Hosted by Justin Paul Van WelyLecture 3: Re-training Your Grammar Ear

WELCOME AGAIN TO SAT 301 !

An organized

approach to

scoring higher

and gaining

acceptance to

your top-

choice

colleges.

The 6-Tiered Approach to achieving success on

the SAT:01 – get to know the test √02 – learn B.T.S. (basic test-taking strategy) √ 03 – learn format-specific methodology04 – learn the content05 – learn advanced strategy06 – gain consistency through practice

Let’s start the day off with…

…A PUZZLE!!!! (P.O.D. #2) (2 questions)

Question 1: Can you fix the following sentence?

The boy folding the pieces of the paper and sliding it into the left pocket of his faded blue jeans.

Question 2: Can you completely map the newly-fixed sentence?

Prowess’s SAT Writing and Language Test method:

Ex. The transportation planner’s job, might involve conducting a traffic count to determine the daily number of vehicles traveling on the road to the new factory.

1. Read the passage until the underlined portion, letting your grammar ear guide you.

2. Circle the issue (if present); then eliminate NO CHANGE.

3. ID the common error.

4. Select best fit and read it back in. If you still like it, make it FINAL

Ok, we have an approach. Now, what will

be tested?Expression of Ideas

Standard English Convention

0Adding, deleting, and revising info

0Graph-supported response

0Placement0Logical transitions0Word choice0Wordiness/awkward

phrasing0Tone/style0Combining sentences

0Punctuation0Run-ons0Fragments0Parallelism0Misplaced modifiers0Tense errors0Parallel pronouns0Ambiguous pronouns0Homonyms0Agreement0Faulty comparisons

Let’s start with Standard English Convention and something many of us

struggle with every time we write.Expression of Ideas

Standard English Convention

0Punctuation0End-of-sentence0Commas0 Semicolons0Colons0Dashes0Apostrohes

Up first, end-of-sentence punctuation

0Closers:

1. Periods, question marks, and exclamation points:

Well…it won’t be that easy!

Ex. The teacher asked Bob if he remembered to bring his books to class today?

A. Be sure the tone is appropriateB. Is the sentence declarative or interrogative?

Up first, end-of-sentence punctuation

0Closers:

1. Periods, question marks, and exclamation points:

Well…it won’t be that easy!

Ex. The teacher asked Bob if he remembered to bring his books to class today.

A. Be sure the tone is appropriateB. Is the sentence declarative or interrogative?

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

2. Commas

Ex. Bob remembered to take out the trash; he forgot however to wash the dishes.

A. Listen for pauses B. Separates nonessentials (modifiers,

appositives, etc.)C. Separates items in a listD. Separates independent clauses using a

FANBOYS conjunction

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

2. Commas

Ex. Bob remembered to take out the trash; he forgot, however, to wash the dishes.

A. Listen for pauses B. Separates nonessentials (modifiers,

appositives, etc.)C. Separates items in a listD. Separates independent clauses using a

FANBOYS conjunction

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

3. Semicolons

Ex. Bob remembered to take out the trash, however, he forgot to wash the dishes.

A. Listen for pauses – like a period but shorterB. Schematic: Complete sentence; complete

sentenceC. Separates items in a list when items use

commas

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

3. Semicolons

Ex. Bob remembered to take out the trash; however, he forgot to wash the dishes.

A. Listen for pauses – like a period but shorterB. Schematic: Complete sentence; complete

sentenceC. Separates items in a list when items use

commas

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

4. Colons

Ex. When packing for tomorrow’s field trip, be sure to bring: hiking boots, a change of clothes, a bag lunch, and your permission

slip.

A. Colons introduceB. Schematic: Complete sentence: introduced

items

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

4. Colons

Ex. When packing for tomorrow’s field trip, be sure to bring the following items: hiking boots, a change of clothes, a bag lunch, and

your permission slip.

A. Colons introduceB. Schematic: Complete sentence:

introduced items

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

5. Dashes

Ex. In the clanging acoustics of the room, this sound—a kind of veech echoed around grandly.

A. Writer wanted to add somethingB. An interruptionC. Schematic: first half of complete sentence—

additional info—second half of complete sentence

Next, mid-sentence punctuation

0Commas, semicolons, colons, dashes:

5. Dashes

Ex. In the clanging acoustics of the room, this sound—a kind of veech—echoed around grandly.

