In-Depth Notes for Sentence Structures and Diction

Understanding Sentence Types

  • Important Sentence Types Reviewed:

    • Simple Sentence

    • Compound Sentence

    • Complex Sentence

    • Combo Sentence

    • These are correct forms to construct sentences effectively.

  • Common Sentence Errors:

    • Run-on sentences: Incorrectly linked independent clauses.

    • Fragment sentences: Incomplete thoughts lacking essential components.

Incorrect Sentence Structures

  • Run-on Sentences:

    • Defined as errors when two independent clauses are joined incorrectly.

    • Not necessarily long; can be short, e.g., "Valdin was sent a package, he missed the delivery."

    • Incorrect linking examples:

    • Using only a comma: “The weather is hot, I want to go inside.”

    • No punctuation: “The weather is hot I want to go inside.”

  • Fragment Sentences:

    • Missing essential components such as a subject or verb.

    • Examples include:

    • Dependent clauses without an independent clause: "While I'm thinking of a way…"

    • Phrases without a complete idea: "At the depot on Victoria Street West."

Correct Sentence Linking

  • Joining Independent Clauses Correctly:

    • Coordinating conjunctions

    • Subordinating conjunctions

    • Semicolon example: “I hope I don’t have to go to Penrose; I don’t have a car.”

    • Em-dash example: “I hope I don’t have to go to Penrose — I don’t have a car.”

    • Full stop example: “I hope I don’t have to go to Penrose. I don’t have a car.”

Understanding Diction

  • Definition of Diction:

    • Refers to the choice of words an author employs to convey ideas effectively.

    • Influences the tone and style of the writing; reflects intended audience and purpose.

  • Parts of Speech Overview:

    • Noun: Names a person, place, or thing.

    • Adjective: Describes a noun.

    • Adverb: Modifies a verb/adjective/other adverb.

    • Verb: Indicates an action or state of being.

Correct Analysis of Sentences

  • Identifying Parts of Speech:

    • Example sentence: "I painstakingly enter the twelve-digit reference code."

    • Enter: Verb (action)

    • Painstakingly: Adverb (describes how)

    • Code: Noun (a thing)

    • Reference: Adjective (describing the noun)

Common Errors in Writing

  • Overusing a Thesaurus:

    • Be cautious of substituting simple words for complex ones unnecessarily, which can make writing awkward.

    • Aim for clarity over complexity.

Quiz Preparation

  • Key Exam Points:

    • Definitions of fragment sentence and run-on sentence.

    • Identification and correction of incorrect sentence types.

    • Proper ways to join independent clauses.

    • Classifying words as nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.