English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons
Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify sentence fragments and run-on sentences, especially those containing comparative or superlative adjectives.
Use periods correctly to separate complete thoughts and eliminate fragments or run-ons.
Use commas and coordinating conjunctions to combine independent clauses and fix run-on sentences.
Use semicolons to join closely related independent clauses, particularly when making comparisons.
Revise sentence fragments that involve comparative or superlative adjectives into complete sentences.
Revise run-on sentences that involve comparative or superlative adjectives using appropriate punctuation.
Apply correct punctuation to improve clarity and precision in their argumentative writing, especially when comparing ideas or evidence.
Ever tried to tell...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Sentence FragmentA sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. It's missing a subject, a verb, or doesn't express a complete thought, even if it contains a comparative adjective.More interesting than the last movie.
Run-on SentenceA run-on sentence combines two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) without proper punctuation or a coordinating conjunction.The blue car is faster the red car is slower.
Independent ClauseAn independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.The tallest building stood proudly.
Comparative AdjectiveAn adjective used to compare two nouns or pronouns. It often ends in '-er' (e.g., taller, faster) or uses 'more' o...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Fixing Fragments with Periods
To fix a fragment, add the missing subject or verb, or combine it with a nearby independent clause. Always end a complete sentence with a period.
Use this when a group of words doesn't express a complete thought. Make sure your comparative statement has a subject and a verb.
Fixing Run-ons with Periods
Separate two independent clauses into two distinct sentences by placing a period at the end of the first clause and capitalizing the first word of the second clause.
This is the simplest way to fix a run-on. Use it when the two clauses are related but don't need a stronger connection.
Fixing Run-ons with Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions
Join two independent clauses with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)....
5 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
In an argumentative essay claiming that dogs are better pets than cats, which sentence most effectively uses punctuation and comparative adjectives to present evidence?
A.Dogs are more trainable than cats they are also more affectionate.
B.Dogs are more trainable than cats. And more affectionate.
C.Dogs are more trainable than cats; furthermore, they are generally more affectionate.
D.Dogs are more trainable, than cats, and they are also more affectionate.
Challenging
A student wrote: 'The evidence from the article is stronger. Although the evidence from the video was more emotionally powerful.' How should this be revised for clarity and correctness?
A.The evidence from the article is stronger, although the evidence from the video was more emotionally powerful.
B.The evidence from the article is stronger; although the evidence from the video was more emotionally powerful.
C.The evidence from the article is stronger although the evidence from the video was more emotionally powerful.
D.The evidence from the article is stronger. The evidence from the video was more emotionally powerful.
Challenging
Which option correctly revises the entire paragraph? 'The first source was the most credible. It had more facts. The second source was less reliable it used opinions. Making my argument stronger.'
A.The first source was the most credible, it had more facts. The second source was less reliable, it used opinions, making my argument stronger.
B.The first source was the most credible because it had more facts. The second source was less reliable; it used opinions. These points make my argument stronger.
C.The first source was the most credible. It had more facts, the second source was less reliable, it used opinions. Making my argument stronger.
D.The first source, which was the most credible, had more facts, the second source was less reliable because it used opinions, making my argument stronger.
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