WRITING QUESTIONSWRITING QUESTIONS

Part 5 NotesSAT PreparationMrs. Erdman

Part 5 NotesSAT PreparationMrs. Erdman

1. Multiple-choice writing items fall into

three different categories.

1. Multiple-choice writing items fall into

three different categories.

Identifying Sentence Errors Improving Sentences Improving Paragraphs

Identifying Sentence Errors Improving Sentences Improving Paragraphs

2. Basic 5-step plan for answering multiple-choice

questions.

2. Basic 5-step plan for answering multiple-choice

questions.

#1 Read sentence and/or paragraphs to get sense of its

meaning

#1 Read sentence and/or paragraphs to get sense of its

meaning

#2 Anticipate the answer. Determine how to best revise.

#3 Read ALL 5 choices. Check each in context.

#2 Anticipate the answer. Determine how to best revise.

#3 Read ALL 5 choices. Check each in context.

#4 If you have to guess:A. Eliminate choices that don’t

make senseB. Go for answer that creates most direct, less complicated sentenceC. Understand why you made choice

you didD. If you can eliminate even one,

guess

#4 If you have to guess:A. Eliminate choices that don’t

make senseB. Go for answer that creates most direct, less complicated sentenceC. Understand why you made choice

you didD. If you can eliminate even one,

guess

#5 Check answer by reading entire sentence or passage with your

revision

#5 Check answer by reading entire sentence or passage with your

revision

3. What two things must every sentence have?Subject & Predicate (noun/pronoun &

verb/verb phrase) and express a complete

thought

3. What two things must every sentence have?Subject & Predicate (noun/pronoun &

verb/verb phrase) and express a complete

thought

4. What are the two types of clauses?

Independent ClauseDependent Clause

4. What are the two types of clauses?

Independent ClauseDependent Clause

5. Define the two types of clauses.

A. independent - contain a subject/verb and express a complete thought (sentence)B. dependent - contain a subject/verb and does not express a complete thought

(fragment)

5. Define the two types of clauses.

A. independent - contain a subject/verb and express a complete thought (sentence)B. dependent - contain a subject/verb and does not express a complete thought

(fragment)

6. Four basic sentence types:A. Simple

B. CompoundC. Complex

D. Compound-Complex

6. Four basic sentence types:A. Simple

B. CompoundC. Complex

D. Compound-Complex

7. Sentence Types: Definitions and Samples

7. Sentence Types: Definitions and Samples

#1 Simple - 1 independent clause

(1 subject/1 verb)I went to the store.

#2 Compound - 2 or more independent clauses

I went to the store, and I bought cookies.

I went to the store; I bought cookies.

#1 Simple - 1 independent clause

(1 subject/1 verb)I went to the store.

#2 Compound - 2 or more independent clauses

I went to the store, and I bought cookies.

I went to the store; I bought cookies.

#3 Complex - 1 independent clause & at least 1 dependent

clauseI went to the store because I

needed milk.#4 Compound-Complex - at least

2 independent clauses & at least 1 dependent clause

While I was at the store, my daughter called me, and she

said to buy milk.

#3 Complex - 1 independent clause & at least 1 dependent

clauseI went to the store because I

needed milk.#4 Compound-Complex - at least

2 independent clauses & at least 1 dependent clause

While I was at the store, my daughter called me, and she

said to buy milk.

8. Run-on Sentence8. Run-on Sentence

Two incorrectly joined independent clauses

I went to the store I bought milk I had to get bread too.

Two incorrectly joined independent clauses

I went to the store I bought milk I had to get bread too.

9. Comma Splice9. Comma Splice

Run-on sentence with commas connecting two independent clauses

I went to the store, I bought milk, I had to get bread too.

Run-on sentence with commas connecting two independent clauses

I went to the store, I bought milk, I had to get bread too.

