Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

• The subject of a sentence is what the sentence is about.
• The subject usually performs the action of the verb.
• A verb expresses an action or occurrence.
• The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number.

Compound Subjects

• Compound subjects consist of more than one word.
• Compound subjects are typically joined by 'and' or 'or.'
• A compound subject joined by 'and' needs a plural verb.
• If a compound subject is joined by 'or' and both parts are singular, use a singular verb.
• If a compound subject is joined by 'or' and both parts are plural, use a plural verb.
• With 'or,' if one part is plural and the other is singular, the verb agrees with the part closer to it.

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Even when the verb comes before the subject, they still must agree in number.
• A word in a prepositional phrase can never be the subject of the sentence.
• Ignore prepositional phrases between the subject and verb.
• Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific person or thing.
• Singular indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' need a singular verb.

Sentence Fragments

• Sentence fragments are presented like complete sentences but don't express a complete thought.
• A complete thought includes enough details to avoid confusing the reader.
• Sentences must have a subject and a predicate to be complete.
• The subject tells who or what the sentence is about.
• The predicate includes the verb and tells what the subject did.
• Correct sentence fragments by adding a subject or a predicate.
• A sentence fragment can also be attached to a nearby sentence.

Run-On Sentences

• Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are not properly joined.
• Independent clauses contain a subject and a verb and express a complete thought.
• Run-on sentences differ from sentence fragments because sentence fragments do not express a complete thought.
• Fused sentence: two independent clauses joined without punctuation.
• Comma splice: two independent clauses joined by a comma alone.
• Polysyndeton: multiple conjunctions used in a sentence, often without proper punctuation.
• Run-on sentences can be fixed by separating the independent clauses into their own sentences or by separating the independent clauses with a comma and coordinating junction.
• Compound sentence: Creates complete sentences from run-on sentences when using two independent clauses separated by a coordinating conjunction and a comma.
• Complex sentence: Creates complete sentences from run-on sentences when using an independent clause and a subordinate clause.
• Rewording the sentence: is another way to fix a run-on sentence.

Spelling Rules

• In most words, 'i' precedes 'e' (friend, chief), but there are exceptions.
• If a suffix is added to a word ending in 'e', omit the 'e' (possible → possibly), with exceptions (complete → completely).
• When a suffix that starts with a vowel is added to a word that ends in a consonant, then the consonant is doubled (prefer → preferred).
• Writers should become familiar with the most commonly misspelled words.
• Writers should consult a dictionary when in doubt.

Proofreading

• Proofreading: The process of reading work to correct errors.
• Proofreading marks/editing symbols: Universal marks indicate errors.
• Marks exist for errors in punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and formatting.
• Marks are used by writers and teachers to correct hard copies.
• Writers should proofread their own work instead of relying on computer programs.
• Proofreading a hard copy of work is advised.
• Using proofreading marks to correct writing is efficient.

Reading Comprehension

• Reading comprehension: Understanding and retaining what is read.

Questioning and Connections

• Asking questions self-checks understanding.
• Answering questions helps to remember what you read.
• Making a connection links a text to your own experiences.

Making an Inference

• With an inference, one takes clues from text and combine them with what is known.

Determining Importance

• Determining the importance is determining why the text was written and what the author want you to get out of it.
• Knowing the main idea allows to determine basically what the whole text is about.

Visualizing

• Creating a mental picture of action when reading.
• It can helpful to draw a picture when reading.