Post #5 by J.B. (A/F Block) A fragment does not have an independent clause in it. Fragments can be pieces that have been disconnected from the main clause. To fix a sentence like this you remove the words in between the main clause and the broken piece. A fragment fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself. Sometimes a fragment misses a subject and verb relationship. Fragments have a subject and a verb so they look like a good sentence but they are not. To be a good sentence fragments have to express a complete thought. To identify the fragment, look for a subject, verb, and a complete thought. You can eliminate or put words in the sentence to fix a fragment. There is a debate going on all the time: speaking fragments vs. writing fragments. We speak in fragments all the time like when someone asks you, "How are you doing?" You say, "Good." The people for making it okay to write in fragments say, "We speak in fragments. Why can't we write in fragments?" The people for just speaking, and NOT writing in fragments, say, "We already talk in fragments. Why should we write in them?" The people for just speaking fragments and NOT writing fragments also say, "When we write a story it is there for forever, but when we respond to someone saying, 'Good,' only that person hears it.

Post #4 - Written by F.T. (C/D Block) Fragments are parts of a sentence. They are not a full sentences, nor are they full thoughts. The only way to make a fragment a full sentence, or to complete the thought, is to add more words. For example, ‘very thirsty’ would be a fragment. You don’t know who this fragment is about as it is missing a subject. To complete that sentence fragment you have to add some words. It could be, “I am very thirsty,” or, “Mary is very thirsty,” to become a full sentence. There is no controversy that sentence fragments are incorrect grammar and should be completed. Writers, however, use sentence fragments regularly when writing in conversation because people talk using fragments all the time. They may also use fragments to emphasize their points. For example, they may end a paragraph with, “Shocking!” or “Beyond scary!” to make their point stronger. Fragments are used in the same way in other languages. “Grammar Vids for Kids: Sentence Fragments.” YouTube. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. . “Sentence Fragments.” Purdue Owl. Web. 27 July. 2011. .

Run-Ons: Written versus Spoken Language

Post #3 (Mrs. Adkins, with ideas borrowed from L.R. - C/D Bell) One point which I consider incredibly interesting from a post written by L.R. is that run-on sentences are used in literature to "speak for someone" (as L.R. wrote). Authors may use run-on sentences to show the process of thinking through an idea. An author may also use a run-on sentence to show hurried or confused speech or dialogue. L.R. made the point that when people are talking, "they are often using run-on sentences." Well, not necessarily, but L.R.'s idea about run-on sentences in speech and literature shows that authors often have a specific purpose in their writing. The author is most likely using run-on sentences to convey a certain idea. The difference between spoken and written language is also highlighted by L.R.'s thought. One may choose to speak in run-on sentences (which probably does not happen as often as we think), but one may not write in run-on sentences without a literary intention (at least, not in the 6th grade at The Summit Country Day School)! Sources for L.R.'s article: "Definition of Run-On Sentence." Google. Web. 2 December 2012. "Run-On Sentence." Wikipedia. 1 December 2012. Web. 2 December 2012.

More Information about Run-On Sentences

Post #2 Written by D.B. (E/B Bell)

A run on sentence is when two independent clauses are joined without the proper use of a conjunction or punctuation. An author would not use it unless he was being incredibly descriptive, usually using multiple “ands.” There doesn’t seem to be a controversy because run-on sentences are unacceptable. It works the same in other languages but doesn’t matter as much. Nobody really thinks run-on sentences should be used. The only times run-ons are used commonly is when the author is being descriptive. Run on sentences are usually considered a stylistic error. People think that run on sentences are just long sentences, but really they can be only 4 words long such as: “I run, she walks.” Sources: grammar.ccc.comment.edu; owl.english.purdue.edu