University:
Sam Houston State University
Course:
TESL 7307 | Teaching Second Language Writing.
Academic year:

2020
Views:

254

Pages:

2
Author:

GalacticGuru

Run-on sentences are independent clauses that have not been joined correctly. There are two main types: the comma splice and the fused sentence. The comma splice has two main forms. The first is a run-on sentence joined by a comma alone, and the second is a run-on sentence joined by a comma and a word that is not a coordinating conjunction (the coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or, nor, for so, yet). Comma Splice Examples Gestures are a means of communication for everyone, they are essential for the hearingimpaired. Gestures are a means of communication for everyone, however, they are essential for the hearing-impaired. Fused Sentence Example Gestures are a means of communication for everyone they are essential for the hearing-impaired. Independent Clause Independent Clause Revision/How to Resolve these Problems To revise a run-on sentence, you have four choices:  Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Gestures are a means of communication for everyone, but they are essential for the hearing-impaired.  Use a semicolon. A semicolon can also be accompanied by a transitional phrase. Gestures are a means of communication for everyone; they are essential for the hearing-impaired. Gestures are a means of communication for everyone; however, they are essential for the hearing-impaired.  Make the clauses into separate sentences. Gestures are a means of communication for everyone. They are essential for the hearing-impaired.  Restructure the sentence so that one independent clause becomes a dependent clause. Although gestures are a means of communication for everyone, they are essential for the hearing-impaired. Sentence Decision Flow Chart Does the sentence contain two independent clauses? No Yes Are the clauses joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction? Yes No Are the clauses joined with a semicolon? Yes No REVISE. It is a comma splice or a fused sentence. No revision needed!