Writing Center
Workshop Lesson Plan
Fixing Fragments and Run-ons
Lesson Objectives:
1. To clearly define a complete sentence, a sentence fragment, and a run-on sentence
2. To illustrate the confusion created by fragments and run-ons
3. To provide strategies to prevent and correct both fragments and run-ons
Preparation: Print materials and cut the Warm-Up activity if this has not been done already; there are four
exercises on a single page. Review the lecture notes and answer key for practice activities.
Handouts: Warm-up Activity, Student Handout, and Practice Activity
Technology: N/A
Introductory Activity: 5-10 minutes
1. Introduce yourself, the Writing Center, and the lesson
2. Student introductions – name and class
3. Distribute Warm-up Activity and instruct students to fix the sentences to the best of their ability
4. Review correct answers and explain the changes that are required to avoid run-on sentences and
sentence fragments. Use this point to transition into the lecture
Lecture Notes: 20-25 minutes
1. Review definitions and examples of fragments and run-ons
2. Demonstrate ways to fix run-ons and fragments. Apply these to examples in the warm-up activity
Practice Activity: 20-25 minutes
1. Individual practice – Student Activity worksheet
a. Have students identify if the sentences are run-ons, fragments, or complete sentences with
proper punctuation. If time allows, have students correct them
b. Have students correct the paragraph with run-on sentences and sentence fragments using
sentence combining and/or adding/deleting information – use the subordinating conjunction
sheet on back of exercises as needed
Closing Notes: 5 minutes
1. Review main ideas of lesson
2. Take any last questions
3. Encourage students to come back to the Writing Center
Opportunities for Additional Practice: Visit Purdue Owl and the Writing Center for more practice
Writing Center
Workshop Lesson: Fixing Fragments & Run-ons
Student Activity: Warm-Up
Cut this page into fourths for students. Have them fix these sentences and make them grammatically
correct.
Because his car was in the shop.
Running down the street.
The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t stop
barking.
School important.
The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before
7:15.
In school homework is important teachers give you the
assignment you go home and complete the assignment.
Judy has a lucky life, she never seems to have a
serious accident.
Because his car was in the shop.
Running down the street.
The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t stop
barking.
School important.
The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before
7:15.
In school homework is important teachers give you the
assignment you go home and complete the
assignment.
Judy has a lucky life, she never seems to have a
serious accident.
Because his car was in the shop.
Running down the street.
The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t stop
barking.
School important.
The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before
7:15.
In school homework is important teachers give you the
assignment you go home and complete the
assignment.
Judy has a lucky life, she never seems to have a
serious accident.
Because his car was in the shop.
Running down the street.
The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t stop
barking.
School important.
The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before
7:15.
In school homework is important teachers give you the
assignment you go home and complete the
assignment.
Judy has a lucky life, she never seems to have a
serious accident.
Writing Center
Workshop: Fixing Fragments & Run-ons
Lecture Notes
**Highlighted sections are not on the Student Handout.
Warm Up Explanation
Because his car was in the shop. (What did he
do before his car was in the shop?)
Running down the street. (This is a noun
phrase with a present participle.)
The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t
stop barking. (What is the dog doing? There is
no verb here, and “that” creates an adjective
clause.)
School important. (The verb is missing.
Should be “School is important.”)
The show begins at 7:30. Make sure you're
there before 7:15.
In school, homework is important. Teachers
give you many assignments. You go home
and complete the assignment.
Judy has a lucky life. She never seems to have
a serious accident.
(NOTE: There are multiple ways to correct
these run-ons.)
On the left side of your handout are sentence fragments. None of the sentences express a complete
thought because an essential part is missing - either the verb or an independent clause.
On the right side of your handout are run-on sentences. Each sentence on the right has two subjects or
two complete ideas that are not separated by a period.
(Explain the difference briefly and elaborate using the rules listed below.)
A fragment is a word or group of words that do not form a complete sentence.
There are three requirements for a complete sentence:
1. A verb
2. A subject
3. A complete thought
Fragment Errors
1. A dependent clause
trying to be a sentence
Example: Since the
candidate was a graduate
of Wayne Community
College in 1985.
This fragment has a subject
and a verb, but the
subordinating conjunction
at the beginning (since)
makes it an incomplete
thought that cannot stand
on its own.
2. Present participle
(-ing verb) in noun
phrase
Example:
Approximately 275
students graduating
with degrees in college
transfer programs.
In this type of fragment,
there is not a subject and
a verb. The problem is
the –ing verb used alone
in the sentence. To
correct the problem, you
could change the –ing
verb to another verb, add
a helping verb, or use the
-ing verb as an adjective
describing the subject and
add a whole new verb for
the sentence.
3. Embedding the
fragment
Example: The fact that
famous people make
reckless life decisions.
Has become
increasingly more
evident.
This example really
contains two fragments.
One part contains the
subject set up as a
sentence, and the other
part contains the verb set
up as a sentence.
