Grammar #12

Run-on sentences and comma splices.

These are two of the most common grammatical errors in writing. I know this because my Microsoft Word always points mine out to me. A run-on sentence is a sentence with two different independent clauses that aren't conjoined by the proper conjunction, or aren't separated with the proper punctuation. Similarly, a comma splice is a basically a run-on sentence that was attempted to be conjoined by a comma, but failed. The best way to fix either is to either separate the run-on sentence with a period, or add the appropriate conjunction; but, or, nor, for, and, yet, so. A comma splice can be fixed similarly, or can be fixed by adding a semicolon.
Adding things like adverbs and adjectives to try and fix a run-on sentence or comma splice do nothing to fix it. Only the approriate words, punctuations, and conjuntions can fix them.

Here are a few examples.

Run-un sentence.
Incorrect: I study hard, I like to study up to eight hours a day.
Correct: I study hard. I like to study either hours a day. (Seperated with a period)

Comma splice.
Incorrect: I study hard, I like to study up to eight hours a day.
Correct: I study hard; I like to study up to eight hours a day.

This website gave me great, and yet, simple insight into the use of these two very complex grammatical tools.

http://www.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules/5-most-common.html

Psychology

There are many different aspects of psychology. They span in many different directions, and can be divided into many different fields. So in brainstorming for this assignment I have formulated a few questions to help shed some light on this intense and curious subject.
What would drive someone to go into the field of Psychology, and what makes them decide which branch of it to study?
What are some of the most common challenges of a pyschologist both academically and in the field? How many new studies in psychology are done each year? Who are the most common patients for a pyschologist? When do pyschologists retire? Where do most of a pyschologists studies occur?
These are but a few of the many questions about pyschology. I'd like to try and identify one of these and work with it

A Night At Cambridge

Settling myself on the hard benches at the Tabernacle, I prepared myself for a dull evening of tuning myself out. A professor from University of Cambridge, England was making a special appearance to speak to the community, and any college or staff members from Dixie State College. Imagining a boring lecture, from a dried-up old prune, I was expecting the worst. I was pleasantly surprised when one of our English professors started to host the Event. He was so entertainingly scatter-brained, that it set the humour for the whole evening. Expecting a much more serious and uptight event, it was a nice surprise to see laughter in the audience. The first part, and my favorite part, was a back to back recital by two professors of music. One, a master of the violin, and the other, a master of the piano, two of my favorite instruments. Introducing a piece from Beethoven, I was able to close my eyes and picture myself at 18th centuary orchestra. The music was amazing.
We had a beauiful look through a slideshow of the Enlgish country surrounding Cambridge. Marvelous shades of green, and hues of different flowers amazed me. Followed by a humurous presentation by the main event Professor from Cambridge. Quirky and funny, he displayed a cast amount of knowledge, coupled with an English accent that only augmented his intellect and mystery. It was a fun night for many of all ages. I won't forgt this night ever, and the University of Cambridge is looking a lot more interseting.

Grammar #11

Allusion vs. Illusion.

I never understood what an allusion could mean, so I have not ever used in English, or in any of my writings. I know an Illusion can be thought of as misleading, false, or more commonly understood to me, as a magic trick. An allusion, on the other hand, is a hint or a reference to something.

Illusion: "He though he saw an oasis in the distance, but mirages are only illusions."

Allusion: "Speaking about hunger, and non-violent protest, the news anchor made an allusion to Ghandi."

This site helped me understand more about what the difference between the two is.

http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/allusionterm.htm

Remember, "an allusion which is explained no longer has the charm of allusion. . . . In divulging the mystery, you withdraw its virtue."(Jean Paulhan)

Grammar #10

Commas are an essential tool for any writer. They are both useful in the flow, and help to show the bodies of a sentence. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these conjunctions: but, or, nor, for, and, yet, so. I like to think of them in this order as saying "bonfires". Also, use commas after an introductory phrase or clause.
Clause: "While I was studying, someone knocked on my door."
A good way to help remember when to use a comma after a clause, is looking for their common starter words; after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.
Introductory phrase: "Having finished eating, I got up and left."
There are also a list of common starter words. To name a few; although, well, however.
The use of commas is essential in English, as well as Latin based languages.

This site was fun and easy to understand, and really helped me to understand a lot about how a comma works

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html