Comma Drama Based on a true story

A Punctuation Production by Ms. Brown

Presentation Outline and Objectives

Topics of discussion:

1. Film roles and punctuation roles

2. Defining a comma splice

3. Identifying a comma splice

4. Correcting a comma splice

5. Identifying a run-on

6. Correcting a run-on

7. Errors to avoid with run-ons and comma splices

By the end of this presentation, you will:

1. Identify a comma splice or run-on

2. Correct a comma splice and run-on

Terms to Know

Subject: a person (who) or thing (what) being discussed, described, or dealt with in the sentence

Predicate: everything after the subject, which includes the verb(s) and phrase(s)

Complete sentence: an independent clause with at least 1 subject and 1 predicate, which stands on its own

What is an actor’s role in a film?

HEROES VILLAIN

The hero comma:

Rachael Ray finds inspiration in

cooking, her family, and her dog.

What is a comma’s role in a sentence?

What is a comma’s role in a sentence?

How does a comma become a villain?

Definition of a comma splice:

A comma splice is an error that occurs when a comma joins two complete sentences (compound sentences).

What is a comma splice?

Comma splice error: Complete sentences:

Guillermo del Toro directed Pacific Rim,

Subject: Guillermo del Toro

Predicate: directed Pacific Rim

it premiers this Friday.

Subject: it

Predicate: premiers this Friday

Guillermo del Toro directed Pacific Rim, it premiers this Friday.

How do you identify a comma splice?

Comma splice error: Note the punctuation:

We have a comma joining 2 complete sentences.

We have 2 complete sentences but only one period to complete both thoughts.

Guillermo del Toro directed Pacific Rim, it premiers this Friday.

How do you identify a comma splice?

What’s the difference between a comma splice and a run-on?

Definition of a run-on:

A run-on is an error that occurs when two complete sentences (a compound sentence) are fused together without any punctuation at all unlike the comma splice error, which uses the wrong punctuation mark to join two complete sentences.

What is a run-on?

Run-on error:

Complete sentences without proper punctuation:

Guillermo del Toro directed Pacific Rim

Subject: Guillermo del Toro

Predicate: directed Pacific Rim

it premiers this Friday.

Subject: it

Predicate: premiers this Friday

Guillermo del Toro directed Pacific Rim it premiers this Friday.

How do you identify a run-on?

Who’s a hero?

You are!

We heroes to correct these errors!

Videos

Bedford St. Martin’s

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewritingplus/mapk/Tutorial/tutorial.html

Riverside College

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rNYZVvyGS4

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewritingplus/mapk/Tutorial/tutorial.htmlhttp://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewritingplus/mapk/Tutorial/tutorial.htmlhttp://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewritingplus/mapk/Tutorial/tutorial.htmlhttp://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/rewritingplus/mapk/Tutorial/tutorial.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rNYZVvyGS4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rNYZVvyGS4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rNYZVvyGS4

You’re the star!

Anyone can correct a comma splice using 1 of the 3 following methods:

1. Add an appropriate coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) behind the comma.

2. Replace the comma with a semicolon when the complete sentences are closely related.

3. Replace the comma with a period and capitalize the first letter of the first word in the next sentence.

You’re the star!

Anyone can correct a run-on error using 1 of the 4 following methods:

1. Add an appropriate coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) behind the comma.

2. Add a semicolon between two complete sentences closely related.

3. Add a semicolon, adverbial (HOTSHOTCAT), and a comma between the sentences.

4. Add a period and capitalize the first letter of the first word in the next sentence.

Take 1

The sequel to Captain America comes out next month, I can’t wait to see it.

The comma is not strong

enough to hold the weight of two complete sentences. What should you add to correct this error?

Method 1

How do you correct a comma splice?

Take 1

The sequel to Captain America comes out next month, I can’t wait to see it.

The comma is not strong

enough to hold the weight of two complete sentences. What should you add to correct this error?

Method 1

The sequel to Captain America comes out next month, and I can’t wait to see it.

Add a coordinating

conjunction (FANBOYS) behind the comma to create a compound sentence.

How do you correct a comma splice?

Take 2

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.”

Forrest Gump

How will you correct this

comma splice error in this movie quote using a semicolon?

Method 2

How do you correct a comma splice?

Take 2

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.”

Forrest Gump

How will you correct this

comma splice error in this movie quote using a semicolon?

Method 2

How do you correct a comma splice?

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get.”

Forrest Gump

Replace the comma with a

semicolon. Remember, you do not need a FANBOYS when using a semicolon.

Take 3

“Patterns emerge when you graph these numbers therefore there are patterns everywhere in nature.”

Pi

How will you correct this run-on error in this movie quote using a semicolon, adverbial (HOTSHOTCAT), and comma?

Method 3

How do you correct a run-on error?

“Patterns emerge when you graph these numbers; therefore, there are patterns everywhere in nature.”

Pi

Add a semicolon before the adverbial therefore and add a comma afterward.

A comma splice is an error that occurs when a comma joins complete sentences.

We can identify a comma splice by examining subject(s) and predicate(s) to isolate complete sentences. We can also identify a comma splice by noting the punctuation used in the sentences.

A comma splice can be corrected by:

1. , + FANBOYS

2. ;

3. . + Capital letter for the first word in the second sentence

Review

A run-on is an error that occurs when no punctuation is used between two complete sentences.

A comma splice can be corrected by:

1. , + FANBOYS

2. ;

3. ; + HOTSHOTCAT + ,

4. . + Capital letter for the first word in the second sentence

Review

Errors to Avoid

Horror movies give me the chills and I love being scared.

Missing a comma before and

CORRECTION:

Horror movies give me the chills, and I love being scared.

Errors to Avoid

My favorite movie is An Office and a Gentleman; and The Notebook is just as romantic.

Improper use of a semicolon

CORRECTION:

My favorite movie is An Office and a Gentleman; in addition, The Notebook is just as romantic.

Errors to Avoid

My favorite movie is An Office and a Gentleman; and The Notebook is just as romantic.

Improper use of a semicolon

CORRECTION:

My favorite movie is An Office and a Gentleman; The Notebook is just as romantic.

Rehearsal

You are now the star and director of your own comma drama production!

Grab a movie quote!

Instructions for rehearsal:

Step #1. Each movie quote is a comma splice or run-on. Read it.

Step #2. Review your handout.

Step #3. Correct the movie quote on your own sheet of paper.

Step #4. Find a co-star and discuss your corrections.

You have 4 minutes!

Rehearsal

Are you ready to play the hero’s role?

Write your corrected movie quote on the whiteboard and read it aloud for your co-stars!

Casting call: lights, camera, action!

Bravo!

You all deserve applause. Take a bow!

Directed by: Ms. Brown

Staring: You--every single student in this room!

Producer: Los Angeles Harbor College

Executive Producer: Communications Division