Grammar and Summary

Week 3, Part 1

Today

1. 6 Biggest Grammar Errors2. Summary

Word of the Day

Wrest

To twist, turn, or pullTo take away by force

The heckler wrested the comedian’s authority from him.

I want to wrest the cigarette from my grandma every time she lights up.

6 Biggest Grammar Errors

1. Parallel structure2. Comma splices/run-ons3. Fragments4. Subject agreement5. Dangling modifier6. Wrong word

Dangling Modifier

Dangling Modifier:

A modifier that does not refer logically to any word in the sentence. It suggests but does not name the true subject.

Dangling Modifier

Diseased, the farmers disposed of the potatoes.

Checking the call display while biking, a dog ran in front of me.

Deciding to join the navy, the recruiter enthusiastically pumped Joe’s hand.

Upon entering the doctor’s office, a skeleton caught my attention.

Dangling Modifier

Though only sixteen, UCLA accepted Martha’s application.

To please the children, some fireworks were set off a day early.

Try It!

6 Biggest Grammar Errors

1. Parallel structure2. Comma splices/run-ons3. Fragments4. Subject-verb agreement5. Dangling modifier6. Wrong word

6. Wrong Word

Affect/Effect Its/it’s Allot/a lot Who’s whose Your/you’re They’re/their/there

Try It!

6 Biggest Grammar Errors

1. Parallel structure2. Comma splices/run-ons3. Fragments4. Subject-verb agreement5. Dangling participle6. Wrong word

Why the Blog?

Post comments and practice your writing Post group work for group work mark

and participation Find past PowerPoints Find readings Ask questions that may apply to the

whole group

The Blog!

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Ten Steps

1. Identify reader and title

2. State the complete thesis (controlling idea and supporting reasons).

3. Include significant points

4. Maintain the order (except for the thesis)

5. Maintain the proportion

6. Be neutral

7. Exclude your own response

8. Be brief

9. No quotations except for key words

10. Put only the author’s words in quotations

Steps to Completing a Summary Read through piece carefully Read piece again and again, until you have

main ideas Look at the title, subtitle, and headings (if

any) Write an outline with controlling idea and

main points (in the same order as the article)

Write your summary from the outline Use the present tense

Details—exclude these

Authorities cited or quoted Research findings, data Examples (brief or extended) Literary devices (eg metaphors,

imagery)

Summary

You have the rest of the class No electronic dictionaries English-English paper dictionaries

permitted Write double-spaced Write in pen

Summary: How it will be marked Structure Content Sentence-level