4. A modifier that is cut-
off
Example: Known to
many as the godfather of
soul. James Brown is
gaining a reputation for
domestic abuse.
There is more than one
way to connect the
modifier to the sentence.
Note: Commands are not considered sentence fragments. A command such as “Hurry Up!” or “Sit
down!” has an implied subject of you (the listener). Despite seeming like they don’t have a subject,
commands are complete sentences.
Ways to Fix Sentence Fragments
1. Add a verb.
a. School is important.
b. Running down the street made me tired.
c. The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t stop barking kept me up all night.
2. Connect fragments together.
a. The fact that famous people make reckless life decisions has become increasingly
more evident.
b. Known to many as the godfather of soul, James Brown is gaining a reputation for
domestic abuse.
3. Make sure each dependent clause is connected to an independent clause. (Watch
your subordinating conjunctions – give out the sheet listing these)
a. Because his car was in the shop, we needed to take the bus.
b. Since the candidate was a graduate of Wayne Community College in 1985, she
had a good chance of getting the job.
Run-On Errors
A run-on is the result of connecting two complete sentences with a comma (which is then called a
comma splice) or connecting two complete sentences with no punctuation.
Fused sentence: two main clauses connected with no punctuation
The new mini-semester will help students graduate earlier the first mini-semester won’t begin
until Fall 2005.
Comma splice: the use of a comma to join two independent clauses
This weekend’s weather forecast is very cold, it is likely to snow.
More than one idea: Run-on sentences many suffer from both of the above issues as writers attempt to
put more than one idea in a sentence.
Please do not talk on your cell phone on the train because sometimes when you are on your phone
you may disrupt someone, that someone could be trying to relax after a long day of work.
Ways to Fix Run-Ons
1. Break them into two sentences.
a. Judy has a lucky life. She never seems to have a serious accident.
2. Connect them with a comma and coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.
a. The show begins at 7:30, so make sure you're there before 7:15.
b. This weekend’s weather forecast is very cold, and it is likely to snow.
c. This weekend’s weather forecast is very cold; it is likely to snow.
3. Connect dependent clauses to independent clauses using subordinating conjunctions
(since, before, after, because, although, even though, etc.) Students will have a list of
conjunctions on the back of their handout. REMEMBER: If the dependent clause
comes first, use a comma. If it comes second, do not use a comma.
a. Because the show begins at 7:30, make sure you're there before 7:15.
b. Since the weekend’s weather forecast is very cold, it is likely to snow.
c. Judy has a lucky life because she never seems to have a serious accident.
d. The new mini-semester will help students graduate earlier even though the first
mini-semester won’t begin until fall 2005.
Writing Center
Workshop Lesson: Fixing Fragments & Run-ons
Student Handout
Fragments
A fragment is a word or group of words that do not form a complete sentence. There are three
requirements for a complete sentence: a verb, a subject, and a complete thought.
Fragment Errors
1. A dependent clause
trying to be a sentence
Example: Since the
candidate was a graduate
of Wayne Community
College in 1985.
2. Present participle
(-ing verb) in noun
phrase
Example:
Approximately 275
students graduating
with degrees in college
transfer programs.
3. Embedding the
fragment
Example: The fact that
famous people make
reckless life decisions.
Has become
increasingly more
evident.
4. A modifier that is cut-
off
Example: Known to
many as the godfather of
soul. James Brown is
gaining a reputation for
domestic abuse.
Note: Commands are not considered sentence fragments. A command such as “Hurry Up!” or “Sit
down!” has an implied subject of you (the listener). Despite seeming like they don’t have a subject,
commands are complete sentences.
Ways to Fix Sentence Fragments
1. Add a verb.
a. School is important.
b. Running down the street made me tired.
c. The dog with the yellow collar that wouldn’t stop barking kept me up all night.
2. Connect fragments together.
a. The fact that famous people make reckless life decisions has become increasingly
more evident.
b. Known to many as the godfather of soul, James Brown is gaining a reputation for
domestic abuse.
3. Make sure each dependent clause is connected to an independent clause. (Watch your
subordinating conjunctions – give out the sheet listing these)
a. Because his car was in the shop, we needed to take the bus.
b. Since the candidate was a graduate of Wayne Community College in 1985, she had a
good chance of getting the job.
Run-On Sentences
A run-on is the result of connecting two complete sentences with a comma (which is then called a
comma splice) or connecting two complete sentences with no punctuation.
Fused sentence: two main clauses connected with no punctuation
The new mini-semester will help students graduate earlier the first mini-semester won’t begin
until Fall 2005.
Comma splice: the use of a comma to join two independent clauses
This weekend’s weather forecast is very cold, it is likely to snow.
More than one idea: Run-on sentences many suffer from both of the above issues as writers attempt to
put more than one idea in a sentence.
Please do not talk on your cell phone on the train because sometimes when you are on your phone
you may disrupt someone, that someone could be trying to relax after a long day of work.
