The following links to explanations, exercises and handouts will supplement instruction in Basic Writing classes.

 

I. The simple sentence

            A. What is a sentence?

            B. Verbs

            C. Simple Subjects

D. Prepositions

                        1.  Prepositions of Direction: To, On(to), In(to) exercise and answer key

                        2.  Prepositions of Location: At, In, On exercise and answer key

                        3.  Prepositions of Time, of Place, and to Introduce Objects

            4.  Spatial Relationships of Prepositions

 

II. Combining Sentences

            A.  Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences : exercise and key

            B.  Semicolons

            C.  Dependent Clauses

            D.  Independent and Dependent Clauses

 

III. Avoiding run-on sentences and comma splices

            A.  Run-on Sentences

            B.  Run-ons, Comma splices, and Fused Sentences

 

IV. Avoiding Sentence Fragments

 

V.  Parallel Sentences: How to create a parallel sentence.

 

VI. Using adjectives and adverbs

            A. Adjectives

            B.  Comparatives and Superlatives

            C.  Adverbs

 

VII. Correcting problems with modifiers

Dangling Modifiers

 

VIII. Using verbs correctly

            A.  Verb Tenses: Overview of the basic verb tenses (when each tense should be used).

            B.  Irregular Verb Forms; Irregular Verbs

 

IX. Verbs: consistency and voice

            A.  Verb Tenses

            B.  Sequence of Tenses

            C.  Verb Tense Consistency

            D.  Active and Passive Voice

 

X.  Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

 

XI.   Using Pronouns Clearly

 

XII. Punctuation

            A. The Functions of Punctuation

B. Using Commas: five exercises and answer keys

C.  The Apostrophe: exercise and answer key

D.  Quotation Marks: exercise and answer key

E.  Brief Overview of Punctuation: Semicolons, Colons, Parentheses, Dash, Quotation Marks, and Italics: exercise and answer key

 

XIII. Spelling

 

XIV.   Word choice

A.     Commonly Confused Words

B.      COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

 

 

XV.   Sentence variety

Punctuation Pattern Sheet.

 

XVI. Paragraph Development

 

 

 

Additional helpful websites:

 

Bellevue (WA) Community College Writing Lab

Bemidji State University Writing Center

Bethel College Writing Center

Capital Community Technical College's Guide to Grammar and Writing

Cleveland State University's The Writing Center

DePaul University Writing Center

University of Florida's Online Writing Lab

The University of Houston Writing Center

The University of Illinois Writers' Workshop (includes an annotated list of the best sites for writers)

Purdue University's Online Writing Lab  

The Temple University Writing Center

Towson University Online Writing Support

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center