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.
We're sorry, this course is no longer open for enrollment.
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16Lessons
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31Exams &
Assignments -
11Hours
average time -
1.1CEUs
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?
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
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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.
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