2. transition word phrase look it up in the dictionary! If you don't know what a transition word or phrase actually means or what it's purpose is, look it up in the dictionary!

3. subject and predicate complete thought same on other side of the sentence separated by a commacomma splice. Incorrect:, Correct:, and If you have a sentence with a subject and predicate and a complete thought and the same on other side of the sentence separated by a comma, this is called a comma splice. The sentence is incorrectly punctuated. Incorrect: Mrs. Johnson walks to the park, she talks about her pugs on the way. Correct: Mrs. Johnson walks to the park, and she talks about her pugs on the way. Correct: Mrs. Johnson walks talks Correct: Mrs. Johnson walks to the park and talks about her pugs on the way. Comma Splice

4. subject and predicate on one side only just a predicate on the other side compound predicate compound predicate Mrs. Johnson walks talks If a sentence has a subject and predicate on one side but only just a predicate on the other side, it DOES NOT need a comma before the conjunction (FANBOY). This is a compound predicate. A compound predicate tell us two things about the subject. Mrs. Johnson walks to the park and talks about her pugs on the way.

5. COMPOUND each side ; Semicolons are used in a COMPOUND sentence where there is an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE/COMPLETE THOUGHT on each side of the semi-colon. She was sick of school; she had “checked out” even before Memorial Day. ;

6. thingsguysstuff Informal or very general words in an answer choice (like things, guys, stuff) will NOT be the correct choice.

7. Make sure subject and verb agree: The girls dance. The girl dances. If one is PLURAL, the other is SINGULAR!

8. imagery detaildescriptive words phrases When asked about questions regarding imagery and detail, look for answers that contain descriptive words and phrases.

9. Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Mrs. Johnson was hungry, so she went to the grocery store to buy some food. Antecedent Pronoun

10. LOOK THE WORDS UP IN THE DICTIONARY Any questions that ask to change the spelling of a word, LOOK THE WORDS UP IN THE DICTIONARY to see which is the correct spelling!

11. PART OF SPEECH Remember, adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Any questions that ask to change from one word to another, think about which PART OF SPEECH the words are to determine which one should be used. Then, ask yourself what this word is modifying in the sentence (noun/pronoun or verb/adjective/adverb). Remember, adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, and adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. intentional ---------------------  intentionally adjectiveadverb

12. apostrophesshow possession contractions Remember that apostrophes are used to show possession and contractions. It’s its It’s = it is its = belonging to it It’s the beginning of the school year, and I am keeping up with my work. The flower lost its petals because the wind was very strong.

13. choose the correct verb tense Make sure to choose the correct verb tense by reading the sentences around the sentence the question refers to.

14. THAN and THEN comparing Time transition eventuallyfinally Transitions like eventually and finally mark the last thing stated in a paragraph.

15. When using the terms like “Mom” or “Dad” – ask yourself if they could be replaced with another name. If so, use a capital letter. Replace “Mom” with another name: Sara my mom I ate too many cookies and Mom was angry. Replace “Mom” with another name: I ate too many cookies and Sara was angry. When saying “my mom,” you don’t need to capitalize.

16. LOOK THE WORDS UP IN THE DICTIONARY! If you’re not sure about the spelling of a homonym (words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings), LOOK THE WORDS UP IN THE DICTIONARY! Examples there – their here – hear where - wear

17. “A lot” and “a little” are TWO WORDS!

18. INSIDE Punctuation marks generally go INSIDE the quotation marks. For the STAAR test, they will always need to go inside. "I don't care," she said. "What do you think?“ look for MISSING quotation marks Also, look for MISSING quotation marks.

19. Proper nouns need to be capitalized. Examples: Proper nouns need to be capitalized. A proper noun is a name used for a specific individual person, place, or organization, spelled with initial capital letters, Examples: Larry, Mexico, and Boston Red Sox.