10. Correcting a Run-On10. Correcting a Run-On

A. Make 2 sentencesB. Add a word (conjunction)

between 2 independent clauses (comma before the conjunction)

C. Add a subordinating conjunction to create a complex sentence

D. Use a semicolon

A. Make 2 sentencesB. Add a word (conjunction)

between 2 independent clauses (comma before the conjunction)

C. Add a subordinating conjunction to create a complex sentence

D. Use a semicolon

11/12. Fragments11/12. Fragments

A group of word that doesn’t express a complete thought

Phrase: to go to the storeClause: Because I need milk

A group of word that doesn’t express a complete thought

Phrase: to go to the storeClause: Because I need milk

13. Modification13. Modification

Adverb modifying a verb - I carefully removed the bullet from the gun.

Adverb modifying an adjective - I was an incredibly tight race.

Adverb modifying an adverb - He won very convincingly.

Adverb modifying a verb - I carefully removed the bullet from the gun.

Adverb modifying an adjective - I was an incredibly tight race.

Adverb modifying an adverb - He won very convincingly.

14. Comparative Degree14. Comparative Degree

Used to compare two things

She studied longer than I did.

Used to compare two things

She studied longer than I did.

15. Superlative Form15. Superlative Form

Used to compare MORE than two things.

This is the best pizza.

Used to compare MORE than two things.

This is the best pizza.

16. What “case” is used for the subject of a

sentence?

16. What “case” is used for the subject of a

sentence?

Nominative Nominative

17. What “case” is used to show ownership?

17. What “case” is used to show ownership?

Possessive Possessive

18. What “case” is used to show that a noun or pronoun receives the

action?

18. What “case” is used to show that a noun or pronoun receives the

action?

Objective Objective

19. What is the difference between the active and

passive voice in writing?

19. What is the difference between the active and

passive voice in writing?Active - subject performs the

action named by the verb The dog chewed the bone.

Passive - subject receives the action

The bone was chewed by the dog.

Active - subject performs the action named by the verb The dog chewed the bone.

Passive - subject receives the action

The bone was chewed by the dog.

20. Why is active voice preferred?

20. Why is active voice preferred?

Less WordyLess Wordy

21. Parallel Structure (Words)

21. Parallel Structure (Words)

I watch TV, people, and birds.

(all nouns)

I watch TV, people, and birds.

(all nouns)

22. Parallel Structure (Phrases)

22. Parallel Structure (Phrases)

I like eating Oreos, drinking milk, and brushing my teeth.

(all gerund phrases)

I like eating Oreos, drinking milk, and brushing my teeth.

(all gerund phrases)

23. Dangling Modifiers23. Dangling Modifiers

Word or phrase that describes something left out of the

sentence

Word or phrase that describes something left out of the

sentence

24. Misplaced Modifiers24. Misplaced Modifiers

Word or phrase that describes a word placed too far away from the

noun it’s modifying - doesn’t make sense

Word or phrase that describes a word placed too far away from the

noun it’s modifying - doesn’t make sense

25. How to Improve Paragraph Questions

25. How to Improve Paragraph Questions

A. Understand the passage - read several times

B. Look for relationships among ideas

A. Understand the passage - read several times

B. Look for relationships among ideas

26. Types of Errors26. Types of Errors

A. Unclear pronoun referenceB. Tense (verb) shift [present/past/future]

A. Unclear pronoun referenceB. Tense (verb) shift [present/past/future]

27. Steps to take to determine what sentence would logically follow another in a

paragraph (conclude).

27. Steps to take to determine what sentence would logically follow another in a

paragraph (conclude).A. Identify writer’s main idea (topic

sentence or infer from details)B. Identify writer’s slant (what is

writer’s opinion?)C. See what choice best fits with

main idea & writer’s opinion

A. Identify writer’s main idea (topic sentence or infer from details)

B. Identify writer’s slant (what is writer’s opinion?)

C. See what choice best fits with main idea & writer’s opinion

The EndThe End