As the students write their essays, they find out what grammar they know and what they don't know. Writing is really a better test of their knowledge than quizzes or exercises. Most of the students in this class have a good foundation in the basics of grammar.
Below is a list of some of the topics that have come up with these rough drafts:
- parallel constructions
- sentences that are too long and have too many ideas and clauses
- sentences with "there is/are ...
- using contractions (not good for essays)
- consistent verb tenses, especially when telly about events in the past
- writing out numbers as words
- commas and coordinate adjectives
- hyphens and adjectives
- punctuating prepositional phrases at the beginning of the sentences
- using quotations for setting apart words that are being defined
- using italics for foreign or scientific words
- matching pronouns with their antecedent
- punctuating dialogue
- punctuating names and dates
- language use for essays (avoiding non-standard and colloquial expressions)
- capitalizing names of relatives
- using the right prepositions
- proper use of parentheses and dashes
- using the same word multiple times
Over time, the students will be experts at these more complicated grammar situations.
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