Laurie

White
Mechanics Video Script
IST 511
11/10/15

Audience 5th grade students

This lesson meets state standards in language usage for 5th grade. Errors in the use of
commas and coordinating conjunctions occur because students are attempting to go
beyond writing only simple sentences. As a result, they write run-on sentences with little
or no punctuation. Although this may be considered an introductory lesson for fifth
graders, many adults, native and non-native English speakers, struggle with using commas
and coordinating conjunctions, and understanding the difference between independent and
dependent clauses.

SLIDE 1 -
Today we are talking about commas, coordinating conjunctions, and clauses.
Commas come in pretty handy. Weve already learned about the Oxford comma, or using a
comma in a series.
Conjunctions are like the glue holding parts of the sentence together.
Clauses, like sentences, have a subject and predicate.

SLIDE 2 -
At the end of this lesson you will understand the difference between an independent clause
and a dependent clause. You will know what the seven coordinating conjunctions are, and
have the tool of a mnemonic device to help you remember them. You will know how to use
a comma and a coordinating conjunction together to combine two independent clauses.

SLIDE 3
First of all, what are clauses?
A clause, like sentence, has a subject and a predicate.
Some are considered independent while others are dependent.
So, what do the words independent and dependent mean?
When you hear the word independent, what does it make you think?
To say a person is independent is to say they can care of themselves; they can stand on
their own two feet.
Dependent people, like children, for example, rely on others for support.
Now that you know the meaning of these two words, what do you think might be the
difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?
Well, independent clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence.
For example, I am hungry, is an independent clause because it is a complete sentence
when it ends with a period.
Dependent clauses cannot stand-alone.
If you write them as stand-alone sentences, and then read them aloud, you hear something
is missing.
Youre left waiting.
For example, the clause because I was hungry, just doesnt work alone as a sentence.
You need to know what happened because I was hungry.
What did I do?

Laurie White
Mechanics Video Script
IST 511
11/10/15
Because is a subordinating conjunction but well get into those in a future lesson.

SLIDE 4
Today lets focus on coordinating conjunctions.
There are seven of them.
Seven tiny little words that are very powerful!
They are the glue connecting grammatically equal elements.
These elements may be words, phrases, or even clauses.
For todays lesson, were focusing on how to use coordinating conjunctions to join
independent clauses.
So, what are these seven powerful little words?
The acronym FANBOYS may help you remember.
The words are: for; and; nor; but; or; yet; and so. FANBOYS!
These little words, along with a comma, can take two independent clauses (also called
sentences) and turn them into one grammatically correct compound sentence.
Combine short, simple sentences to enhance your writing; make it more interesting.

SLIDE 5
You dont need to add a comma when joining a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Remember, it needs to lean on the independent clause, so dont let a comma stand in the
way!
Independent clauses, however, do need commas.
FANBOYS for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so are great connectors to combine independent
clauses, but they need a comma to make the compound sentence grammatically correct!
You might think of the comma as the grammatical tool that shows the independent clauses
ability to stand alone even though theyve been joined in a compound sentence.
The placement of the comma in a compound sentence is always the same - before the
coordinating conjunction, right after the last word in the first independent clause.
You need a space after the comma, and then you add your coordinating conjunction.

SLIDE 6
Lets look at an example of joining two independent clauses.
It was freezing cold outside.
She went outside to get the mail.
These two sentences, or independent clauses, can be combined into a compound sentence
in more than one way.
It was freezing cold outside, but she went outside to get the mail anyway.
It was freezing cold outside, yet she went outside to get the mail.
Notice the changes to punctuation and capitalization?

SLIDE 7
Lets Review.
Independent clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence, but sometimes we want to
join them to another clause, creating a compound or complex sentence.

Laurie White
Mechanics Video Script
IST 511
11/10/15
Use one of the seven coordinating conjunctions and a comma to join two independent
clauses.
Dependent clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; they need support.
No comma is needed when a dependent clause leans on an independent clause.
Use the acronym FANBOYS to recall the seven coordinating conjunctions: for; and; nor;
but; or; yet; and so.
Always place a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining two independent
clauses.
If you need additional help, try the two video links.
If you want to test your skill with creating compound sentences, try the worksheet link.

SLIDE 8
References used in the creation Clauses and compound sentences of this presentation are
included here.

Clauses and compound sentences. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from
https://www.sinclair.edu/centers/tlc/pub/handouts_worksheets/english/sentences_claus
es_and_compound.pdf
Hacker, D. (2003). A writer's reference (5th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Malomet, R. (2014). Five common grammar errors most students make, and how to avoid
them. Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://hubpages.com/literature/Five-common-
grammar-mistakes-students-make-and-how-to-avoid-them
Welcome to the Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/01/
FANBOYS image -
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/sites/default/files/images/blogs/69/6a00e54faaf86
b8833014e8619eb10970d-320wi
Commas Image
http://www.enkivillage.com/s/upload/images/2014/12/bd8a86757b15da32633a003e1b
f207fe.png
Clauses image http://www.fe.hku.hk/telec/pgram/5-gr/511f/pic/511-001b.gif
Practice worksheet (p.2)
http://www.ramsey.k12.nj.us/cms/lib3/NJ01000326/Centricity/Domain/286/Comma%2
0Practice%20Packet.pdf
YouTube Video Schoolhouse Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPoBE-E8VOc
YouTube Video FANBOYS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-catJZm_2TI