Assignment Instructions

The following exercises are to be completed in one Word® document which you will submit after completing the Study Session 2 Assignment. Please make sure you complete both portions of this lesson's assignment before submitting your work.

Study Session 1 Assignment

1. For each of the following types of errors in sentence construction, write two improper sentences that illustrate the error at work. Then rewrite each sentence to illustrate how the error may be corrected.

a. sentence fragment
b. comma splice
c. rambling sentence
d. run-on sentence

1. Each of the following sentences has a problem which interferes with sentence clarity. For each sentence, first identify the type of problem that exists and briefly explain how that problem creates lack of sentence clarity. Then, rewrite the sentence so that the problem is corrected and the sentence gains clarity.

a. Roberta is kinder to snakes than anyone in her family.
b. Walking through the forest with our backpacks, the bear suddenly appeared.
c. Here is an affordable car for people with high performance characteristics.
d. We drove our new car to New Mexico, camped in the desert, and shopped in Santa Fe, which was a novel experience for us.
e. When Dad and Russell returned home, he told us about their trip.
f. Covered with ketchup, the girl went to the counter for her cheeseburger.
g. All cars have a transmission, an alternator, and a driveshaft, and you should understand it thoroughly.
h. Linda was arguing with Monica, and she looked unhappy.
i. We held a meeting to plan a massive invasion in the office.
j. Alice walks slower down the street than anyone in town.

Study Session 2 Assignment

1. In a brief paragraph for each, explain the four types of nonstandard language usage (colloquialism, double negative, construction shifts, and nonparallel construction). Then, purposely misusing language, compose three sentences to illustrate each.

1. Using each of the techniques for combining sentences discussed in this lesson, combine the following pairs of short, choppy sentences into one expanded, smoother sentence construction.

a. Bill is a senior. Bill will succeed in his new venture.
b. The neighbors were noisy. Suzanne could not get her rest.
c. Jack and Sam enjoy tennis. They told me why.
d. Mrs. Winters is a gossip. A neighbor told me that.
e. Everybody wanted to raise funds. Only a few people volunteered.
f. We feed our dog tuna. Tuna is our dog’s favorite food.
g. You are forty pounds overweight. You should go on a diet.
h. Wally runs four miles daily. It makes him feel vigorous.
i. The snow fell heavily. Our driveway was soon covered with snow.
j. You should catch the next train. The next train will keep you from being late to your meeting.
k. The new mayor sounded quite upset. He told reporters why.
l. Montana has a vast mining industry. Montana is one of the largest states.
m. The taxi will wait for them for a long time. They are still not there.
n. We are going on a cruise. Do you know where?
o. He had very much. He most of all had time.

1. Compose a 250-word essay recounting an important experience in your life. Avoid short, choppy sentences by using the sentence combining techniques presented in this lesson. Also, be sure your composition is free of common sentence construction errors and nonstandard language, topics also discussed in this lesson.