IMPROVING WRITING WITH IMPROVING WRITING WITH COMMAS, CLAUSES, AND COMMAS, CLAUSES, AND

CONJUNCTIONSCONJUNCTIONS

Objectives

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

• I can use commas correctly on my writing.

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 1–3 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.

What do these words have in common?

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

What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins words or groups of words.

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.

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a

complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Coordinating Conjunctions

• 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.

Some conjunctions, called coordinating conjunctions, link words or independent

clauses.EXAMPLES

:

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.

Remember FANBOYS!

These are your coordinating conjunctions:

ForAndNorButOrYetSo

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.

Now, you try...

Combine the sentences with coordinating conjunctions. Use FANBOYS. Use a different

conjunction for each sentence.

1.She had a lot of friends. She was a friendly girl.

2. I had a cute puppy. I lost him.3. I don’t want to argue with you. I

don’t want to give in.

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.

PART II: SUBORDINATING PART II: SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSCONJUNCTIONS

Subordinate ClausesSubordinate Clauses, also known as Dependent Clauses cannot stand by themselves and make good sense. They must be combined with an

independent clause so that they become part of a sentence that can stand by itself.

•After Amy sneezed all over the tuna salad

•Once Adam smashed the spider

•Until Mr. Sanchez has his first cup of coffee

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.

Other conjunctions are called subordinating conjunctions; they introduce

clauses.

EXAMPLES:

When introducing a clause, always follow it with a comma!

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

afteralthough

asas if

as long asas thoughbecausebeforeeven ifeven

though

ifif only

in order that

now thatonce

rather thansince

so thatthanthat

thoughtill

unlessuntilwhen

whenever

wherewherea

swherev

erwhile

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.

AAAWWUBBIS!!! ...the most used subordinating

conjunctions

• After, Although, As

• When, While

• Until

• Because, Before

• If

• Since

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!

AAAWWUBBIS!!!

Comma after the clause!

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.

Make sure to say, "COMMA."