Chapter 9 Projects: Basics of Grammar & Mechanics

Project Assignment

Project Goal

In Chapter 9, you studied the fundamental principles of grammar and mechanics. The goal of this project is to practice grammar basics by identifying a variety of grammatical structures in a text.

Directions

Part 1

First, read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech; the link is provided under the "Project Materials" section. Next, fill out the worksheet, which is also provided under "Project Materials." The worksheet requires you to identify and provide examples of various grammatical components in Dr. King's speech. Be sure to quote the full sentence for each required example even if the grammatical component is a single word or punctuation mark. Also, provide the page number of the source material you use for each example.

Part 2

Reflect on your experience. Write a reflection paragraph that includes a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. Be sure to use standard academic English rules and address the following questions.

  • How does using a variety of sentence types and structures affect the audience?

  • How does using parts of speech (such as adverbs and adjectives) and punctuation marks (such as commas and quotation marks) affect the audience?

  • Which grammatical components did you find difficult to identify? Which were easy to identify? Explain your experience.

Project Materials

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech

Worksheet

For each grammatical component listed, find one example in Dr. King's speech. Record the entire sentence on the worksheet, even if the example asks for a single word or punctuation mark. (This will provide helpful context for your audience.) Quote each sentence with quotation marks. Add the page number of the source material at the end of each quote.

Grammar Category Example
Declarative sentence: (blank)
Imperative sentence: (blank)
Interrogative sentence: (blank)
Exclamatory sentence: (blank)
Descriptive adjective: (blank)
Indefinite adjective: (blank)
Adverb (time): (blank)
Adverb (place): (blank)
Adverb (manner): (blank)
Adverb (degree): (blank)
Interjection: (blank)
Comma after introductory word, phrase, or clause: (blank)
Comma within a compound sentence: (blank)
Quotation marks: (blank)

Student Checklist

Part 1

Individual

Part 2

Individual

Writing Assignment

Writing Assignment Goal

In Chapter 9, you studied the fundamental principles of grammar and mechanics. The goal of this writing assignment is for you to practice grammar basics by writing an original descriptive paragraph.

Directions

Part 1

Write a paragraph in which you describe one of the following topics/experiences in detail:

  • An academic accomplishment you are proud of

  • A description of your childhood home

  • A description of your favorite smell that brings back memories

  • Your first job interview

  • Your favorite teacher

Your paragraph must include the following elements:

  • At least one example of each statement type: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory

  • At least two sentences that each use a combination of dependent and independent clauses

  • At least one example for each of the following parts of speech:

    • Descriptive, demonstrative, indefinite, and numerical adjectives

    • Adverbs of time, place, manner, and degree

Part 2

Reflect on your writing experience. Write a paragraph that includes a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Make sure to use standard academic English rules and respond to the following questions.

  • Do specific grammar constraints make writing more or less difficult?

  • How does the revising/editing process change when you follow specific grammar guidelines?

Writing Assignment Materials

Pen and paper or word-processing program

Student Checklist

Part 1

Individual

Part 2

Individual