MITS Unit 4 Lesson

Unit
Four

Mechanics Instruction

That Works (MITS)

Simple Warm Ups to Improve Student Writing

By Doug Stark

Unit Four

Unit 4- Avoiding Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is a group of words that is not a

complete sentence. Sometimes, writers will intentionally

use fragments in a piece of literature. However, in most

formal compositions, we want to avoid unintended

sentence fragments.

Common Causes of Sentence Fragments

1. Missing subject or verb

FRAGMENT: The guard near the entrance.

• What is the guard doing? (no verb)

FRAGMENT: Changed into new clothes.

• Who changed into new clothes? (no subject)

2. Dependent clause (AAAWWUBBIS) left alone

FRAGMENT: Because I really enjoy football.

CORRECT: Because I really enjoy football, I’m going to purchase Lions’
season tickets.

Common Causes Cont.

3. PHRASE left alone
FRAGMENT: Stranded in the middle of a darkening forest. Laura desperately searched for civilization.

CORRECT: Stranded in the middle of a darkening forest, Laura desperately searched for civilization.

FRAGMENT: Hoping that his mother would soon arrive.

CORRECT: Hoping that his mother would soon arrive, Steve fiddled and paced impatiently.

FRAGMENT: Mark slipped away. Leaving his empty cereal bowl on the table.

CORRECT: Mark slipped away, leaving his empty cereal bowl on the table.

Common Causes Cont.

4. Generally, try to avoid beginning a sentence with “And, Which, But, Or, Such as...” unless you're doing it KNOWINGLY and with a PURPOSE.

FRAGMENT: Steve graciously stopped and waited for Leeann. Which impressed her mother greatly.

CORRECT: Steve graciously stopped and waited for Leeann, which impressed her mother greatly.

FRAGMENT: Many problems infest our cities. Such as crime, a crumbling infrastructure, home foreclosures, and poor public services.

CORRECT: Many problems infest our cities, such as crime, a crumbling
infrastructure, home foreclosures, and poor public services.

4.1

Activating Background

Knowledge: Choose the

letter beside each

fragment identifying the

BEST description of the

cause.

Multiple Choice

Shifted into higher gear.

• Dependent clause left alone

• Missing a subject

• Generally, don't start a sentence with "And, Which, Such as..."

• Phrase left alone

Multiple Choice

Many problems infest our cities. Such as crime,
a crumbling infrastructure, home foreclosures, and
poor public services.

• Dependent clause left alone

• Missing a subject

• Generally, don't start a sentence with "And, Which, Such as..."

• Phrase left alone

Multiple Choice

Stranded in the middle of a darkening forest.
Laura desperately searched for civilization.

• Dependent clause left alone

• Missing a subject

• Generally, don't start a sentence with "And, Which, Such as..."

• Phrase left alone

Multiple Choice

Because I enjoy football. I am going to
purchase Lions' season tickets.

• Dependent clause left alone

• Missing a subject

• Generally, don't start a sentence with "And, Which, Such as..."

• Phrase left alone

Multiple Choice

In the following word groups, choose the edit that corrects the sentence fragment.

Screaming at the top of his lungs while driving in his dad’s
car. Joe blew past a stop sign.

• Screaming at the top of his lungs while driving in his dad’s car, Joe blew past a stop sign.

• Joe blew past a stop sign. Screaming at the top of his lungs while driving in his dad’s car.

• Screaming at the top of his lungs while driving in his dad’s car. Joe blew past a stop sign.

Use commas to set off an interrupting word or phrase.

Sent, interrupter, ence.

Multiple Choice

Which example correctly uses a sentence interruptor?

• A mousy-looking woman with a scowl etched on her face, Joe turned to his boss and asked her if he could leave early.

• Joe turned to his boss, a mousy-looking woman with
  a scowl etched on her face, and asked her if he could leave early.

• Joe turned to his boss and asked her if he could leave early. She was a mousy-looking woman with a scowl etched on her face.

4.2

Activating Background Knowledge:
Four common causes of a sentence fragment

1. Missing a subject or verb

2. A dependent clause left alone (AAAWUBBIS or A WhITE BUS)

3. A phrase left alone

4. Generally do NOT start a sentence with a conjunction: And, which, but, or, such as.

Fixing Sentence Fragments

DIRECTIONS: Below are several word groups. Edit each fragment in
order to make it a complete sentence.

1. It’s a beautiful day for outdoor activities. Such as canoeing, hiking, or swimming.

2. The book being left on the floor of Mr. Sabina’s classroom.

4.3

Activating Background Knowledge:
Four common causes of a sentence fragment

1. Missing a subject or verb

2. A dependent clause left alone (AAAWUBBIS or A WhITE BUS)

3. A phrase left alone

4. Generally do NOT start a sentence with a conjunction: And, which, but, or, such as.

Multiple Choice

How should we correct this sentence?

Several of us want to give Dr. Kellogg a birthday party. Because he is so kind and generous.

• NO CHANGE

• party because

• party, because

• party; because

Multiple Choice

How should we correct this sentence?

Unfortunately, we still have many preparations to make. Such as reserving a room, sending out invitations, and purchasing gifts.

• NO CHANGE

• make such

• make, such

• make; such

Multiple Choice

Identify which of the following examples BEST expresses the idea
using appropriate conventions of the English language.

• The bleachers in the stadium are uncomfortable. Which forces many fans to bring their own cushions or fold-up seats.

• The bleachers in the stadium are uncomfortable, forcing many fans to bring there own cushions or fold-up seats.

• Because the bleachers in the stadium are uncomfortable, many fans bring their own cushions or fold-up seats.

Multiple Choice

Identify which of the following examples BEST expresses the idea
using appropriate conventions of the English language.

• When I get an opportunity to speak with Mr. Popeil, I will ask him about your project.

• When I get an opportunity to speak with Mr. Popeil. I will ask him about your project.

• I will ask Mr. Popeil about your project. When I get an opportunity to speak with him.