidas, the soccer

player returned to the clinic where he had undergone

emergency surgery in 2004

Place phrases and clauses so that readers can see at

a glance what they modify

There are many pictures of comedians who have

performed at Gavin’s on the walls.

The comedians are performing on the walls?

On the walls are many pictures of comedians who

have performed at Gavin’s.

The robber was described as a six-foot-tall man with a

heavy mustache weighing 170 pounds.

That’s a heavy mustache!!!

The robber was described as a 170-pound, six-foot-tall

man with a heavy mustache.

Place phrases and clauses so that readers can see at

a glance what they modify

A squinting modifier leads to ambiguity

The exchange students we met for coffee occasionally

questioned us about our latest slang.

Did they meet occasionally? Or did the questioning

happen occasionally?

The exchange students we occasionally met for coffee

questioned us about our latest slang.

The exchange students we met for coffee questioned

us occasionally about our latest slang.

Move awkwardly placed modifiers

A sentence should flow from subject to verb to

object without lengthy detours along with way

Upset by the bad call, a hot-tempered tennis

player who charged the umpire and tried to crack

the poor man's skull with a racket, the crowd

cheered Robbie.

Upset by the bad call, the crowd cheered Robbie,

a hot-tempered tennis player who charged the

umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull

with a racket.

Avoid awkward split infinitives

Infinitive = to plus base form of a verb (to think)

Split infinitive = modifier between to and verb (to

carefully balance, to completely understand)

When a long word or phrase appears between

parts of the infinitive, result is usually awkward

The patient should try to if possible avoid going up and

down stairs.

If possible, the patient should try to avoid going up and

down stairs.

Dangling Modifiers

Modifier fails to refer logically to any word in the

sentence

Understanding the need to create checks and

balances on power, the Constitution divided the

government into three branches.

The document understood the need for checks

and balances?

Understanding the need to create checks and

balances on power, the framers of the Constitution

divided the government into three branches.

Where vs. When

April the first is known as All Fools’ Day ______

people play practical jokes on each other.

The pound _____ Bella found me is in Kittanning.

Which Vs. That

Gems _____ sparkle often elicit forgiveness.

Diamonds, _____ are expensive, often elicit

forgiveness.

There was an earthquake in China, _____ is bad.

Which Vs. That Gems _____ sparkle often elicit forgiveness.

Restrictive Clause—That

A restrictive clause is just part of a sentence that you can't get rid of because it specifically restricts some other part of the sentence.

Here's an example: The words that sparkle restrict the kind of gems you're talking about. Without them, the meaning of the sentence would change. Without them, you'd be saying that all gems elicit forgiveness, not just the gems that sparkle. (And note that you don't need commas around the words that sparkle.)

Which Vs. That

Diamonds, _____ are expensive, often elicit forgiveness.

There was an earthquake in China, _____ is bad.

Nonrestrictive Clause—Which

A nonrestrictive clause is something that can be left off without

changing the meaning of the sentence. You can think of a

nonrestrictive clause as simply additional information.

Explanation: Diamonds are always expensive, so leaving out the words which

are expensive doesn't change the meaning of the sentence. (Also note that the

phrase is surrounded by commas. Nonrestrictive clauses are usually

surrounded by, or preceded by, commas.)

NUMBERS

Numbers

What is the rule for writing numbers?

Numbers

Differ according to style guide

MLA – use numerals for numbers above one hundred (starting with 101)

MLA – spell out numbers one hundred and below

MLA – spell out large round numbers (fifteen million)

APA – spell out numbers one through nine, 10 and above written numerically

Both – when one number immediately follows another, spell out one number and use numerals for other (three 100-meter events, 25 four-poster beds)

Both – always write out numbers that begin a sentence

Numbers

use numerals according to convention

Dates – July 4, 1776; 56 BC; AD 30

Addresses – 77 Latches Lane, 519 West 42nd Street

Percentages – 55 percent (or 55%)

Fractions, Decimals – ½, 0.047

Scores – 7 to 3, 21 – 18

Statistics – average age 37, average weight 180

Surveys – 4 out of 5

Exact amounts of money - $105. 37

Divisions of books – volume 3, Chapter 4, page 189

Divisions of plays – act 3, scene 3 (or act III, scene iii)

Identification numbers – serial number

10988675

Time of Day – 4:00 p.m., 1:30 a.m.

When not using a.m. or p.m., write out the

time in words (two o’clock in the afternoon,

twelve noon, seven in the morning)

Numbers

use numerals according to convention

CLASSICAL

ARGUMENTS

What is the classical structure of an

argument?

Introduction

Attention grabber

Memorable scene, illustrative story, startling statistic

Explanation of issue and needed background

Thesis

What is the classical structure of an

argument?

Presentation of writer’s position

Main body of essay

Presents & supports each reason in turn

Each reason is tied to a value/belief held by the

audience

What is the classical structure of an

argument?

Summary of opposing views

Response to opposing views

Refutes opposing views

Shows weaknesses in opposing views

Concedes to some strengths

What is the classical structure of an

argument?

Conclusion

Summarizes argument

Leaves strong last impression

Calls for action or relates topic to larger context

of issues

Epic Rap Battles of History

How is this clip an example of a classical

argument?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3w2MTXBeb

g

Epic Rap Battles of History

How is this clip an example of a classical argument?

What is the introduction? How is background

information provided? What is the thesis?

What arguments are made by Shakespeare?

What does Seuss say to refute his opponent?

How does Shakespeare respond to the opposing

views?

What is the conclusion? What is the lasting impression?

What is the call for action or how is the topic related

to a larger context of issues?

Shakespeare Vs. Seuss Discussion

1. Which character had the best argument? Who do

you think won?

2. What were some of the arguments made by the

winner?

3. How did the winner refute his opponent’s

arguments?

4. What were some of the opponent’s key arguments?

For Tuesday...

View and complete worksheet for assigned

videos

Newsletters due Tuesday 4/28

+5 bonus points if submit Thursday 4/23

9:30 AM Video Clip Assignments

Easter Bunny vs. Genghis Khan; Michael Jackson vs. Elvis Presley

Ty, Matt, Brittany, Meagan, Sara, Max

Batman vs. Sherlock Holmes; Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates

Ronaldo, Mike B., Cody B., Bobby, Mike C., Rachel

Steven Hawking vs. Einstein; Romeo & Juliet vs. Bonnie & Clyde

A’nesshea, Drew, De’Maun, Mark, Chaunte, Donte

Moses vs. Santa; Mario Bros. vs. Wright Bros.

Gene, Lori, Jenna, Chantel, Nancy, Rachel, La’Tae

12PM Video Clip Assignments

Easter Bunny vs. Genghis Khan; Michael Jackson vs. Elvis Presley

Tyler, Billy, Arionna, Erin, Julian, Chris

Batman vs. Sherlock Holmes; Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates

Jake, Brittany, Ryan C., Chaymaa, Ryan M., Ventrice

Steven Hawking vs. Einstein; Mr. Rogers vs. Mr. T

Aaron, Sarah, Carina, Adrienne, Lauren, Kayla

Moses vs. Santa; Mario Bros. vs. Wright Bros.

Brian, Jesse, Zach, Morgan, Lyndsey