1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. E_FRAG.txt File Contents

E_FRAG.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >



 
Fragments


A fragment is just what it implies -- a fragment of a sentence punctuated as if it were a complete sentence. In midthought. It stops. Fragments are most commonly caused by beginning a sentence with an adverbial clause that we incorrectly punctuate like an independent clause.

Because I felt sick last night.

That may be an appropriate oral response to the question, "Why didn't you do your assignment?" But as a written response, it is incorrect.

Correct this fragment by adding a second clause.


     Because I felt sick last night, <  >.



Now correct it by adding a clause in front of the fragment. Notice you don't need a comma here.


     <  > because I felt sick last night.


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Try to imagine yourself as Jack London's editor. His typist doesn't know much about sentences and has messed up the original work. Your job as editor is to fix it. Then you'll see the original manuscript against which to check your editing. 

If you have partners, work together. If you disagree about a sentence, copy it and punctuate it a second way. Then compare it with the original and see if there's more than one way to "correctly" handle the material.


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When all was ready. The man reached in his pocket for a second piece of birch bark. He knew the bark was there, and, though he could not feel it with his fingers. He could hear its crisp rustling as he fumbled for it. Try as he would. He could not clutch hold of it.


Compare your work with the original and make corrections. Talk with your partners about the way sentences were punctuated in the original. If you're not sure, consult with your teacher or consult a handbook.


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Original

When all was ready, the man reached in his pocket for a second piece of birch bark. He knew the bark was there, and, though he could not feel it with his fingers, he could hear its crisp rustling as he fumbled for it. Try as he would, he could not clutch hold of it.



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Edit this section in the same way.

And all the time, in his consciousness, was the knowledge. That each instant his feet were freezing, this thought tended to put him in a panic, but he fought against it. And kept calm. He pulled on his mittens with his teeth. And threshed his arms back and forth, beating his hands with all his might against his sides. 


Original

And all the time, in his consciousness, was the knowledge that each instant his feet were freezing. This thought tended to put him in a panic, but he fought against it and kept calm. He pulled on his mittens with his teeth, and threshed his arms back and forth, beating his hands with all his might against his sides.



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Edit this section in the same way.

He did this sitting down, and he stood up to do it, all the while the dog sat in the snow. Its wolf-brush of a tail curled around warmly over its forefeet, its sharp wolf ears pricked forward intently as it watched the man. And the man. As he beat and threshed with his arms and hands. Felt a great surge of envy as he regarded the creature. That was warm and secure in its natural covering.


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Original

He did this sitting down, and he stood up to do it; and all the while the dog sat in the snow, its wolf-brush of a tail curled around warmly over its forefeet, its sharp wolf ears pricked forward intently as it watched the man. And the man, as he beat and threshed with his arms and hands, felt a great surge of envy as he regarded the creature that was warm and secure in its natural covering.


Excerpts from "To Build a Fire"
by Jack London



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Did you notice London's choice of connecting words? Scroll back to the previous section and make a copy of the original version on this screen at the angle brackets. Put square brackets [ ] around the word and where London used it to connect clauses. Then, let each partner edit one sentence to replace an and with another connecting word or phrase. 

(Apologies to Mr. London. We're just practicing our own style! and learning a little more about his.)



<  >



If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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