This chapter discusses writing sentences correctly by learning about subjects, predicates, sentence structure, and common errors like fragments and run-on sentences. It provides goals, key vocabulary, and lessons on identifying sentence parts and correcting issues. Practice activities are included to help the reader identify sentence types and punctuation and fix errors.

1. Writing Sentences Chapter 1

2. Writing Sentences Composition is the act of writing. This lessons will help you become a better writer. Learning to write is a series of steps. First you learn the basic writing skills. Then you build on these skills. Chapter 1 will get you started in composition the right way. You will learn how to write sentences correctly. The sentence is the basic building block for writers.

3. Goals for Learning To find the beginning and ending of an idea To understand the four purposes of sentences To find the subject and predicate in a sentence To recognize and correct sentence fragments To recognize and correct run-on sentences

4. Reading Strategy: Summarizing To summarize means to state a main idea briefly. You can ask questions to help you summarize what you read. As you read this chapter, ask yourself: What is this chapter about?

5. Key Vocabulary Words Sentence: a group of words that expresses a complete thought Declarative sentence: a sentence that states a fact Interrogative sentence: a sentence that asks a question Imperative sentence: a sentence that gives a command or makes a request Exclamatory sentence: a sentence that expresses strong feelings

6. Key Vocabulary Words Simple sentence: a sentence with one subject and one predicate Subject: the part of a sentence that names the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about Noun: a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea Pronoun: a word that replaces a noun in a sentence Predicate: the part of a sentence that tells something about the subject; the predicate always contains a verb

7. Key Vocabulary Words Verb: a word that expresses action or state of being; the main part of a predicate Tense: the time expressed by a verb Phrase: two or more words that work together Verb phrase: a main verb and one or more helping verbs Sentence fragment: a group of words that does not express a complete thought; a part of a sentence

8. Key Vocabulary Words Run-on sentence: two or more ideas written as one sentence without correct punctuation or a conjunction Conjunction: a word that connects related words or groups or words Comma fault: the use of a comma instead of end punctuation to separate two sentences Compound sentence: two or more related ideas that are connected with a conjunction

9. Beginning and Ending a Sentence Lesson 1-1

10. Objectives To write a complete sentence To move words around in a sentence without changing the meaning

11. Beginning and Ending a Sentence As a writer and a speaker, you have ideas to share. You express each idea with a group of words called a sentence. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. There are two important rules for writing sentences.

12. Beginning and Ending a Sentence Rule 1 Use a capital letter to begin the first word of a sentence. A capital letter is the uppercase form of a letter. It tells the reader where a new idea begins. Rule 2 End each sentence with an end punctuation mark. The mark tells the reader where a complete idea ends. Use a period, a question mark, or an exclamation mark to end a sentence. The period is the most common end punctuation mark. Never end a sentence with a comma

13. Beginning and Ending a Sentence Example 1 Incorrect my friend Derek plays soccer Correct My friend Derek plays soccer. Get in the habit of reading your sentences aloud. You can hear where each idea begins and ends.

14. Practice A Find three sentences in this group of words. Add capital letters and end punctuation marks. Write the sentences on your paper. in his junior year, Derek Anderson met Amber Choy and Sonia Moreno they liked him the three friends decided to work on fitness together

15. Practice B Find five sentences in this group of words. Write them on your paper. Use capital letters and end punctuation marks. in the past, Derek was a shy person he spent a lot of time alone then he met Amber and Sonia they were friendly the girls and Derek quickly became friends

16. Word Order When you write, think about the word order in each sentence. Sometimes you can move the words around without changing the meaning of the sentence. Read the three example sentences. Notice that they all begin differently. Notice that they all have the same meaning. Example 2 The weather usually improves by noon. Usually, the weather improves by noon. By noon the weather usually improves.

17. Practice C Find a word in each sentence that you can move to the beginning. Rewrite each sentence on your paper. Capitalize the first word in each sentence. Derek and Brandon go to the lake often. It is too cold for camping now. They decided to hike instead. The boys walked eagerly for three hours. Hikers sometimes see deer in the woods.

18. Understanding the Purpose of a Sentence Lesson 1-2

19. Objectives To identify the purpose of a sentence To choose the correct end punctuation for a sentence

20. Understanding the Purpose of a Sentence There are four main reasons for writing a sentence. A declarative sentence gives information. It states a fact and ends with a period. A declarative sentence is also called a statement. Example 1 Derek enjoys sport. Annapolis is the capital of Maryland. My friend saved a seat for me in class.

21. Understanding the Purpose of a Sentence An interrogative sentence asks a question. It ends with a question mark. Example 2 Are you going to the movies? Where is Denver?

