English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the subject and predicate in a given sentence.
Define the characteristics of a complete sentence.
Recognize the features that define a run-on sentence.
Distinguish between complete sentences and run-on sentences.
Apply at least three strategies to correct run-on sentences.
Explain the importance of clear sentence structure in argumentative writing and citing evidence.
Ever read something that just goes on and on without a pause, making it hard to understand? 😵💫 It can be confusing, right?
In this lesson, you'll learn how to tell if a group of words is a complete thought or a jumbled run-on. Mastering this skill will make your argumentative essays, evidence citations, and all your writing much clearer and more powerful.
Real-World Applic...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SentenceA group of words that expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and a predicate.The cat slept.
SubjectThe noun or pronoun that the sentence is about; it performs the action or is described.In 'The dog barked loudly,' 'The dog' is the subject.
PredicateThe part of the sentence that tells what the subject does or is; it always includes the verb.In 'The dog barked loudly,' 'barked loudly' is the predicate.
Complete SentenceA sentence that has a subject, a predicate, and expresses a complete thought that can stand alone.Birds sing beautiful songs.
Run-on SentenceTwo or more complete sentences (independent clauses) that are incorrectly joined together without proper punctuation or a coordinating conjunction.The bel...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Complete Sentence Checklist
A group of words is a complete sentence if it has: 1. A subject. 2. A predicate (verb). 3. It expresses a complete thought.
Use this checklist to quickly determine if a sentence is complete and can stand on its own. If any item is missing, it's likely a fragment, not a complete sentence.
Identifying a Run-on Sentence
A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined without proper punctuation (a period, a semicolon, or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction).
Look for two separate complete thoughts that are 'smashed' together or only separated by a comma (this is called a comma splice, a type of run-on).
Fixing Run-on Sentences
Run-on sentences can be corrected by: 1. Sep...
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Challenging
A student wrote: 'The research supports my claim, the data is very clear.' According to the 'Common Pitfalls', what is the specific error, and why is it a problem in argumentative writing?
A.It's a fragment; it weakens the argument by being an incomplete thought.
B.It's a comma splice; it incorrectly connects two strong pieces of evidence, making the argument confusing.
C.It's a simple sentence; it is not sophisticated enough for an argumentative essay.
D.It's a correctly punctuated sentence; it clearly presents two facts.
Challenging
In an argumentative essay, why is it important to use complete sentences instead of run-ons when citing evidence?
A.Run-on sentences make the essay longer, which is always better.
B.Run-on sentences make the author sound more intelligent and creative.
C.Complete sentences create clear, logical links between your ideas and the evidence, which makes your argument more convincing.
D.Complete sentences are not important as long as the evidence is good.
Challenging
A student is editing their essay and finds this sentence: 'The main character is brave, she stands up to the villain.' The student knows this is a run-on. Which correction method would be best to emphasize the close relationship between the two ideas?
A.The main character is brave. She stands up to the villain.
B.The main character is brave; she stands up to the villain.
C.The main character is brave, also she stands up to the villain.
D.The main character is brave, and, she stands up to the villain.
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Is it a complete sentence or a run-on? is a Grade 6 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
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Is it a complete sentence or a run-on?
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This lesson includes 49 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.