Paragraph Section – Grammar Video Project
Through completing this project, I believe I have accomplished gaining a well-rounded knowledge of these grammatical concepts: The Oxford Comma, Parallel Structure, Semi-Colon, and Colon. I know can confidently say that I can define, properly use, and identify the incorrect use of these concepts in a sentence structure. This project was an incredible educational experience for me as it challenged me every step of the way. My knowledge of grammar was put to the test, creativity to brainstorm a theme, and my ability to work successfully with a partner. I am happy to say that I believe my critical thinking, creative, and communication skills improved throughout the course of this project. I am so proud of the dedication and hard work both me and my partner put into this project. We have tried to create a learning tool for those curious to learn about these grammar concepts while keeping the video interesting and visually appealing. I believe we have succeeded in our goal and I can’t wait to show our learning through this video, to the class.
The Oxford Comma :
The Oxford Comma is the last comma in a sentence that includes a list with three or more terms. It also provides a pause to clarify that the last two terms are not connected. The oxford comma is known as being quite controversial as some writers believe that there is no need for the oxford comma when you can just rephrase your writing, while other writers believe it is essential. Example Sentence #1: “Mrs. Weasley gave out gifts to her kids, Hermione, and Harry.” With the Oxford comma, you can clearly tell who Mrs. Weasley is giving out gifts to, which is her many kids (Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny), as well as their friends Harry and Hermione. Without the Oxford comma, it would seem like Harry and Hermione are her kids. Some writers believe there is no need for the oxford comma when you can just rephrase your writing. Example Sentence #2 (Rephrased Writing): “Mrs. Weasley gave out gifts to Hermione, Harry and her kids.” Without using the Oxford Comma, you must rearrange your sentence, in order for the context to make sense to the reader. This is shown in the example above, where you are making it very clear that Mrs. Weasley is giving gifts to her kids, as well as Ron and Hermione. Both sentences are correct, yet one doesn’t use the oxford comma, which is why some people believe we don’t need to use it at all. Even though the piece of punctuation makes sure that there are no misunderstandings in your sentences that contain lists with three or more terms.
The Parallel Structure:
The parallel structure ensures that the grammatical form used all throughout your writing is alike or “parallel”. The components of your sentences that have similar functions should have a similar construction, which means that you are consistent with your grammatical form all throughout your writing. Example sentence #1: “I like riding my broomstick and catching the snitch.” In this example, we are still comparing the two elements, which are the broomstick and the snitch. The verbs, which are riding and catching, are both gerunds, which are in the same form, (in the present tense). Therefore, this sentence has parallelism. Example sentence #2: “After Harry finished off Voldemort, he ate a piece of cake to celebrate.” In this example, the two actions presented in the sentence are related. This creates a clear connection that is easy to understand. Therefore, this sentence has parallelism.
The Semi-Colon :
The semi-colon is commonly used to connect two closely related independent clauses. Semi-colons can replace conjunction, shorten a sentence, and bring more variety to your writing. Semi-colons are known to be stronger than a comma, but less final than a period. Example Sentence #1: “Fred and George are very silly; they like to trick me.” In this example sentence, the semi-colon is performing its function by properly connecting the two related independent clauses together. These clauses are similar to each other as they both refer to the topic of the sentence (Fred and George’s behavior). Example Sentence #2: “Harry, Ron, and Hermione met when they were young; they are all now grown up with their own children.” In this example, the semi-colon is in between the two clauses, representing the connection the two subjects share to the readers. If these two clauses were separated by a period, it would be seen as grammatically correct. Though using a semi- colon in a sentence like this, where the two independent clauses have a linking topic, shows variety, fluidly, and a sense of connection in your writing.
