Online Class: Punctuation and Grammar 101

Do you need a refresher course in basic punctuation and grammar? Is your business writing, school writing or personal writing a disaster and you're tired of stressing over mistakes? Improper grammar and punctuation is a sign for some people, right or wrong, that you may be less educated or less intelligent. Your writing reflects more about your personality than you realize: it reflects your attention to detail, your education and how you think.

COURSE CLOSED

We're sorry, this course is no longer open for enrollment.
 
  • 16
    Lessons
  • 31
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 11
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.1
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Do you need a refresher course in basic punctuation and grammar?  Is your business writing, school writing or personal writing a disaster and you're tired of stressing over mistakes?  Improper grammar and punctuation is a sign for some people, right or wrong, that you may be less educated or less intelligent.
Your writing reflects more about your personality than you realize: it reflects your attention to detail, your education and how you think.  Even the most basic writing -- like thank-you notes and emails -- can be sabotaged by just one grammatical error.  In the business world, this can give clients the impression that you aren't careful.  If your work is as sloppy as your writing, you aren't the person they want to hire or promote.
 
This online punctuation and grammar course will help you learn what you need to polish your grammar and punctuation skills to academic and professional levels. Punctuation and Grammar 101 is divided into two subjects which focus on grammar and punctuation topics. At the end of each lesson will be a brief quiz and/or assignment based on the lesson material.  Your knowledgeable and caring instructor will review and grade all work and you can ask questions anytime.

Isn't it time to finally master the critical writing skills of grammar and punctuation? So join us today. As always, you can attend this course at the times that fit your schedule. Our system requires no special software or hardware, so why not enroll today and become informed and inspired?
Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1: Grammar's Role in Writing

Proper grammar and punctuation are vital for clear communication, as even small errors can lead to misunderstandings and reflect poorly on one's attention to detail. This lesson provides a foundational overview of grammar, including the parts of speech and common rules to improve writing skills. 1 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Rate Your Grammar Skills; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Introductions

Lesson 2: Subjects, Predicates, and the Art of Sentence Crafting

Alternative subjects linked by 'or,' 'nor,' or 'but' need verb agreement adjustment based on the noun nearest to the verb, which can change the meaning depending on the singular or plural context. Exceptions like combined entities or unique collective terms further complicate the typical rules of agreement. 31 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Review 4 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exercise: Subject Verb Agreement
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exercise: Subject and Predicate Agreement

Lesson 3: Nouns and Pronouns: Foundational Elements of Grammar

Nouns label people, places, things, or ideas, and can be concrete or abstract, while pronouns simplify sentences by replacing nouns and reducing repetition. Understanding different types of pronouns and ensuring proper noun-pronoun agreement is crucial for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Additional lesson topics: Pronoun Central 46 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Review 5 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exercise: Pronoun Use
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exercise: Find the Subject Noun
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exercise: Using the Correct Pronoun
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exercise: Pronoun Substitution

Lesson 4: Navigating the Complexities of Verb Tenses: A Comprehensive Guide

Through an exploration of simple, progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive tenses, this lesson emphasizes the importance of using the appropriate verb form to reflect when and how actions occur. While it might seem daunting, understanding these nuances helps in crafting precise and meaningful sentences. 32 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Review 10 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exercise: Simple Present Verb Tenses
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exercise: Find the Verb

Lesson 5: Mastering the Unpredictable: Navigating Common Irregular Verbs

English irregular verbs, with no single rule governing tense transformation, require familiarity with their unpredictable patterns, exemplified by 'lie' and 'lay' or the interchangeable 'sneaked' and 'snuck.' These intricacies demand active learning to avoid typical mistakes like 'drug' for 'dragged.' 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Review 9 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exercise: Irregular Verbs

Lesson 6: Unveiling the Power of Words Through Adjectives and Adverbs

The lesson outlines how adjectives define nouns with specific questions and participles, turning verbs into descriptive tools. Adverbs enhance the narrative by detailing verbs and comparisons, clarifying the extent of actions or qualities. 40 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Review 5 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exercise: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exercise: Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs

Lesson 7: Phrases Unpacked

Prepositional phrases enhance sentences with additional context by linking a preposition to a noun, altering meanings based on their placement. Recognizing prepositions helps identify phrases, which may clarify nouns or verbs in various contexts. Additional lesson topics: Additional Examples of Prepositional and other types Phrases 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7097.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exercise: Identify the Preposition

Lesson 8: Clauses: The Building Blocks of Complete Sentences

A clause is essential in sentence construction as it combines a subject and verb to form either complete or supplementary thought. The correct application of 'which' and 'that' hinges on whether the clause is integral to the sentence's meaning. Additional lesson topics: Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses 12 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: The Art of Punctuation

The placement of punctuation marks can drastically shift the meaning of a sentence, highlighting the power of these small symbols. 2 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Rate Your Punctuation Skills
  • Complete Assignment: Your Current Punctuation Skills

Lesson 10: Mastering Punctuation: Periods and End Stops in English

Punctuation, especially periods, is critical in guiding the reader through sentences, providing necessary pauses and emphasis to convey exact meaning. Misusing punctuation can transform the tone and message of writing, as evidenced by variations in a note expressing love or disdain. Additional lesson topics: Periods and Other End Stops; The Proper Use Of The Period and Other End Marks 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Review 2 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exercise: Sentence Punctuation

Lesson 11: Comma Use Simplified

Despite its humble appearance, the comma is the most used punctuation mark, crucial for separating components of a sentence and clarifying listings and quotes. Misplacement or excessive use of commas can compromise sentence coherence, highlighting the need for purposeful application. 24 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Review Practice Worksheet: optional-Grammar_Punctuation_Wk_4.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exercise: Comma Usage

Lesson 12: Understanding Apostrophes: Rules and Exceptions

Apostrophes clarify ownership, form contractions, and occasionally indicate plurals, yet they're often misused due to misunderstanding. Proper use involves adding apostrophes to singular or plural nouns, but not to possessive pronouns, and forming contractions like 'it's' for 'it is'. 22 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exercise: Using Apostrophes

Lesson 13: Mastering Colons and Semicolons: Essential Punctuation for Clarity and Precision

Serving as an anticipatory signal, colons introduce lists, extended quotes, or emphatic statements, guiding readers seamlessly into new information. In contrast, semicolons facilitate smooth transitions between independent clauses or complex items within lists. 9 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Hyphens in Action

Utilizing hyphens bridges syllables when words split across lines and crafts compound words, which enhances reading flow and accuracy. They are indispensable for specific prefixes and suffixes, ensuring that text remains precise and clear. 20 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exercise: Hyphen Usage

Lesson 15: Mastering Quotation Marks: A Comprehensive Guide

Quotation marks improve text clarity by setting apart spoken words from narrative and precisely marking citations. They also help emphasize unusual terms, indicate irony, and signify titles within written content. 8 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Review 4 Practice Worksheets
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16: Unlocking the Depths of English Grammar and Writing: Recommended Reads

We've discussed basic grammar concepts, but the intricate details of English require more resources for mastery. Suggested readings include Warriner's educational cornerstone, Stilman's usage guide, Thurman's practical examples, O'Connor's easy fixes, Truss's witty critique, and Zinsser's guide for non-fiction writers. 98 Total Points
  • Lesson 16 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Course Completion Poll: Your Thoughts; Final Course Survey; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: FINAL EXAM
409
Total Course Points
 

Student Testimonials

  • "I really think that this is a great course. I feel more confident being able to use proper grammar and punctuation without second guessing myself while writing letters and E-mails. Thank you!" -- Christopher M.