Ways to Fix Run-Ons
1. Break them into two sentences.
a. Judy has a lucky life. She never seems to have a serious accident.
2. Connect them with a comma and coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor,
but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.
a. The show begins at 7:30, so make sure you're there before 7:15.
b. This weekend’s weather forecast is very cold, and it is likely to snow.
c. This weekend’s weather forecast is very cold; it is likely to snow.
3. Connect dependent clauses to independent clauses using subordinating conjunctions
(since, before, after, because, although, even though, etc.) Students will have a list of
conjunctions on the back of their handout. REMEMBER: If the dependent clause
comes first, use a comma. If it comes second, do not use a comma.
a. Because the show begins at 7:30, make sure you're there before 7:15.
b. Since the weekend’s weather forecast is very cold, it is likely to snow.
c. Judy has a lucky life because she never seems to have a serious accident.
d. The new mini-semester will help students graduate earlier even though the first mini-
semester won’t begin until fall 2005.
Writing Center
Workshop Lesson: Fixing Fragments & Run-Ons
Practice Activity
Remember a complete sentence must have a:
• Subject
• Verb
• Complete thought
If a sentence is missing one of the above, it is a fragment. If it has more than one complete thought
without proper punctuation, it is a run-on.
In the below sentences, identify if the sentence is a run-on (RO), a fragment (F), or complete (C).
_____1. The man that I saw yesterday.
_____2. He is not an exceptional student, he is only average.
_____3. To know everything is quite impossible.
_____4. Because I have no time.
_____5. Sitting in my car waiting for the traffic light to change.
_____6. The rainfall this year was abundant the crops will be plentiful.
_____7. Having finished her dinner, Joy sat down to an evening of television.
_____8. America, the greatest country in the world.
_____9. I went in, I bought the gift I drove straight home.
_____10. Let’s go!
Identify and correct the fragments and run-ons in the following paragraph.
Autumn is a beautiful time in the city. The weather is changing from the scorching summer heat
to the frigid winter cold, the temperature is just right. There are so many things to love about autumn.
The colorful leaves, the crisp smell, football. Autumn is my favorite season. Some people call it fall, but
I find this to be inaccurate. Although the leaves fall. I feel very alive. Autumn also provides great time
for reflection I think about what I have accomplished so far this year. I usually do this on long walks
outside. Because I may not be outside for very long during the winter. The cold keeps me bundled up on
the couch. Clinging to my television remote. But the cool autumn air on my skin and looking up at the
sun as the leaves rattle in the breeze. Autumn has a special place in my heart, I enjoy every minute of it I
can.
Table of Subordinating Conjunctions
Condition
Time Words
Results/Consequences
Restate
If
Even If
Unless
Whether
Before
After
While
Until
Previously
Meanwhile
After that
Next
Since then
Because
Since
Now that
That is to say
In other words
In fact
Additional
Opposite of
expected
Contrast/Opposite
Illustrate/Show
The
Same/Similar
And
Furthermore
Moreover
Also
In addition
Although
Though
Even though
Nevertheless
Ever so
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Though
In contrast
On the contrary
On the other hand
Instead
However
Still
Otherwise
For example
To illustrate
For instance
To demonstrate
Just as
Similarly
Likewise
In the same
way
Truman College Writing Center
Workshop Lesson: Fixing Fragments & Run-Ons
Practice Activity ANSWER KEY
Remember a complete sentence must have a:
• Subject
• Verb
• Complete thought
If a sentence is missing one of the above, it is a fragment. If it has more than one complete thought
without proper punctuation, it is a run-on.
In the below sentences, identify if the sentence is a run-on (RO), a fragment (F), or complete (C).
__F___1. The man that I saw yesterday.
__RO___2. He is not an exceptional student, he is only average.
__C___3. To know everything is quite impossible.
__F___4. Because I have no time.
__F___5. Sitting in my car waiting for the traffic light to change.
__RO___6. The rainfall this year was abundant the crops will be plentiful.
__C___7. Having finished her dinner, Joy sat down to an evening of television.
__F___8. America, the greatest country in the world.
__RO___9. I went in, I bought the gift I drove straight home.
__C___10. Let’s go!
Identify and correct the fragments and run-ons in the following paragraph.
Autumn is a beautiful time in the city. The weather is changing from the scorching summer heat
to the frigid winter cold, [RO] the temperature is just right. There are so many things to love about
autumn. The colorful leaves, the crisp smell, football [F]. Autumn is my favorite season. Some people
call it fall, but I find this to be inaccurate. Although the leaves fall. I feel very alive. Autumn also
provides great time for reflection [RO] I think about what I have accomplished so far this year. I
usually do this on long walks outside. Because I may not be outside for very long during the winter
[F]. The cold keeps me bundled up on the couch. Clinging to my television remote [F]. But the cool
autumn air on my skin and looking up at the sun as the leaves rattle in the breeze [F]. Autumn has
a special place in my heart, [RO] I enjoy every minute of it I can.
