Two types of sentence structure errors are possible in sentence with only one clause: 1 the clause can be missing a subject or a verb, and 2 the clause can be introduced by a subordinate
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SKILL 6: CONNECT THE SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS IN THE ESSAY
To make your essay as clear as possible, you should show as clearly as you can how the ideas
in the supporting paragraphs in your essay are related This can be accomplished (1) with transition expressions such as the first, the most important, or a final way, or (2) with transition sentences that include the idea of the previous paragraph and the idea of the current para- graph It is best to use a combination of these two types of transitions The following exam- ple shows how transitions can be used to show the relationships among the supporting paragraphs in an essay
ESSAY OUTLINE
(introduction) characteristics of a good class
(supporting paragraph 1) ~—® an organized teacher
(supporting paragraph 2) — ® interesting lectures
(supporting paragraph 3) = ® clear and reasonable assignments
TRANSITIONS
(to introduce SP1) One important characteristic of a good class is an organized teacher
(to introduce SP2) In addition to having a teacher who 1s organized, a good class must
also have a teacher who gives interesting lectures
(to introduce SP3) A final characteristic of a good class is that the assignments are clear
and reasonable
The first supporting paragraph is introduced with the transition One important characteristic
to show that this is the first of the characteristics of a good class that you are going to dis- cuss in your essay The second supporting paragraph is introduced with a transition sen- tence that shows how this paragraph is related to the previous paragraph; it includes a reference to the first supporting paragraph a teacher who is organized and a reference to the second supporting paragraph a teacher who gives interesting lectures The third supporting paragraph is introduced with the transition expression A final charactenstic to show that this
is the last of the three characteristics of a good class
The following chart outlines the important information to remember about connect- ing the supporting paragraphs of your essay:
WELL-CONNECTED SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS
| The supporting paragraphs of an essay can be connected with transition
expressions or with transition sentences
2 It is best to use a combination of these two types of transitions
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EXERCISE 6: For each outline of an essay, write sentences to introduce each of the sup-
porting paragraphs You should use a combination of transition expressions and transi- tions sentences
1 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
2 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
3 INTRO:
SP]:
SP2:
SP3:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
4 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SP4:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SP4:
courses I’ve enjoyed the most sociology
philosophy psychology
One course | have enjoyed is sociology
Even more than sociology, | have really enjoyed philosophy
Of all the courses, the one that | have enjoyed the most is psychology
places in the United States that I would like to see
e the Grand Canyon
e Niagara Falls
® the Petrified Forest
best type of part-time job while in school one that pays a lot
one that is related to my future career one that has flexible hours
the world’s most important priorities feeding the hungry
taking care of the environment
finding cures for diseases
ending war and violence
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498 WRITING
5 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
6 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
7 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SP1:
SP2:
SP3:
8 INTRO:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SP4:
SPI:
SP2:
SP3:
SP4:
assignments I most dislike
writing long research papers
working on group assignments giving speeches
advantages of learning to cook saving money
preparing exactly what you want being able to cook for family and friends
what my parents taught me
to be honest with myself
to make the most of what I have
to strive for more than I think I can do
overused excuses for tardiness
“T overslept.”
“My alarm clock broke.”
“My car wouldn’t start.”
“The bus was late.”
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AFTERWRITING
SkiLt 7; EDIT SENTENCE STRUCTURE
7A Simple Sentence Structure
A simple sentence is a sentence that has only one clause! Two types of sentence structure
errors are possible in sentence with only one clause: (1) the clause can be missing a subject
or a verb, and (2) the clause can be introduced by a subordinate clause connector
The first type of incorrect simple sentence is a sentence that is missing a subject or a
verb (Note that an asterisk is used to indicate that the sentence contains an error.)
Every day is necessary to sign in and sign out.*
VERB His recommendation about the project.*
The first sentence is incorrect because it has the verb is but is missing a subject The second
sentence is incorrect because it has the subject recommendation but is missing a verb
A sentence structure with both a subject and a verb is not always correct If the one
clause in the sentence includes both a subject and a verb but is introduced by a subordi-
nate clause connector, then the sentence is also incomplete
When the storm with thunder and lightning will leave the area.*
How the driver of the car managed to avoid an accident.*
SUBJECT VERB
The first sentence includes both the subject storm and the verb will leave, but this sentence
is not correct because it is introduced by the subordinate clause connector When The sec- ond sentence includes both the subject drver and the verb managed, but this sentence is
not correct because it is introduced by the subordinate clause connector How
The following chart outlines what you should remember about editing simple sen-
tences:
SIMPLE SENTENCES
1 A simple sentence is a sentence with one clause
2 A simple sentence must have both a subject and a verb
3 A-simple sentence may not be introduced by a subordinate clause
connector
'A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb Simple sentences with only one main clause are
covered in great detail in Skills 1-5 of the Structure section on pages 200-209.
