The Ged Language Arts, Writing Test
The GED Language Arts, Writing Test
Effective Sentences
Frances L. Roberson, M.A.
ABE/ASE/GED/ESL Teacher Vocational Counselor Grant Writing Specialist California Distance Learning Project www.cdlponline.org
1
GED Video Partner
#7 Passing the GED Writing Test
I didn 't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead. Mark Twain
Video 7 Focus: Well-constructed sentences are the foundation of clear writing.
You Will Learn From Video 7: What makes a good sentence. How to recognize fragments and run-ons. How sentence length affects the sentence’s rhythm and reader’s impression. About simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Words You Need to Know: While viewing the video, fill in the blank with the correct word. Answers are on page 13. 1. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete ___________. 2. A good sentence has to be __________, __________ and have a theme the same way an essay does. 3. The two components of a sentence are ______________ and ______________. 4. Good writing begins with ___________ and thoughtful ______________.
Points to Remember: • You can easily follow a correct sentence from beginning to end. • A “primitive” command sentence will have few words and an implied “you.” • Fragments are sometimes used in dialog, for emphasis, and to get attention.
2
A Good Sentence
After the initial work of conceiving ideas and thoughtfully organizing them, then it’s time to get down to work and create sentences and paragraphs that will communicate to the reader the ideas you have. Each sentence, in its own way, tells a story. For it to be effective in telling the story, you must be able to put the sentence together, scrutinize it, and correct any problems the sentence might have. Unlike spoken language, written language does not give the luxury of a back and forth exchange. It is not possible to know if the reader understands, nor is it possible to go back and fill in the
Effective Sentences
Frances L. Roberson, M.A.
ABE/ASE/GED/ESL Teacher Vocational Counselor Grant Writing Specialist California Distance Learning Project www.cdlponline.org
1
GED Video Partner
#7 Passing the GED Writing Test
I didn 't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead. Mark Twain
Video 7 Focus: Well-constructed sentences are the foundation of clear writing.
You Will Learn From Video 7: What makes a good sentence. How to recognize fragments and run-ons. How sentence length affects the sentence’s rhythm and reader’s impression. About simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Words You Need to Know: While viewing the video, fill in the blank with the correct word. Answers are on page 13. 1. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete ___________. 2. A good sentence has to be __________, __________ and have a theme the same way an essay does. 3. The two components of a sentence are ______________ and ______________. 4. Good writing begins with ___________ and thoughtful ______________.
Points to Remember: • You can easily follow a correct sentence from beginning to end. • A “primitive” command sentence will have few words and an implied “you.” • Fragments are sometimes used in dialog, for emphasis, and to get attention.
2
A Good Sentence
After the initial work of conceiving ideas and thoughtfully organizing them, then it’s time to get down to work and create sentences and paragraphs that will communicate to the reader the ideas you have. Each sentence, in its own way, tells a story. For it to be effective in telling the story, you must be able to put the sentence together, scrutinize it, and correct any problems the sentence might have. Unlike spoken language, written language does not give the luxury of a back and forth exchange. It is not possible to know if the reader understands, nor is it possible to go back and fill in the