hosted by justin paul van wely lecture 3: re-training your grammar ear welcome again to sat 301 ! an...
TRANSCRIPT
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.