1. Punctuation saves lives!

2. What’s wrong with these sentences? Most people now make resolutions but then drop it shortly because they either cannot do it or they just don’t want to do it. My goals to achieve is to ask more questions when I don’t understand, clean up after myself, and to train harder in lacrosse.

3. Most people now make resolutions but then drop them shortly because they either cannot do them or they just don’t want to do them. My goals to achieve are to ask more questions when I don’t understand, clean up after myself, and to train harder in lacrosse. Make sure your subjects and verbs agree. This is called “Subject and Verb Agreement.” Check your own writing; do your subjects and verbs agree? Look at every sentence carefully.

4. What’s wrong with these sentences? My New Year’s resolutions are to be a better sister get to classes on time and complete all of my homework in a timely manner. Starting to study for tests earlier, cleaning up my room more often and getting more sleep are my three New Year’s resolutions. I am going to: take neater notes; feed the dog when asked; be kinder to my little sister for my New Year’s resolutions.

5. You need to use commas when listing even before the “and.” My New Year’s resolutions are to be a better sister, get to classes on time, and complete all of my homework in a timely manner. Starting to study for tests earlier, cleaning up my room more often, and getting more sleep are my three New Year’s resolutions. I am going to take neater notes, feed the dog when asked, and be kinder to my little sister for my New Year’s resolutions. Check your own writing; do you need to add any commas? Look at every sentence carefully.

6. Fragment or Sentence? Running the hallways, trying to get to class on time. For example, keeping in shape, eating less junk food, being a better pet owner, or getting more sleep? Finally, something to be proud of! Or not even try like most of the people in the United States. Although you have to be up for the task of fulfilling your goals, which many people attempt every day but only a few out of those many people stick with it and succeed.

7. To see if your sentences are fragments, ask the following question before each sentence: It is true that... Running the hallways, trying to get to class on time. Pet ownership really something to work towards. Finally, something to be proud of! Or not even try like most of the people in the United States. Although you have to be up for the task of fulfilling your goals, which many people attempt every day but only a few out of those many people stick with it and succeed. Using that question, confirm that you DO NOT have any fragments in your Body Paragraph. Look at every single sentence. Check them off as you go.

8. Sentences SHOULD NOT begin with coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (F.A.N.B.O.Y.S) Original: But I will be focused and follow through with my goals. Revised: I will be focused, however, and follow through with my goals. Original: So it’s important to exercise everyday. Revised: It’s important, therefore, to exercise everyday. What did I add in the revised sentences?

9. F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. join sentences; they do not begin them. Check your own writing. Revise all sentences that start with a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. Check your own writing. Use F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. to avoid run-ons. Make sure you put a comma in front of each F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. Example: Reading everyday will increase my vocabulary, and I will also become a more efficient reader.

10. Tonight, use what we learned today, and make any corrections in your Body Paragraph. I will collect them tomorrow. Staple the revision on the top. Remember to highlight and label the D.R.A.P.E.S. (You will be submitting three pages of work. Since I am giving you extra time, I expect excellence!)

11. Do not rush through proofreading. You must slow down so you see the errors.