Comma Splices & Run-on Sentences
A pattern of error that keeps recurring in my essays are comma splices or known as run on sentences. In class we were assigned to present a mini lesson on a common pattern of error. So my partner and I chose to do it on run-on sentences. The presentation started out by defining run-on sentences, which allows the audience to understand what it actually is. We defined it as, A grammatically incorrect sentence in which two or more main or independent clauses are joined without a word to connect them or a punctuation mark to separate them. Then we gave actual examples of incorrect and correct sentences that involved run-on sentences. Here is an example of a comma splice in my first essay, “They were brought together from stories, the ones that had HIV/AIDS and the people that didn’t.”
To fix this sentence I can place a comma and, instead of just using a comma by itself. The presentation then proceed to provide ways to show how people, including myself, can fix comma splice or run-on sentence problems. One way to fix this problem is to split the sentence into two smaller sentences by using a period. Inserting a semicolon in between two independent clauses can also fix a run-on sentence. Using a comma and a coordinating junction, such as, ,and, will fix the problem. Lastly, you can use a subordinating conjunction to make the sentence grammatically correct. Then we ended with a video that used the four ways to correct a run-on sentence. We used a video just incase we weren’t clear enough to our peers. I have had a problem with my grammar for a long time, because my teachers in elementary never took the time to make sure every student understood what makes an incorrect sentence. I don’t blame them but I know it would’ve helped if they taught more in depth about grammatical errors. It seems like being a freshmen in college that I should know how to avoid these simple errors, but I don’t. By creating this mini lesson I was able to gain a better knowledge around comma splices and run-on sentences.
Here is a link to my mini lesson: https://docs.google.com/a/une.edu/presentation/d/1nKwy5Egl2igpixtgJCumqu6S_w99SQLgT3RQalbzzOA/edit?usp=sharing