22. Understanding the Purpose of a Sentence An imperative sentence is a command or request. It tells someone to do something. It ends with a period. Example 3 Eat this sandwich if you are hungry. (command) Please register to vote. (request)

23. Understanding the Purpose of a Sentence An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feelings. It ends with an exclamation mark. Any kind of sentence can express strong feelings. The person who writes the sentence decides. Example 4 I am so hungry! (statement) Vote today! (command) What are you doing! (question)

24. Practice A Read the following conversation between Derek Anderson and Amber Choy. Write the purpose of each sentence on your paper. Choose from these four purposes: To make a statement To ask a question To give a command or make a request To express strong feeling Amber: What do you think of Mr. Lamar’s music class? Derek: I like the old recordings. Amber: Wow, tell me more! Derek: I wish I could have heard Louis Armstrong. Amber: Wasn’t he a jazz musician?

25. Practice B Read the conversation between Amber Choy and Sonia Moreno. The end punctuation marks are missing. Identify the purpose of each sentence. Then write the end punctuation mark that matches this purpose. Sonia: Are you as hungry as I am Amber: I’m starving Sonia: Is it lunchtime yet Amber: Look at your watch Sonia: It’s only ten o’clock

26. Punctuation: Questions and Answers Always put a question mark at the end of a question. An answer to a question is a statement. Use a period at the end of an answer. Study the punctuation in Example 5. Example 5 Question When did Abraham Lincoln become president of the United States? Answer Abraham Lincoln became president in 1861. Question Who invented the light bulb? Answer Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.

27. Practice C Read the sentences. Find the mistakes. Write each sentence correctly on your paper. have you ever eaten a mango? No, I haven’t? What is a mango. A mango is a tropical fruit? it is sweet and juicy.

28. Practice D Think of five questions that you might use to interview a famous person. Write them on your paper. Start each sentence with a capital letter. End each sentence with the correct punctuation mark.

29. Punctuation: Exclamations Think about the sentences in Example 6. The words are the same, but the sentence with the exclamation mark expresses a stronger feeling. Use an exclamation mark only when you want to express extra emotion. Example 6 Statement It is very late. Exclamation It is very late! Command Write to me. Exclamation Write to me!

30. Practice E Decide whether each sentence should end with a period or an exclamation mark. Choose an exclamation mark if the sentence shows strong feeling. Is the sentence does not show strong feeling, choose a period. Write the end punctuation mark on your paper. Amber is learning to drive She took a lesson from her father One lesson was enough Oh, watch out You’re going too fast

31. Finding the Subject and Predicate Lesson 1-3

32. Objectives To identify subjects and predicates in a sentence To find verbs or verb phrases in a sentence

33. Finding the Subject and Predicate A simple sentence has two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. Every sentence needs a subject. In Example 1, the subject of each sentence is in red. Example 1 The store opens at 6:00 a.m. Joel and his cousin have been working there. He bags groceries. She puts groceries on the shelves.

34. Finding the Subject and Predicate The subject is either a noun or pronoun. A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. In the last two sentences in Example 1, the subject is a pronoun. He bags groceries. She puts groceries on the shelves

35. Finding the Subject and Predicate Every sentence also needs a predicate. The predicate tells something about the subject. A predicate always has a verb. A verb is a word that expresses action or state of being. In Example 2, each predicate is in red. The verb is underlined. Example 2 The store opens at 6:00 a.m. Joel and his cousin have been working there. He bags groceries. She puts groceries on the shelves. In most sentences, the subject comes before the predicate.

36. Practice A Write each sentence on your paper. Underline the subject of the sentence once. Underline the predicate twice. Then circle the verb. Sonia Moreno plays the violin. She enjoys the orchestra at school. The orchestra practices four days a week. Her mother bought her a violin. Sonia memorizes many pieces of music.

37. Imperative Sentences An imperative sentence does not have a subject. The subject “you” is understood. When you give a command, the subject of the sentence is the person your are talking to. Example 3 (You) Please fill up the tank. (You) Fix my car.

38. Practice B Write each sentence on your paper. Underline the subject once. Underline the predicate twice. Circle the verb. If the subject “you” is understood, write that word on your paper. Derek has a job at a gas station. He likes his boss. The people come into the station all day. Fill up the tank. Derek enjoys the work.

39. Verbs and Tenses The verb in a sentence tells what the subject did or will do. The verb also expresses tense. Tense means time. The verb tells you when the action happened or will happen. Past, present, and future are examples of tenses.

