Transcript PSAT Strategies: Writing

PSAT Strategies: Writing
Analyzing Sentence Structure
Problems with Logical Expression
Analyzing Sentence Structure
 Is the sentence a run-on sentence?
 Are the elements of the sentence parallel?
 Are there any incomplete split constructions?
 Do the verb tenses correctly reflect the sequence
of events?
Run-on Sentences
Run-on= sentence that carelessly runs two main clauses
together without appropriate punctuation or connectors.
Run on sentences can be corrected in one of three ways:
end stop punctuation . ? !
a semicolon ;
, connector (FANBOY)
*however, consequently, therefore, and moreover are NOT
connectors.
The lecture was dull you almost fell asleep. (run-on)
The lecture was dull. You almost fell asleep. (end stop)
The lecture was dull; you almost fell asleep. (;)
The lecture was dull, and you almost fell asleep. (, FANBOY)
The lecture was dull, therefore, you almost fell asleep. NO!
The lecture was dull; therefore, you almost fell asleep.
The lecture was dull. Therefore, you almost fell asleep.
Faulty Parallelism
Find the flaw:
At most colleges, the dominant attitude among students is that
gaining admission to professional graduate school is more
important than to obtain a well-rounded education.
To demand that additional seasonings be placed on the table is
insulting the chef’s judgement on the proper balance of
ingredients.
The review was very critical of the film, citing the poor photography,
the weak plot, and the dialogue was stilted.
*Check all items- verb forms, noun forms, word pairs (this…that,
either…or, and neither…nor)
Page 593 #29, #30, #31
Incomplete Split Construction
A split construction is a sentence structure in which two
otherwise separate ideas are joined together by a later
element. Be alert for split constructions and check that any
interrupted thought is correctly completed.
Correct Example: The officials were not only aware of, but
actually encouraged, the misreporting of scores.
Incomplete Split Construction
Opponents of the President’s foreign policy disclosed yesterday
that the CIA not only knew but tacitly encouraged terrorist
activities in Central America.
Her colleagues always speak of Professor Collins as a person
who has and will always be sensitive to the needs of younger
students.
Judging from the pricing policies of many large corporations,
maintaining a stable share of the market is as important, if
not more important than, making a large profit.
*Read the sentence without the intervening material. It should
make sense and be grammatically correct. #32 and #33
Verb Tense
 Principal parts of verbs/irregular verbs – page 295
 Perfect tenses
 Present perfect
 I am glad you are here at last; I have waited an hour for you to arrive.
 Past perfect
 The foreman asked what had happened to my eye.
 Future perfect
 When I reach Chicago tonight, my uncle will have left for Los Angeles.
 Subjective mood
 If I were… as if he were… as though it were… we suggest that
he be assigned… (a wish, condition contrary to fact, as
if/though)
Problems of Logical Expression
 Faulty or illogical comparisons
 Sequence and verb tense
 Unintended meanings
 Conciseness
 Misplaced modifiers
Faulty or Illogical Comparisons
*Be alert for sentences that attempt to make an illogical
comparison between two dissimilar concepts.
Today, life expectancies of both men and women are much
higher compared to the turn of the century when living
conditions were much harsher.
The average salary of a professional basketball player is higher
than the top level management of most corporations.
Faulty or Illogical Comparisons
Comparisons between two objects: -er or more
Comparisons among three or more objects: -est or most
Irregular comparisonsgood
better
best
well
better
best
bad
worse
worst
far
farther, further
farthest, furthest
late
later
latest
little
?
?
many
?
?
Modifiers that don’t change
These represent the HIGHEST degree, and therefore cannot be
improved: complete
correct
dead
perfectly
deadly
unique
totally
exact
supreme
infinitely
others?
#34-42
Sequence and Verb Tense
Find the errors:
As soon as Linda finished writing her dissertation, she will take a
well-earned vacation in Paris.
A recent study shows that many mothers re-enter the labor force
after their children left home.
*Make sure verb tenses properly reflect the sequence as well as the
duration of any action described in the sentence.
Charles came to town last week and goes to a resort where he rests
for three days.
Joan came home last week and goes to to her home in the country
where she spends the last weekend of her vacation.
#43-45
Unintended Meanings
*Check whether the sentence structure conveys the intended
meaning.
A childless charwoman’s daughter, Dr. Roberts was a self-made
woman.
If the present interest rates fall, the dollar will lose some of its
value on the foreign exchange.
#46-47
Conciseness
*Avoid awkward sentences
(A sentence may be grammatically and logically correct, yet need
correction. *choose answers that render the thought more
directly- many answer choices introduce additional awkwardness
into the original sentence.)
A giant condor is able to spread its wings up to 25 feet.
Although most students would benefit from further study of the
sciences, doing so is frightening to most of them in that science
courses are more difficult that liberal arts courses.
Given that the Incas lacked the wheel, the buildings at Machu Picchu
are more astonishing than any Greek temples that are comparable
as an achievement.
Conciseness, cont.
Avoid weak passive verbs (any verb construction using a formof
the verb “be” or “have” in addition to the active verb is a
passive verb)
One-fourth of the market was captured by the new computer
firm.
The lottery prize being $110 million, there are almost as many
tickets sold as there are prize dollars.
The teacher, having finished the day’s lesson, let us leave class
early.
#48
Conciseness, cont.
Avoid needlessly wordy sentences. Avoid needless repetition by
selecting a choice that renders the thought the most directly.
The protracted discussion over which route we should take
continued for a long time.
An aim of the proposal is chiefly to ensure and guarantee the
academic freedom of students.
#50-#56
Misplaced Modifiers
 Stuffed with herb dressing, trussed neatly, and baked to a
golden hue, Aunt Fannie proudly served her famous holiday
turkey.
 The doctor said gently to the patient that there was nothing
wrong with a smile.
 At the tailgate party, Fred served cold beer to his thirsty
guests in paper cups.
*place modifiers as closely as possible to what they modify.
#57-59