Thurs. Nov. 29

BR: What is a paradox? List three examples of paradox from yesterday’s reading. Explain what each one means.

Agenda:

• Grammar: Dangling Modifers

 A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept.

 Having finished the assignment, Jill turned on the TV.

"Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action. In English sentences, the doer must be the subject of the main clause that follows. In this sentence, it is Jill. She seems logically to be the one doing the action ("having finished"), and this sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier.

The following sentence has an incorrect usage:

Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.

 Another example:
Dangling: Concerned about the rain, it was decided that the picnic should be canceled.
[Concerned about the rain has nothing to modify except the word it, which refers to no word in the sentence.]
Revised: Concerned about the rain, our club decided to call off the picnic.
[Now, Concerned about the rain clearly refers to club, a subject the reader can identify.]
  Directions: Each sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. While riding my bike to the library, the dog began to bark.
2. She observed the monstrous skyscraper with binoculars.
3. Donna served hot dogs, fries, and potato salad to her guests on paper plates..
4. Did you see a guy cross the bridge with a beard?
5. The red sports car was reported stolen by the police officer.
6. While fixing my bicycle chain, the ice cream man drove by.
7. Buddy sat in the chair with a broken leg.
8. Sam played the "Star-Spangled Banner" to the audience on his saxophone.
9. Covered with dirt, I saw the farmer plowing his field on my bike.
10. While lacing my shoelaces, the cat yawned and settled into the chair.

• Macbeth: Students will continue reading Act I
• Individually students will answer discussion questions from Act I on page 456 in literature book