40. Verbs and Tenses A phrase is two or more words that work together. When a verb is more than one word, you call it a verb phrase. A verb phrase is the main verb and one or more helping verbs. To form the future tense, you use the helping verb will. The future tense of a verb is always a verb phrase. Example 4 Present Tense Brandon studies Spanish now. Past Tense Brandon studied Spanish last year. Future Tense He will study Spanish next year also.

41. Practice C Find the verb or verb phrase in each sentence. Write the verb or verb phrase on your paper. Write the tense beside it. The tense will be present, past, or future. Yesterday Brandon called his friend Derek. They will meet after school. Both of them study Spanish. They do their homework together. Afterwards the two friends will watch TV.

42. Correcting Sentence Fragments Lesson 1-4

43. Objectives To identify a sentence fragment To correct a sentence fragment

44. Correcting Sentence Fragments You have learned that a sentence has a subject and a predicate. A sentence also must express a complete thought. A group of words that does not express a complete thought is called a sentence fragment.

45. Sentence vs. Fragments The fragment in Example 1 begins with a capital letter and ends with a period. It looks like a sentence, but it does not express a complete idea. What was added to make the fragment a sentence? Example 1 Fragment The team from Valley View. Sentence The team from Valley View is strong.

46. Practice A Decide whether each group of words is a sentence or a fragment. Write sentence or fragment on your paper. Running laps around the track after school. Most of the other members of the track team. A challenging race. Anyone can enjoy running. You should learn to stretch first.

47. Practice B Make the sentence fragments in Practice A into sentences. Add words to make each group of words express a complete idea. Then underline the words you added.

48. Sentence vs. Fragments A sentence fragment leaves the reader asking what the subject is or what happened. Compare the fragment in Example 2 with the sentence below it. Example 2 Fragment In the van. Sentence Everyone rode in the van.

49. Practice C Decide whether each group of words is a sentence or a fragment. If it is a sentence, write sentence on your paper. If it is a fragment, add words to make it a sentence. Write the new sentence on your paper. Decided to stay home. With luck and hard work. Talk on the telephone. From Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto. Derek went to his first soccer tournament.

50. Fragments in Speech Speakers often use sentence fragments to answer questions. The person who asks the questions usually understands the fragment answer. In Example 3, compare the fragment answer with the sentence answer. Example 3 Question Which book did you like best? Fragment Answer The novel. Sentence Answer The novel was my favorite book.

51. Practice D Answer each question with a sentence. Write the sentence on your paper. Each answer should make sense to a reader who does not know what the question is. What is your full name? How old are you? What school do you attend? What is the name of the town or city where you live? What is your favorite TV program?

52. Correcting Run-On Sentences Lesson 1-5

53. Objectives To identify and correct a run-on sentence To use a conjunction to connect related words, phrases, and sentences To recognize and correct a comma fault

54. Correcting Run-On Sentences A run-on sentence has two or more ideas incorrectly written as one sentence. A run-on sentence often combines two or more sentences with no punctuation between them. Example 1 Run-On Derek and Brandon like soccer they play as often as they can. Correct Derek and Brandon like soccer. They play as often as they can.

55. Dividing a Run-On Sentence The easiest way to correct a run-on sentence is to divide it into separate sentences. Review these rules: Rule 1 Capitalize the first word in a sentence. Rule 2 End a sentence with the correct punctuation mark. Periods, question marks, and exclamation marks are all punctuation marks. Rule 3 Do not end a sentence with a comma.

56. Practice A Fix each run-on sentence by dividing it into two sentences. Capitalize the first word. Use correct end punctuation. Write the new sentences on your paper. Do you have an extra soccer ball mine is lost. Meet me at the field we can play for an hour. Derek and Brandon practice for several days they tried our for the school team. Brandon is a fast runner he hopes to make the team. Derek agreed with him he hopes to be chosen also.

57. Dividing a Run-On Sentence Another kind of run-on sentence happens when you connect unrelated sentences with a conjunction. A conjunction is a word that connects related words or groups of words. Common conjunctions are and, or and but. Example 2 Run-On Friday’s rehearsal was Amber’s best and she will probably win an award for her performance and we can’t wait to hear her sing at the talent show. Correct Friday’s rehearsal was Amber’s best! She will probably win an award for her performance. We can’t wait to hear her sing at the talent show.

58. Practice B Read the paragraph. Decide where each complete idea begins and ends. Find four sentences and write them and write them on your paper. Take out unnecessary conjunctions. Sometimes a song can have a strong effect on a listener and my eyes always fill up with tears when I hear “You Light Up My Life” and it is so powerful and listening to it makes me want to write a powerful song, too.