Josh Walmer, Mike Ye, Tabitha Schade Period: 9 BWE #1 – Sentence Fragments

Overview of “the rule” Definition of a sentence fragment: a group of words punctuated like a complete sentence but lacking the necessary structure The sentence is incomplete because it either lacks a subject or a predicate, or it is a dependent clause To fix these sentence fragments, you either add a subject or predicate, or attach an independent clause to the dependent clause

Part of “the rule” - Curing Sentence Fragments with Dashes and Colons Dashes – Can replace periods Offers a way of attaching a phrase or dependent clause to a sentence without having to construct another independent clause Not widely preferred because they suddenly interrupt the sentence flow Colons – Can be followed by a phrase, a list, or a clause Must be preceded by an independent clause Like the dash, it abruptly halts the flow of the sentence Slightly more formal than the dash

Example Sentence #1 – No predicate (verb) Sentence Fragment Possible Correction A novel with extensive characterization and symbolism. The Catcher in the Rye, a popular novel among teenagers, portrayed extensive characterization and symbolism.

Example Sentence #2 – No subject Sentence FragmentPossible Correction As he sleepily stumbled through the front door, Jim took off his shoes. And collapsed on the couch. As he sleepily stumbled through the front door, Jim took off his shoes, and collapsed on the couch. ***The key to spotting a sentence fragment is taking the sentence out of context to determine whether or not it contains all the necessary parts.

Example Sentence #3 – Dependent Clause Sentence Fragment Possible Correction Because my neighbor was playing loud music. I could not fall asleep. I could not fall asleep because my neighbor was playing loud music. ***Dependent clauses do contain a subject and verb, but lack a complete thought. Therefore, they depend on another statement. Subordinating conjunctions help complete a sentence smoothly.

Interactive Quiz Can you really spot and fix sentence fragments?

Rules: 1. You will be given a sentence 2. Read the sentence and choose the letter (A, B, C, or D) which provides the missing link to make it a complete sentence Remember there are three types of sentence fragments: oNO PREDICATE oNO SUBJECT oDEPENDENT CLAUSE *****HINT: NOT ALL ARE SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Sentence #1 A record of accomplishment beginning when you first started high school.

Sentence #1 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Independent clause D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence A record of accomplishment beginning when you first started high school.

Sentence #1 Answer Correct Answer: B) Verb

Possible Correction to Sentence #1 I have noticed a record of accomplishment beginning when you first started high school.

Sentence #2 Bill watched a documentary concerning the possibility of a World War III.

Sentence #2 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Independent clause D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence Bill watched a documentary concerning the possibility of a World War III.

Sentence #2 Answer Correct Answer: D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence

Sentence #3 Since I like fishing.

Sentence #3 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Independent clause D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence Since I like fishing.

Sentence #3 Answer Correct Answer: C) Independent clause

Possible Correction to Sentence #3 I am going to the lake since I like fishing.

Sentence #4 Underneath my bed.

Sentence #4 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Both A and B D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence Underneath my bed.

Sentence #4 Answer Correct Answer: C) Both A and B

Possible Correction to Sentence #4 I found my textbook from fifth grade underneath my bed.

Sentence #5 Whenever my dad goes on a business trip.

Sentence #5 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Independent clause D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence Whenever my dad goes on a business trip.

Sentence #5 Answer Correct Answer: C) Independent clause

Possible Correction to Sentence#5 Whenever my dad goes on a business trip, he always returns with souvenirs.

Sentence #6 Mary Lou ran a 3.5 mile course, and placed sixth out of four hundred total runners.

Sentence #6 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Independent clause D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence Mary Lou ran a 3.5 mile course, and placed sixth out of four hundred total runners.

Sentence #6 Answer Correct Answer: D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence

Sentence #7 Jumping into the frigid waters of the Atlantic.

Sentence #7 What does the sentence need to be complete? A) Subject B) Verb C) Independent clause D) Nothing, it’s already a complete sentence Jumping into the frigid waters of the Atlantic.

Sentence #7 Answer Correct Answer: A) Subject

Possible Correction to Sentence #7 Jumping into the frigid waters of the Atlantic, the couple considered relocating to a warmer destination.

THE END - We hope you enjoyed this presentation on sentence fragments!!