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EXERCISE 7A: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice Put boxes around the sub-
ordinate clause connectors Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I)
_! 1 The vague meaning of the underlined expression
— 2 When you finally found out the whole truth
— 3 His reaction to the film was priceless
——— 4 Usually leaves quite early in the morning
—— 5 An Indication to everyone of the Importance of the project
— 6 Surprisingly, no one has collected the prize
—— 7 Why the committee met for so long
—— 8 Absolutely cannot submit the forms today
— 9 The refusal of the Judge to accept the petiton
— 10 The idea shocked me
—— 11 Since each of the participants was fully trained
— 12 Ina moment of anguish forgot about his promise
— 13 A discussion by all interested parties has been scheduled
— l4 A situation needing a considerable amount of attention
— 15 Only that the books were overdue at the library
— 16 The dean finally decided
— 17 To put off the announcement for one more day
—— 18._ If the outcome had been better
— 19 Actually, the results have not yet been posted
—— 20 + What the other students were able to do.
Trang 67B Compound Sentence Structure
A compound sentence is a sentence that has more than one main clause” The main clauses
in a compound sentence can be connected correctly with either a coordinate conjunction
(and, but, so, or, yet) and a comma or with a semi-colon (;)
Tom drove too fast He got a ticket for speeding
Tom drove too fast, so he got a ticket for speeding
Tom drove too fast; he got a ticket for speeding
In the first example, the two main clauses Tom drove too fastand He got a ticket for speeding are not connected into a compound sentence In the second example, the two main clauses are combined into a compound sentence with the coordinate conjunction so and a comma In the third example, the same two clauses are combined into a compound sen- tence with a semi-colon
It is possible to use adverb transitions in compound sentences It is important to note
that adverb transitions are not conjunctions, so either a semi-colon or a coordinate con-
junction with a-;comma is needed
Tom drove too fast As a result, he got a ticket for speeding
Tom drove too fast, and he got a ticket for speeding as a result
Tom drove too fast; as a result, he got a ticket for speeding
In the first example, the two main clauses Tom drove too fast and he got a ticket for speeding are not combined into a compound sentence even though the adverb transition As a result
is used In the second example, the two main clauses are combined into a compound sen- tence with the coordinate conjunction and and a comma; the adverb transition as a result is included at the end of the compound sentence In the third example, the same two main clauses are combined into a compound sentence with a semi-colon, and the adverb transi- tion is set off from the second main clause with a comma
The following chart lists some commonly used adverb transitions:
ADVERB TRANSITIONS
2A main clause is an independent clause that has both a subject and a verb It is not introduced by a subordi- nate connector Compound sentences are covered in Skill 6 of the Structure section on pages 209-211
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EXERCISE 7B: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in the main clauses Put boxes around the punctuation, transitions, and connectors that join the main clauses
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (J)
_! 1 The researcher completed the study, the results were quite surprising
The meeting did not take place today, so it will have to be rescheduled
I expected the exam to be on Tuesday, however it was on Monday instead
The department’s sales were very high; as a result, the manager has been given a
bonus
We finished the last details and then we submitted the final report
The employees often come late to work, but this does not seem to be a problem
The team won its last three games Next, it will compete in the championship tournament
The light bulb in the lamp has burned out I need to replace the bulb
The manager is hiring some more employees, then we will not have to work so much The textbook chapter was quite long, yet I finished it by 10:00
You must turn in the paper by Friday, otherwise your grade will be lowered
The decision has not yet been made Therefore, we must wait to learn the final
outcome
Afterwards construction on the highway was completed, traffic moved more smoothly
This course requires a lot of work; in contrast, the other course required very little
Our flight is scheduled to board soon, we must head over to the gate now
The building has a tower; the tower is on the north side of the building
We have to see the professor now, or we will have to wait until next week
I have worked hard for several months; finally, I will be able to rest
The bookstore is open for another hour we should go there right now
It has been raining steadily for days, consequently, the streets are flooded.
