1. Thurs, June 16, 2022
Sentence Structure and Intro to Grammar Vocabulary
We begin with a focus on sentence structure, and two mirrored structural problems: the sentence fragment and the run-on sentence. How do you know if your sentence is, grammatically speaking, too long, too short, or just right?
Reading: An Introduction to Grammar Vocabulary
Quizzes: Vocabulary of Grammar, Identifying Sentence Fragments, Identifying Run-On Sentences
Essay Assignment: Revise a writing sample from a previous writing assignment, at least 400 words long, focusing only on any sentence fragments or run-on sentences.
2. Thurs, June 23, 2022
Verbs
Drilling down into the parts of speech, we continue with a review of verbs, their characteristics, tense and the subjunctive, and subject-verb agreement. We explore common mistakes, such as accidentally changing verb tense and choosing the wrong verb for the noun in light of person, gender, or number.
Reading: Verbs and Their Functions
Quizzes: Identifying the Characteristics of the Verb, Subject-Verb Agreement, and Tenses and Subjunctives
Essay Assignment: Revise an old writing assignment, at least 400 words long, focusing only on errors in verb usage, such as lack of subject-verb agreement, tense mismatch, or improper use of the subjunctive.
3. Thurs, June 30, 2022
Nouns and Pronouns
We move from predicates to subjects—from what is done, to who or what is doing it. Students will review how to identify nouns and pronouns and how to ensure that pronouns correctly reflect the nouns to which they refer (what is called in grammar the “antecedent”). We will review common errors in the use of nouns, including punctuation of proper nouns and common mistakes or sources of confusion in choosing whether to use the singular or plural.
Reading: Nouns, Pronouns, and Their Functions
Quizzes: Noun and Pronoun Basics, Noun Use and Plurals
Essay Assignment: Review and revise an old writing assignment of at least 400 words. First, identify all nouns and pronouns, drawing an arrow back to each pronoun’s antecedent. Second, correct any errors relating to plural nouns or proper noun punctuation, and then confirm that all pronouns agree with their antecedent in person, gender, and number and are in the proper form (subject or object) for the clause in which they appear.
4. Thurs, July 7, 2022
No Chat Session (Fourth of July Holiday)
5. Thurs, July 14, 2022
Adjectives, Adverbs, and Other Modifiers
We will discuss all types of modifiers this week: the adjectives, adverbs, modifying phrases, and clauses that add further detail to the subject-predicate base. We will also explore common areas of confusion, including substitution of adverbs for adjectives (such as “good” versus “well”).
Reading: Using Modifiers (Adjectives, Adverbs, Phrases, and Clauses)
Quizzes: Adjectives and Adverbs, Using Modifiers
Essay Assignment: Review a paragraph of at least four sentences, and then identify every modifier and the word it modifies. Verify that the modifier is in the correct form (such as article, adjective, or adverb) and that it agrees in number and type, where applicable.
6. Thurs, July 21, 2022
Choosing the Correct Word
This week focuses on common errors in word use, including jargon or slang in academic prose, idioms that are frequently misquoted or misused (such as, “I could care less” for “I couldn’t care less”), and word pairs that sound similar, such as “insure/ensure,” "affect/effect,” and “accept/except.”
Reading: Using the Right Word in the Right Place
Quizzes: Choosing the Right Word, Spotting the Problem
Essay Assignment: Write a short essay of at least three paragraphs in which you correctly use a word from one of the ten pairs of words listed in this week’s reading, “Using the Right Word in the Right Place.”
7. Thurs, July 28, 2022
Comma Usage
This week explores the use of commas in a variety of contexts, including lists, sentence introductions, and multiple clauses. In particular, we will look at the distinction between dependent and independent clauses, circling back to the comma splice, and the Oxford comma debate.
Reading: Understanding Clauses and Using the Comma
Quizzes: Using Commas in a Sentence, Comma Usage Continued
Essay Assignment: Write a short essay at least three paragraphs long, review for comma use, and submit final draft.
8. Thurs, Aug 4, 2022
Other Punctuation
We move on from the comma to other sentence punctuation, such as colons and semicolons and end punctuation (periods, question marks, and exclamation points), and capitalization rules—as well as the ever-fascinating subject of hyphens (-) versus dashes (—).
Reading: Punctuating Sentences Correctly
Quizzes: Determining the Correct Punctuation, More Punctuation Decisions
Essay Assignment: Write a short paragraph of at least three sentences about what you did this summer, and use at least five listed punctuation marks correctly.
9. Thurs, Aug 11 2022
Reflection and Review
In our final week, we look at practical strategies for tracking the usage problems discussed in the course. Students will discuss any tendencies they have identified through the revision process and how to shore up any remaining weak areas.
Reading: Proof-Reading Your Own Work
Quizzes: Identifying Errors
To complete after the course: Test your knowledge using quick review exercises at Grammar Bytes website.