Self-Analysis of Sentence Structure

• Select one (probably the shorter) of the paragraphs you write in class today in an electronic copy.

• Create a new page or separate file containing the paragraph.

• Put the cursor on the first letter of each apparent sentence, and press "Enter," thus creating a line break with the each sentence on a separate line by itself.

• Review each sentence carefully to determine whether it is indeed a complete sentence--or whether it is 

  • a sentence fragment 

  • or a comma splice 

  • or a fused sentence. 

• Look particularly, of course, for sets of subjects and predicate verbs. Check also to see whether the "sentence" begins with an indicator word or subordinating conjunction.

• If you do find any errors, write the corresponding abbreviation in the margin: SF, CS, or FS.

• Finally, make any needed corrections, both in this list of sentences and in the paragraph itself.

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