On Conquering a Common Fear - The Comma
Lesson Plan
Class Goals:
Students will review the most common opportunities for revision for style, commas and semicolons.
​
Assignments Due:
Print: Bring the most recent draft of the Blended Essay
​
Read:
-
Read: Chapter 47 Everyday Writer. Pages 464 – 477. Commas.
-
Read: Chapter 48 Everyday Writer. Page 477 – 480. Semicolons.
-
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC-CSmOIUBA (3:22)
-
Additional Resources (optional):
​
In-Class Activities:
Mins: Class Format:
(5) Pre-class video to set the mood – fluidity and revision
15 Welcome and mini lecture with examples of the most common comma errors
5 In class exercise – sample sentence sheet
5 Class discussion to review the example sheet
What was the most surprising grammar rule you learned?
Which common mistakes do you recognize if your writing?
Which common error is the most confusion?
5 Skim your essay for commas and semi colon issues
10 Peer review for commas and semicolons only
10 Final class discussion, thoughts, concerns
Before Class Email Reminder
Class Topics: Comma Use
-
Revise your blended response essay draft based on your revision plan from Friday's lesson. Bring one printed copy of your revised draft to class for in-class editing exercises. Electronic copies are not acceptable.
-
Also, your Everyday Writer to class for grammar exercises!
-
Read: Chapter 47 Everyday Writer. Pages 464 – 477. Commas.
-
Read: Chapter 48 Everyday Writer. Page 477 – 480. Semicolons.
-
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC-CSmOIUBA (3:22)
-
Additional Resources (optional):
​
​
In-Class Exercise – October 24, 2016
​
Printed worksheet to be completed in small teams in class
​
Insert a comma or semicolon if appropriate:
​
-
He was late arriving to class and the other students had already begun the test.
-
However it is necessary to write a lot of papers in college courses.
-
The volunteer who spent every day at the shelter finally got to adopt a puppy of his own.
-
She went to bed early so she would not be tired the next day.
-
The cup next to the kitchen sink needs to be washed.
-
Given that he was unprepared for the test he did perform well on it.
-
At the end of the movie we realized who the murderer was.
-
Because I didn't sleep well last night I am tired today.
-
Please place plastics in the recycling bin recycling can help reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfills.
-
The movie Spotlight won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016.
-
Therefore it is useful to know where to place the comma.
-
The students refusing to park in the furthest parking lot arrived late to class.
-
The students were supposed to learn about speech but the instructor left them speechless.
-
Since it was raining I brought an umbrella.
-
I love Halloween there are so many amazing costumes.
-
Students, who submit their homework late, should have points deducted.
-
The two students involved in cheating, who have been late to class several times, should be expelled.
-
They weren't dangerous criminals they were detectives in disguise.
-
I didn't know which job I wanted I was too confused to decide.
​