Writing to Inform: Step 8

Writing to Inform: Edit for Conventions

By Savannah Arnhart

​Correlative Conjunctions

The last step is to make sure that your spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct. In this step, you'll focus on using correlative conjunctions. Conjunctions are words such as and, but, and or that join words, phrases, or parts of sentences. Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions that are used in pairs.

Correlative Conjunctions

Read the following excerpt from a draft of "Turn on the Power." Then complete the activities.

Modeled Instruction

Open Ended

Describe how to correct the sentence with the wavy line.

Open Ended

Decide whether the underlined sentence uses correlative conjunctions correctly. If not, correct it.

Open Ended

One more sentence uses correlative conjunctions incorrectly. Find it and correct it on the lines below.

Read the following excerpt from an early draft of "Turn on the Power." Then complete the activities. Use the Hints for help.

Guided Practice

Multiple Choice

Read this sentence from the draft:

"Nuclear plants can use either uranium and thorium metal as a heat source."

Which of the following should replace the underlined words to make the sentence correct?

Hint: The writer wants to show a choice between uranium and thorium

• either uranium nor

• neither uranium nor

• either uranium or

• neither uranium and

Open Ended

Rewrite the following sentences to correct any mistakes in the use of correlative conjunctions.

"Neither uranium or thorium is common or cheap. Both are hard to find but expensive to prepare for use. Once the metals are prepared, however, nuclear energy is not only cheap or also reliable.

Hint: Check the chart for correct pairings of correlative conjunctions.