The Colon:
A Colon is used to introduce a single component or several elements that explain or add detail to the sentence that came prior to the colon. The colon is most used to introduce things on a list, an item, or in a quote. Example Sentence #1: Albus Dumbledore once gave Harry some wise advice: “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” This example is a correct use of the colon because the complete sentence in the example, is being used to introduce a quotation, so in this case, you use a colon between the two clauses. You do this because the colon directs the readers to the number of elements that follows while explaining (going into detail) about the context that is before the colon. In this example, the elements after the colon explain what Albus Dumbledore told Harry. Maybe Albus Dumbledore should have told harry to use the comma correctly instead. Example Sentence #2: “For Hermione’s potion class she brought multiple items: her quill, spell books, and wand.” In this example, the colon is properly doing its job by introducing the series of elements (Hermione brought to class) and explaining/adding detail to the sentence that came prior to the colon. The colon in this sentence is properly directing the reader to the information, (list) that follows.
#5 Test Questions
1. Hermione’s favorite subject is Arithmancy, she practices her skills on the divination of numbers. How can we grammatically fix the punctuation used in this sentence?
Answer: Hermione’s favorite subject is Arithmancy; she practices her skills in the divination of numbers. In this sentence use a semi-colon instead of a comma in between the two clauses.
2. For dinner, the Weasley’s had: chicken-and-ham pie, bacon sandwiches, and roast potatoes. How is the colon in this sentence being grammatically misused? how can we fix this sentence?
Answer: The Weasley’s had lots to eat for dinner: chicken-and-ham pie, bacon sandwiches, and roast potatoes. When using a colon, the crucial rule to remember is that the piece of punctuation always has to go after a complete sentence.
3. Should we use a colon or a semi-colon in this sentence structure? “Harry, Ron, and Hermione met when they were young ___ they are all now grown up with their own children.”
a. Colon
b. Semi-Colon
Answer: b. Semi-Colon
We use a semi-colon because the sentence is not in a list format and does not include two complete sentences. In this sentence, there are two related independent clauses that can be connected together by a semi-colon.
4. An Oxford Comma can be used in a sentence to make sure there is no misunderstandings shown in the context. What terms would you put the oxford comma between in this question? Question: Harry Potter loves his parents, Hedwig and Ginny.
Answer: You place the Oxford Comma right after Hedwig. Harry Potter loves his parents, Hedwig, and Ginny. By using the Oxford Comma correctly, you show that Hedwig and Ginny are not Harry’s parents, but instead that he loves them all separately.
5. Is this example shown an incorrect use of parallel structure in a sentence structure? “Draco likes picking on Harry, joking with his friends, and to tell his father about his ”
a. True
b. False
Answer: b. False
This sentence is an incorrect example of parallel structure since the word “tell” in this sentence is in an infinitive form, while the rest of the sentence is shown to be in a present participle form. Therefore, this sentence does not have parallelism.
Dear future Jaime,
We finally met again, after all this time. It’s me. I know you don’t know who I am, but I hope this letter will explain everything…
Right now, you’ve probably just found and opened this abandoned envelope. Its edges are creased with age and a sweet musky scent wafts into your nose. It’s been forgotten as days, months, and years have passed by. Before you found this hidden envelope, you probably were browsing through empty boxes, full of sweet memories from past days and childhood dreams. You smile as you reminisce on your vivid youth. But, little do you know as you scrummage through these old storage boxes, each containing handwritten worksheet and scribbly notes, one contains an aged envelope. An envelope that carries an important piece of your life.
Your hand reaches down to the very bottom of the box, and you felt a course seal graze your fingers. Tucked away from the outside world you find a letter, covered by piles of crumpled paper. Knowing you better than anyone else, I know you’re intrigued. Staring down at the crinkled paper in your hand, curiosity twinkling in your ocean blue eyes. You eagerly bring the envelope up into the light and then carefully peel the stubborn seal open. Your desperate to know what’s inside this neglected envelope. What part of yourself has been hidden away for the past few years.
Reaching inside you find a neatly folded white sheet of paper. Unfolding it slowly, your eyes scan over the typed print in fascination. Reading through this now, your curiosity is probably eating away at you, your restless to know who this is from. Well, this letter is no ordinary old assignment or essay. This letter is a part of you. This letter is from someone you used to be. This is a letter from your grade nine self.
You’ve probably forgotten all about me. As long days of high school have risen with the glowing sun and set with the sweeping dusk. Some of these days I’m sure were the most enjoyable days of your life. Days where excitement coursed through your veins, joy fluttered in your heart, and an undeniably bright smile lights up your face. You understood what happiness truly was on those days. While other days brought darkness to your warm light. You felt as if you wanted; no, needed to run away from everything. Hide from the cruel world. Your spirit was broken, heart crushed, and you felt as if you were watching everything crumbling down.
I hope through high school you’ve experienced both of these kinds of days and instead of cowering from your hardships, you learned over time to live for the good days and learn from the bad. Leaving the busy corridors of our high school days behind, I want you to understand that we are never truly ready for new beginnings. Stepping into the great unknown. And that’s okay. The future is so vast and uncertain. We can’t predict exactly how our life is going to end up. So, all we can do is live each day to the fullest and learn to not fear what we can’t control. Because through my life so far I have learned that the best things in life are the things we least expect.
You completed the journey from going to a silly, unconfident, curious, and unsure teenager, and transforming into a confident, sophisticated, and strong young adult ready to face the world. The pathway to finding yourself was probably a thrilling but difficult one. I’m sure you faced trials and tribulations, but I know deep down in my heart that you got through it all. You climbed mountains and then reached the top with a cheerful smile on your face. When something felt impossible, you never gave up. You came back stronger than ever before. I know you did.
So far, I’ve enjoyed the beginning of high school, but I find at the beginning of every new adventure, it can be very difficult to begin again. New experiences can change your whole outlook on life. When you’re so used to the same routine, classes, friends, and activities, you can’t imagine your life without the things that you hold onto dearly. The constants in our life.
It feels like your swimming aimlessly in the beautiful ocean, looking around, staring in awe at the beautiful scenery around you. Everything seems so thrilling and beautiful. But as you travel deeper into the horizon, craving more, you finally lookup to discover the safety of the shore, the only thing that tugged you to reality, is out of sight. All you can see is a body of unknown deep blue. At that very moment, you panic, realizing that everything around you is different and there is nothing you can do to change it back. As you continue to drift away, you feel so isolated. Alone. Lost. Do you remember that feeling? I do.
Change is terrifying, but I believe that change is something that we all need. Everyone wants to stay in their comfort zone. Its secure, predictable, safe. But change is an amazing part of life. It helps us learn who we are and grow into the person we hope to be. I hope that our high school life was full of new experiences and change. I might not be ready to accept change now, but one day I know I will. I have so many unanswered questions for you, I don’t even know where to start.
First of all, what does it feel like to be in love and have someone love you back unconditionally? I asked our mom what being in love felt like. She told me one day I would know for myself. I want to be in love so badly. I want to be vulnerable and open enough to tell someone I love them and for them to say it back. Our mom said that being in love is the best feeling in the world. That you feel as if you’re overflowing with happiness. Your heart gallops furiously and there is a slow-burning fire in your soul. You feel like you would do anything…or be anything for that person. Is that what love feels like to you? Is it as spectacular as people say?
Though with love I realize comes heartbreak. This might sound awful, but I want to experience heartbreak. I feel as if heartbreak is inevitable in our lives, no matter how much we fight and run from love to avoid getting our hearts broken. We all need to rely on, care and trust others to make it through each day. We all need love. But sometimes trusting someone can mean that they have the power to hurt you and let you down, and that can be a horrible feeling. With all this said though, I don’t fear heartbreak because it makes us stronger. It tells us to keep fighting. I hope you can still say the same.
I wish you the best as you step away from the carefree sanctuary of childhood and into the unsheltered world of adulthood, I want you to remember that life is what you make it. With that in mind don’t fear change but embrace it, to be confident in who you are, take risks, do what makes you happy, smile at strangers, tell the person that you love, that you love them back, and don’t stop fear from chasing your dreams. I’m going to make sure I enjoy the rest of secondary school, I promise. But you must promise me that you’ll be brave, You’ll be true to yourself, and you will be happy.
I believe in you.
From your biggest supporter and devoted self:
Jaime Le Roy