INTRODUCTION TO THE GRAMMAR Common Errors, Commas, and the Infinitive

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ERRORS FROM THE PERSUASIVE ESSAYS? Pick a side of the issue, and stick with it. Many essays either failed to take a position, or changed position from start to finish. Don’t use you in your essay. This is for two reasons: it is easy to fall into a much more informal tone when you is used; by using you, you make assumptions about your audience and don’t fully explain or prove your point Have three clear pieces of points/evidence (one for each body paragraph) that support your position, and be sure you create a clear connection between your points and your thesis statement. Spell out any numbers under 100 in your writing.

DON’T FORGET THE INTRO AND CONCLUSION Remember to introduce your topic before taking a position DO NOT say “I agree with prompt three.” Assume your audience has no idea what you are writing about before they start reading your essay Your intro is your roadmap—based on the intro, I should know: Your topic Your position Your main points that support your position Don’t forget grammar. Major issues include: Subject-verb agreement Adverbs Split Infinitives Misused or missing punctuation (especially commas and semi-colons)

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT Basic idea: Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs So, what’s causing the issues?

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody, each are always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs. Some of these are followed by prepositional phrases ending in a plural that confuses the writer Each of the cars is new. Some indefinite pronouns — such as all, some — are singular or plural depending on what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?) Be careful choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns. Some of the beads are missing. Some of the water is gone.

MODIFYING PHRASES Phrases such as together with, as well as, and along with are not the same as and. The phrase introduced by as well as or along with will modify the earlier word (mayor in this case), but it does not compound the subjects (as the word and would do). The mayor as well as his brothers is going to prison. The mayor and his brothers are going to jail.

ADVERBS Adverbs modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs often tell when, where, why, or under what conditions something happens or happened A handful of adverbs have two forms, one that ends in -ly and one that doesn't. In certain cases, the two forms have different meanings: He arrived late. Lately, he couldn't seem to be on time for anything. In most cases, however, the form without the -ly ending should be reserved for casual situations (this means that I shouldn’t see this form in your schoolwork): She certainly drives slow in that old Buick of hers.

IDENTIFY THE ADVERB IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. The boy calmly took his test. 2. The team eagerly awaited their next opponent. 3. The player politely asked the official a question. 4. The teams shook hands sincerely after the game. 5. The girl clumsily walked to her seat. 6. The boy walked dangerously close to the edge. 7. I barely finished my test on time.

WRITE A SENTENCE USING EACH OF THESE ADVERBS 8. abnormally- 9. gratefully fondly- 11. joyfully-

INFINITIVES What is an infinitive? To + verb = infinitive An infinitive will almost always begin with to followed by the simple form of the verb, like this:verb to eat To sleep To smile

BUT WE HEAR THAT ALL THE TIME! Split infinitives are used all the time in informal speech and writing. And that’s fine! Just be aware of your audience, and craft your writing appropriately (a major essay is never an informal occasion)

CORRECT THE FOLLOWING: 1.I was told to always keep a good look out. 2.She said I had to quickly finish my homework. 3.I really want to fully understand this concept. 4.She was impatient to finally leave home. 5.He decided to completely re-write his essay. 6.The bandits wanted to suddenly strike. 7.The teacher wanted to talk quietly. 8.She decided to quietly slip away from the dreadful party.