We are going to do a really simple Grammar Guide this week. We're going to talk about the end of the sentence.
There are three common ways to end a sentence. A period. An exclamation point! A question mark?
First up, the round dot at the end of your sentence is the period. A period is used when the sentence states a fact or makes a command. Each sentence in this paragraph ends in a period.
Next up, the question mark: ❓
Sentences that ask a question or display doubt end in a question mark.
Example: Scooby-Doo, where are you?
Last, but not least, the exclamation point! An exclamation point expresses strong feelings, yelling, or tells you something extraordinary has occurred.
Example: Jinkies!
Important tips on exclamation points: Don't overuse them! They lose impact! Honest! People lose sight of them if they appear constantly! Not everything is extraordinary! And do not put more than one together!!!!!
The only caveat to those tips is if you are simulating an annoying teenager's dialog habits.
So, this is a TV show and not a movie... but the show is really fascinating. There are 10 seasons now. What I love about the show is that it asks questions that don't have ready answers. Now, I don't agree with them jumping to "it was aliens!" to everything they ask. But that doesn't change the fact that something is wrong with the history that we know.
Oh.. And this is the source of Alien Hair Guy Meme.
I've used some of the questions generated by this show as background in my Psionic story universe.
This week we wrap up on construction of sentences. Our first part talks about Parallel Construction in sentences.
Parallel words, phrases, and clauses improve the flow of ideas and heighten its impact. Similarity of form helps readers recognize similarity of content or function.
Use consistent voice throughout sentence
Ensure consistent voice (active or passive) and an introduction to each clause in a series
Bad: Joey was worried that the exam would be too hard, Joey would not be prepared and his pen would be forgotten in his locker.
Good: Joey was worried that he would forget his pen, he would not be prepared, and that the exam would be too hard.
Be Aware of Verb Tense Agreement
Don't mix verb tenses
Bad: Alexa washed, dried and was curling her hair.
Good: Alexa washed, dried, and curled her hair.
Simplify items that are in pairs or series
Present actions, attributes, or items in a series in a simple and coherent way
Bad: Billy is very mean and is very violent
Good: Billy is very mean and violent.
Don't leave out words that would change your intended meaning
Be sure to include all the words you need in the sentence
Bad: To learn more, I talked to the boy and police officer.
Good: To learn more, I talked to the boy and his arresting police officer.
Keep things in emphasis or timing.
Place actions in chronological order or items with differing degrees of importance in increasing order.
Bad: Use power tools properly or risk death or injury
Good: Use power tools properly or risk injury or death.
References:
Kern, Jara. (2020). The Infographic Guide to Grammar. Adams Media
Venolia, Jan. (2001). Write Right! (4th ed.). Ten Speed Press
This week we go over even more clauses. This week we continue our discussion on clauses.
Clauses can be categorized by whether or not they are necessary to the meaning of the noun in the sentence. An essential clause, also called a defining clause or a restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the noun in the sentence.
Example: The car that I just bought in the driveway. The restrictive clause, that I just bought, distinguishes the car from any and all others.
Non-restrictive clauses are the opposite, insomuch as that they can be omitted from the sentence without changing its meaning.
The Mustang, which only has 25,000 miles on it, needs new brakes. Omitting which has only 25,000 miles on it does not change the sentence's meaning, making the clause non-restrictive.
Helpful Tip:
That vs Which. Usually, the word that starts restrictive clauses, and the word which starts non-restrictive clauses. Non-restrictive clauses are usually separated from the sentence by commas, while restrictive clauses are not.
I'm going to be restrictive and not cover this Claus:
References:
Kern, Jara. (2020). The Infographic Guide to Grammar. Adams Media
Venolia, Jan. (2001). Write Right! (4th ed.). Ten Speed Press
