IMPROVING WRITING WITH COMMAS, CLAUSES, AND CONJUNCTIONS

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IMPROVING WRITING WITH COMMAS, CLAUSES, AND
CONJUNCTIONS
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Objectives

• I can use coordinating and subordinating
  conjunctions in my writing.
• I can use commas correctly on my writing.

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CCSS

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1 Demonstrate command of
  the conventions of standard English grammar and
  usage when writing or speaking.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.2 Demonstrate command of
  the conventions of standard English
  capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when
  writing.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.2a Use punctuation (comma,
  ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.4 Produce clear and
  coherent writing in which the development,
  organization, and style are appropriate to task,
  purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific
  expectations for writing types are defined in
  standards 13 above.)
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.10 Write routinely over
  extended time frames (time for research,
  reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames
  (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of
  discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and
  audiences.

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What do these words have in common?

• And, after, before, since, but, although, how,
  than, or, as, if, though, yet, because, once,
  until

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Independent Clauses

• Playing guitar is a form of leisure for me.
• The hail storm affected our travel plans.
• We need to analyze the results from our last
  Language Arts test.

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Coordinating Conjunctions
EXAMPLES

• The giant and the troll gossiped about
  Rumpelstiltskin.
• The giant likes to eat honey and vinegar
  sandwiches.
• The elf ran home, for he had forgotten the map to
  the treasure.
• Jack took the cow to town, and he sold it for
  five beans.

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Don't forget the comma!

• The seven coordinating conjunctions used as
  connecting words at the beginning of an
  independent clause are for, and, nor, but, or,
  yet, so.
• When the second independent clause in a sentence
  begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma
  is needed before the coordinating conjunction

Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry
quiz, but it was hard to concentrate due to the
noise.
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These are your coordinating conjunctions For And
Nor But Or Yet So
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Rocky, my orange tomcat, loves having his head
scratched but hates getting his claws
trimmed. Rocky terrorizes the poodles next door
yet adores the German shepherd across the
street. Rocky refuses to eat dry cat food, nor
will he touch a saucer of squid stew. I hate to
waste a single drop of squid stew, for it is
expensive and time-consuming to make.
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Now, you try...

1. She had a lot of friends. She was a friendly
   girl.
2. I had a cute puppy. I lost him.
3. I dont want to argue with you. I dont want to
   give in.

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FANBOYS POSTER

• Create your own FANBOYS poster.
• All markers, crayons, etc. must be packed up
  before leaving.
• All trash should be kept off the floor.

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PART II SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
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Subordinate Clauses

• After Amy sneezed all over the tuna salad
• Once Adam smashed the spider
• Until Mr. Sanchez has his first cup of coffee

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Subordinating Conjunctions

• So that she could analyze the results of the
  test, Mrs. Manley went over the answers with the
  students.
• Although reading is my favorite leisure activity,
  I also enjoy riding my bicycle.

EXAMPLES
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Common Subordinating Conjunctions
after although as as if as long as as
though because before even if even though
if if only in order that now that once rather
than since so that than that
though till unless until when whenever where where
as wherever while
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Mentor Sentence

• If there was an Olympic event for ____________,
  ______________ would sweep the event.
• If there was an Olympic event for talking, Shelly
  Stalls would sweep the event.

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AAAWWUBBIS!!! ...the most used subordinating
conjunctions

• After, Although, As
• When, While
• Until
• Because, Before
• If
• Since

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What did you notice in those lyrics?

• Now, it's your turn to write some lyrics. Write
  10 of your own "If I had a million dollars,"
  lyrics.
• Make sure to follow it with a comma!

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Let's Share!

• If I had a million dollars, I would by myself a
  new car.
• If I had a million dollars, I would pay off my
  student loans.
• If I had a million dollars, I would make a large
  charitable donation.