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How to Avoid Dangling Modifiers | No Nonsense Grammar

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

How to Avoid Dangling Modifiers | No Nonsense Grammar

URL:

https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/no-nonsense-grammar-dangling-modifiers/how-to-avoid-dangling-modifiers-no-nonsense-grammar/

Content Source:

PBS

Type:

Audio/Video

Overview:

Modifiers are phrases, clauses, or even just words that add a description. In clear sentences, modifiers are next to the target words they are describing. Dangling modifiers are modifiers with no target to describe, which can confuse many readers. This resource provides instruction and practice in evaluating phrases and clauses.

Content Standard(s):

English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 7

21. Create written work using standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

a. Revise their own writing using correct mechanics with a focus on commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and semicolons.

b. Construct simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to represent relationships among ideas.

c. Embed phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced or dangling modifiers.

Unpacked Content

Teacher Vocabulary:

21.

Standard English grammar
Standard English usage
Standard English mechanics

21a.

Revise
Mechanics
Commas
Apostrophes
Quotation marks
Colons
Semicolons

21b.

Simple sentences
Compound sentences
Complex sentences
Compound-complex sentences

21c.

Phrases
Clauses
Misplaced modifiers
Dangling modifiers

Knowledge:

21. Students know:

The conventions of written standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

21a.

The proper usage of commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and semicolons.
Strategies to correct punctuation mistakes during the revision process.

21b.

Strategies to write simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences to express relationships between ideas in writing.

21c.

Strategies to embed phrases and clauses within a sentence.
The correct usage of modifiers.
Methods to correct misplaced or dangling modifiers.

Skills:

21. Students are able to:

Demonstrate written command of standard English, grammar, usage, and mechanics.

21a.

Revise their own writing with particular emphasis on the proper use of various punctuation marks.

21b.

Construct various types of sentences to represent the relationships among ideas, including simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences.

21c.

Embed phrases and clauses in their own writing.
Revise writing to correct the misuse of modifiers.

Understanding:

21. Students understand that:

To clearly communicate in writing, they must use standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

21a.

Specific rules for proper usage exist with various forms of punctuation.
Revision is an important component of the writing process to ensure accurate use of punctuation.

21b.

Using different sentence types in their writing can show relationships among ideas.
Different sentence types have different impacts on the overall meaning and organization of writing.

21c.

Phrases and clauses are impactful elements of writing.
Dangling and misplaced modifiers distract from meaning and clarity of their writing.

Tags:

License Type:

Custom Permission Type
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For full descriptions of license types and a guide to usage, visit :
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Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings

Comments

Handouts and materials associated with this resource can be found to the right of the video under the heading, "Support Materials for Use with Students".

This resource provided by:

Author:

Jessica Byrd

ALEX Classroom Resource

How to Avoid Dangling Modifiers | No Nonsense Grammar