Trang 87C Complex Sentence Structure
A complex sentence is a sentence that has at least one main clause and one subordinate
clause3 Noun, adjective, and adverb clauses are all types of subordinate clauses Each of
these sentences is a complex sentence because it contains a subordinate clause:
They do not understand (what I said)
NOUN CLAUSE
The professor (who wrote the book) is giving the lectures
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
Final grades will be available (after the semester ends)
ADVERB CLAUSE
The first complex sentence contains the subordinate noun clause what I said The second
complex sentence contains the subordinate adjective clause who wrote the book The final
complex sentence contains the subordinate adverb clause after the semester ends
A variety of errors with complex sentence structures can occur in student writing, but
the following two errors occur with great frequency: (1) repeated subjects after adjective
clauses, and (2) repeated subjects after noun clauses as subjects
The movie (that we saw last night) it* was really funny
S ADJECTIVE CLAUSE S ov
(What she told me yesterday) it* was quite confusing
NOUN CLAUSE - S S ov
The first sentence is incorrect because it contains an extra subject The correct subject
movie comes before the adjective clause that we saw last night, and an extra subject it comes
after the adjective clause To correct this sentence, you should omit the extra subject 2zé
The second sentence is also-incorrect because it contains an extra subject The noun
clause What she told me yesterday is a subject, and this noun clause subject is followed by an
extra subject z¢ To correct this sentence, you should omit the extra subject 7
The following chart outlines what you should remember about editing complex sen-
tences:
COMPLEX SENTENCES
| When a subject comes before an adjective clause, do not add an extra subject after the adjective clause
2 When a noun clause is used as a subject, do not add an extra subject
after the noun clause
5A subordinate clause is a dependent clause It has both a subject and a verb and is introduced by a subordinate
connector Complex sentences with subordinate noun, adverb, and adjective clauses are covered in great detail
in Skills 7-12 of the Structure section on pages 211-226
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EXERCISE 7C: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in the main clauses Put parentheses around the subordinate noun and adjective clauses Then indicate if the sen-
tences are correct (C) or incorrect (1)
_ Ì_ 1 The tickets (that I ordered) they will be delivered tomorrow
How I will be able to get all this work done is unclear
The excuse that you gave me was not very credible
What the lecturer said it was really quite amusing
The place where we agreed to meet it was quite secluded
The person whose friendship I cherish most is a friend from my childhood
Who is responsible for the accident it is unknown
That the story is on the front page of the paper it is indisputable
The contractor who painted the house he did a very careful job
Why she was the one who got the job is a mystery to me
What happened just before our arrival it is unknown
The clothes that we purchased at the sale were quite a good bargain
The room in which the seminar will be held is rather tiny
What will happen to her next it is what concerns me the most
The receptionist who regularly answers the phone is out of the office
What the manager wrote in the report it was highly complimentary
The classmate who presented the report he did a great job
How such a thing could happen is not clear to me
The situation in which I found myself was one in which all of the facts are not known Why he has done what I told him not to do with the money that I gave him it is not
certain.
Trang 10EXERCISE 7 (A-C): Find and correct the sentence structure errors in the following essay
(The number in parentheses at the end of each paragraph indicates the number of errors
in that paragraph.) The essay discusses the following topic
1
Some people prefer to take vacations in quiet, natural places, while others prefer to spend their vacation time in big cities Discuss the advantages of each type of vacation Then indicate which you prefer and why
What you need to do before going on a vacation it is to decide where you will go
on your vacation You may decide to go to a quiet place with a quiet and natural
setting, instead you may decide to go to a big city with a fast-paced life Each of
these types of vacation something to offer (3 errors)
The reasons that it can be a good idea to go to a quiet and natural location for
a vacation they are numerous First of all, a vacation in a natural setting allowing
you to relax and slow down the pace of your life for a while Instead of hurrying from
place to place as you are used to doing You can spend your time doing nothing
more than enjoying the beauty of the location Then, after are thoroughly relaxed,
what you can do it is to take part in outdoor activities such as hiking or swimming
All of this will leave you completely relaxed and free of stress by the end of your
vacation (5 errors)
It can be nice to go to a quiet and natural spot for a vacation, however it can
also be quite an adventure to go to a big and fast-paced city for a vacation The
main reason that it can be a good idea to take a vacation in a big city it is to take
part in 0 many activities that are unavailable in your hometown On a big city
vacation, numerous cultural events that might not be available in your hometown,
such as theatrical performances, concerts, and art and museum exhibits, they are
available On a big city vacation, will also have access to some of the worla’s finest
restaurants and shopping After your big city vacation has ended You will have a
whole range of new experiences that are not part of your daily life (5 errors)
For me, the type of vacation that | decide to take it depends on my life prior to
the vacation | work ag a legal assistant in a law office, this job is often repetitious
and dull but is sometimes quite frantic just prior to a major case After a slow and
boring period of work All| want is to head to a fast-paced vacation in a big city
However, if my job been frantic and busy prior to my vacation, then want to head to
a quiet and beautiful place where | can relax Thus, | enjoy different types of
vacations, the type of vacation depends on the pace of my life before the vacation
(6 errors)