Analysis of Fragments, Comma-Splices
and Run-ons
Frag #06 -- Subordination, Complexity,
and Length: This writer averaged 8.9 words per main clause, and the
fragment is nine words long. To this writer, therefore, it would have had
the processing rhythm of a good sentence -- it would have felt just right
as a sentence. It is, of course, a subordinate clause fragment, but when
we attach it to the following main clause, to which it probably belongs,
we have an 18-word main clause, twice the writer's average. But it would
have a second-level embedded clause. Were it not for that second level
embedding, this writer might well have handled it. [His longest main clause
contains 21 words.]
RO #15 -- Other: The run-on is between the
first two in a series of three main clauses, and the first two are more
closely related to each other (It was getting dark.) than either is to
the third. A comma here would be acceptable. Unfortunately, it would
ruin the close connection established by the run-on. If the student were
analyzing this paper himself, he would find the run-on and probably ask
what to do about it. Another option would be to subordinate the first two
main clauses: "[When the night came], and [the lights
were turnd off], I brought out my knife and started cuting throw the wire."
Syntactically this option would keep the closer connection between "night
came" and "lights were turned off." (Personally, I was more thrown off
by the misspelling of "through" than I was by the run-on.)
RO #16 -- Contrast: I have the sense, with
this run-on and the following one, that the writer is having a glorious
time presenting his story and that the run-ons are his attempt to express
the haste of the pursuit. Thus the omission of the verb in "I to the german
border." The lack of the verb actually suggests, at least to me, that the
means of getting there (ran, walked, crawled) wasn't important. Yes, I
would praise the omission of the verb. I think, however, that the run-ons
probably confuse the reader. Commas might work -- short main clauses in
a series, but, had I the opportunity, I would suggest semicolons to emphasize
the contrast between "I" and "they": "I cleared a
5 foot fence with ease; they got out there tanks and dogs to hunt me down;
I, to the german border."
RO #17 -- Contrast: See RO #16.
RO #18 -- Contrast between hiding and coming
out into the open: "I took off into the woods until
the shots were over; then I came out into the open."
RO #19 -- Amplification: The second main
clause provides details about the walking: "I guess
they thought I was killed in the bombing} so I started walking -- about
1/2 mile down the road I came up to a consentation camp."
*****
I would praise this piece of writing for its details,
for its thoughts about the people and Hitler, and for its above-average
use of subordinate clauses. Then I would simply note that it is a shame
that it is so messed up with spelling errors. |