G9-12.ECRS.B13-A: Parenthetical Phrases and Relevancy
Introduction: You can add depth to your writing by using parenthetical phrases. In this unit, well go over a few common types of parenthetical phrases, learn how to punctuate them, and begin using them to add supporting details to our writing. Link to the ECRS: Use commas to set off simple parenthetical phrases (COP.20A)
Key Information: Commas can be used to add supporting details to a sentence. We call this kind of information that isnt essential (but is relevant) a parenthetical phrase. In writing, always use commas to offset parenthetical phrases.
Parenthetical phrases add relevant, nonessential details to your writing. If the parenthetical phrase has nothing to do with the immediate topic in the sentence, it is likely irrelevant.
Relevant Parenthetical Information
EXAMPLE: VCU, an 11 th -seeded team, has pulled off two upsets in the 2011 NCAA mens basketball tournament.
WHY?: The information about the team being seeded 11 th gives the reader more information about the scale of the upset. Irrelevant Parenthetical Information
EXAMPLE: VCU, a school with cutting-edge medical center, has pulled off two big upsets in the 2011 NCAA mens basketball tournament.
WHY?: The information about the schools medical center has nothing to do with basketball.
Define the following terms in your own words:
Relevant
Nonessential
The Basics: The following sentences contain parenthetical phrases. If the information is relevant, mark the sentence with the word relevant. If the information is irrelevant, re-write it using a relevant clause.
1. The bus, which I take to school every day, often makes me late to first period. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. The principal, who loves basketball, is not happy when I am late to school. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Consequently, I will catch an earlier bus to school. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Practice: Identify the information contained between the commas as essential or non-essential. If the phrases are essential, re-write the sentence without the commas. If the phrase is nonessential, explain why.
1. Fish tacos, by the way, are my favorite food. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL
5. People, who dont like tacos, are crazy. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL ___________________________________________________________________________________
How it looks on the EPAS (EXPLORE, PLAN or ACT): Certain words and/or phrases below are underlined and numbered. In the right-hand column, you will find alternatives for the underlined part. If the original version is best, choose NO CHANGE.
Whitney Houston was an American recording artist, actress, producer,
and model. Houston, the most awarded female act of all time, was one [2] of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million
albums, singles and videos worldwide. She released seven studio
albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have
diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. She starred in
movies such as The Bodyguard and The Preachers Wife, which had
the best-selling gospel album in history. [2]
1. A. NO CHANGE B. Houston the most awarded female act of all time, was C. Houston, was D. OMIT
2. A. NO CHANGE B. which had the best-selling gospel album in history C. which, had the best-selling gospel album in history D. OMIT the underlined phrase
Whats the Rule? Parenthetical phrases include information that _______________________ to the overall meaning or understanding of a sentence.