1. Final Exam Grammar & Writing Skills Overview

2. Grammar and Writing Conventions Assessed on Final Exam
Comma Usage
Colons and Semi-colons
Pronoun Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun Usage
Parallel Structure
Subject-Verb Agreement
Thesis Statements
MLA Format (Citations and Quotations)
Purpose
Modes of Writing (narrative, persuasive, informative)
Analysis vs. Plot Summary

3. Clauses and Phrases
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and verb.
She is hungry.
Matt ran fast.
A phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb component, used as a single part of speech.
Best friend (phrase acts as a noun)
In the river (prepositional phrase)

4. Independent & Dependent Clauses
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.
Sophia studied for her English exam all night.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.
Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Although Dan studied for his English exam all night…

5. Comma Usage: Quick Rules
Commas separate structural elements of a sentence into manageable pieces.
Quick Rules For Commas: (Pertaining to sentences)
Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. (FANBOYS)
Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.
Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.
Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion.
Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

6. Comma Usage: Compound & Complex Sentences
Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
Jon frightened the little girl, and she ran off screaming.
Complex Sentence: A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
After Johnson added up all the sales, he discovered that the lemonade stand was 32 cents short.
Complex-Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Brian is widely regarded as the most opinionated student in class, and because he is so vocal, Brian always participates in complex class discussions.

7. Colons and Semi-colons
Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.
Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town; streets have become covered with bulldozers, trucks, and cones.
Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.
Use a semicolon to join elements of a series when individual items of the series already include commas.
Colon
Use a colon to join 2 independent clauses when you wish to emphasize the second clause.
Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town: parts of Main, Fifth, and West Street are closed during the construction.
Use a colon after an independent clause when it is followed by a list, a quotation, appositive, or other idea directly related to the independent clause.
Alexa went to the store for some groceries: milk, bread, coffee, and cheese.

8. Parallel Structure
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level.
With the -ing form (gerund) of words:
Jack likes sleeping, drawing, and talking.
With infinitive phrases:
Jack likes to sleep, to draw, and to talk in class. OR
Jack likes to sleep, draw, and talk in class.

9. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Because a pronoun refers to a noun (antecedent) or takes the place of that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands which noun your pronoun is referring to.
Pronouns must:
Agree in Person
If writing in first person do not switch to second or third person pronouns and confuse the reader.
When a person comes to class, he or she should have his or her homework ready.
(INCORRECT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready.)
Agree in Number
If a pronoun is taking the place of a singular noun it must be singular. Likewise for plural nouns.
If a student parks a car on campus, he or she has to buy a parking sticker.
Be Specific
Avoid being vague and ambiguous with the pronoun and which noun it may refer to.
VAGUE: Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged.