The Composition final exam will count as 20% of your semester grade and will be made up of two parts: sentence diagramming and an expository timed writing.
The exam will be taken on Wednesday, 12/17.
Part 1: Sentence Diagramming
Demonstrate your understanding of parts of speech, parts of sentence, and phrases by diagramming sentences containing the following sentence parts and phrases:
We will review diagramming each day leading up to the final. Also, sections on sentence diagramming are found in Grammar for Writing pp. 54-57 and pp. 80-83
- subject
- predicate
- direct object
- indirect object
- subject complement
- compound sentence parts
- prepositional phrase
- appositive phrase
- participial phrase
- gerund phrase
- infinitive phrase
We will review diagramming each day leading up to the final. Also, sections on sentence diagramming are found in Grammar for Writing pp. 54-57 and pp. 80-83
Part 2: Expository Writing
To demonstrate your understanding of the writing process, complete a 30-minute timed writing. Select one of the prompts provided, generate ideas using a prewriting technique, draft and revise your writing before submitting.
You will choose from three topics similar to this one:
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Prompt:
This quotation demonstrates the positive effects of speaking kindly. Do you agree with Mother Teresa that kind words are easily spoken and long-lasting? Write about a time when you spoke kindly to someone, or someone offered words of encouragement to you. In your essay, describe the incident, provide specific details, and explain the impact that the person’s words had on you or the other person.
We will practice short timed writings in class leading up to the final.
You will choose from three topics similar to this one:
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Prompt:
This quotation demonstrates the positive effects of speaking kindly. Do you agree with Mother Teresa that kind words are easily spoken and long-lasting? Write about a time when you spoke kindly to someone, or someone offered words of encouragement to you. In your essay, describe the incident, provide specific details, and explain the impact that the person’s words had on you or the other person.
We will practice short timed writings in class leading up to the final.
Sentence Diagramming Review
Diagramming compound sentence parts (subjects, predicates, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, subject complements.
1. Snow and rain were failing at the same time.
2. Agile acrobats performed in the ring and drew enthusiastic applause.
3. Students researched transportation, schedules, and prices.
4. Some resources gave us and our teachers useful facts.
5. She has always been honest and loyal.
2. Agile acrobats performed in the ring and drew enthusiastic applause.
3. Students researched transportation, schedules, and prices.
4. Some resources gave us and our teachers useful facts.
5. She has always been honest and loyal.
Diagramming Participles and Participle Phrases
1. A crane lifted the fallen trees from the road.
2. The first aircraft carrying people rose into the air in November of 1783.
3. Perhaps an experienced jeweler can repair the broken chain.
4. The aircraft was a basket lifted by a balloon.
1. A crane lifted the fallen trees from the road.
2. The first aircraft carrying people rose into the air in November of 1783.
3. Perhaps an experienced jeweler can repair the broken chain.
4. The aircraft was a basket lifted by a balloon.
Diagramming Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
1. Judging any contest well demands fairness.
2. The coach suggested giving he players extra practice.
3. Jerry's latest passion is climbing cliffs at the park.
4. The speaker talked about photographing wild animals in Africa.
1. Judging any contest well demands fairness.
2. The coach suggested giving he players extra practice.
3. Jerry's latest passion is climbing cliffs at the park.
4. The speaker talked about photographing wild animals in Africa.
Diagramming Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
1. Word leaders gathered to negotiate a treaty.
2. The session to debate the terms of the treaty begins soon.
3. My brother likes to study American history..
4. The goal of the rally was to protest the grand jury's finding.
1. Word leaders gathered to negotiate a treaty.
2. The session to debate the terms of the treaty begins soon.
3. My brother likes to study American history..
4. The goal of the rally was to protest the grand jury's finding.