A. Writer wanted to add somethingB. An interruptionC. Schematic: first half of complete sentence—

additional info—second half of complete sentence

Finally, mid-word punctuation

0Possession vs. contraction:

6. Apostrophes

Ex1. The dogs bones are buried in the yard.

Ex2. The dogs owners house’s are in need of repair.

A. Contraction trumps possession (it’s vs. its)B. Ownership needs apostrophe (the day’s end)C. Rule: Whatever comes before the apostrophe

is what is in possession

Finally, mid-word punctuation

0Possession vs. contraction:

6. Apostrophes

Ex1. The dog’s bones are buried in the yard.

Ex2. The dogs’ owners’ houses are in need of repair.

A. Contraction trumps possession (it’s vs. its)B. Ownership needs apostrophe (the day’s end)C. Rule: Whatever comes before the apostrophe

is what is in possession

Ok, we have an approach. Now, what will

be tested?Expression of Ideas

Standard English Convention

0Punctuation √0Run-ons

0Comma splice0 Fused sentences

Run-ons are really about punctuation

0Run-on sentences:

7. Comma splice

Ex. These days, many students majoring in philosophy have no intention of becoming

philosophers, rather they plan to apply those skills to other disciplines.

A. Schematic: RO = Complete, complete.B. One easy fix is to replace with a

semicolon.

Run-ons are really about punctuation

0Run-on sentences:

7. Comma splice

Ex. These days, many students majoring in philosophy have no intention of becoming

philosophers; rather, they plan to apply those skills to other disciplines.

A. Schematic: RO = Complete, complete.B. One easy fix is to replace with a

semicolon.

Run-ons are really about punctuation

0Run-on sentences:

8. Fused sentences

Ex. the film maker used a host of special effects to create the added suspense she used close ups and quick cuts.

A. Just like comma splice but without the comma

Run-ons are really about punctuation

0Run-on sentences:

8. Fused sentences

Ex. the film maker used a host of special effects to create the added suspense: she used close ups and quick cuts.

A. Just like comma splice but without the comma

Ok, we have an approach. Now, what will

be tested?Expression of Ideas

Standard English Convention

0Punctuation √0Run-ons √0Fragments

Fragments leave you wanting more

0Fragmented sentences:

9. Fragments

Ex. Since most colleges agree that either test is acceptable, which gives students an additional option when it comes time to decide which to

take.

A. Schematic: missing one or more…S + V + CB. Be mindful of “that” and “which” to extend

subjectsC. Cancel modifiers to see if the rest works

Fragments leave you wanting more

0Fragmented sentences:

9. Fragments

Ex. Since most colleges agree that either test is acceptable, this gives students an additional option when it comes time to decide which to

take.

A. Schematic: missing one or more…S + V + CB. Be mindful of “that” and “which” to extend

subjectsC. Cancel modifiers to see if the rest works

Ok, we have an approach. Now, what will

be tested?Expression of Ideas

Standard English Convention

0Punctuation √0Run-ons √0Fragments √0Parallelism

How a good list should flow like music

0Parallel structure errors:

10. Parallelism

Ex. In addition to taking several practice tests, you will need to complete homework

assignments, participate in class, and coming prepared is of utmost importance.

A. Schematic: listed items must be in similar form

How a good list should flow like music

0Parallel structure errors:

10. Parallelism

Ex. In addition to taking several practice tests, you will need to complete homework

assignments, participate in class, and , most importantly, come prepared.

A. Schematic: listed items must be in similar form

Ok, we have an approach. Now, what will

be tested?Expression of Ideas

Standard English Convention

0Punctuation √0Run-ons √0Fragments √0Parallelism √0Misplaced

Modifiers

Don’t just place that modifier anywhere.

0Modifier errors:

11. Misplaced modifier

Ex. Rushing to the scene, the injured man was helped by the medical team.

A. Schematic: modifier, subject being modified OR subject being modified, modifier

B. B.O.L.O for modifying phrases with an underlined portion coming after the comma

Don’t just place that modifier anywhere.

0Modifier errors:

11. Misplaced modifier

Ex. Rushing to the scene, the medical team helped the injured man.

A. Schematic: modifier, subject being modified OR subject being modified, modifier

B. B.O.L.O for modifying phrases with an underlined portion coming after the comma

Your Journal:Like a growth chart meets design planning

Keep track of your performance- Record your times- Write down your scores- See how close you are to your goals

Identify where you are making mistakes- Write down questions you miss (#, concept, or

whole ?)- Figure out why you missed it- Fix it – have a plan of attack that will help you get

that question type right next time.