Lesson: 22

Topic: Understanding Punctuation

Objectives:

In this Mandatory English Proficiency module, the student will come to learn how to identify key punctuation marks while at the same time learning how punctuation impacts on words, clauses, and sentences. Understanding how to correctly punctuate a sentence will invariably help the student to write more effective and more persuasive sentences.

In particular, students will learn to correctly identify, differentiate between, and utilize the following punctuation marks:

1. comma

2. semi-colon

3. colon

4. hyphen

5. dash

6. period

7. quotation marks

8. apostrophe
    

Method of Instruction and Evaluation:

Students will hear a lecture examining punctuation. Then, as a class, students will attempt to correctly complete the online parts of speech practice quiz. 

When an individual student feels that he/she is ready to attempt the actual punctuation test, the student is to approach the course instructor to set up a writing time. (Note: The test for any one MEPT module takes between 10 and 20 minutes to complete.) Students are required to achieve a score of 70% or greater on all MEPT modules in order to pass the Grade 12 Law course. Students may write the MEPT modules as many times as required in order to achieve the minimum score requirement.

Expectations Addressed:

The "Methods of Legal Inquiry and Communication" strand of the CLN4U Ministry of Education Curriculum Guidelines outlines all of the following specific expectations. By the end of this class, the student will be able to address those specific expectations that have been highlighted below.

• Research:

  • formulate questions that lead to a deeper understanding of a legal issue;

  • conduct research on legal topics, using traditional and non-traditional sources of information (e.g., law-related websites, primary and secondary source documents, legal professionals);

  • evaluate the credibility of sources and information by checking for logical errors, accuracy, and underlying assumptions, including prejudices, biases, stereotyping, or a lack of substantiation for statements, arguments, and opinions;

  • classify and clarify information using organizers, graphs, charts, and diagrams;

  • compile summary notes in a variety of forms and for a variety of purposes (e.g., research and preparation for debates, oral presentations, mock trials, tests, examinations);

  • identify various career opportunities in the legal field (e.g., paralegal, community legal worker, criminologist).

• Interpretation and Analysis:

  • distinguish among opinions, facts, and arguments in sources;

  • draw conclusions based on analysis of information gathered through research and awareness of diverse legal interpretations (e.g., case studies);

  • apply an analytical/inquiry method to legal issues (e.g., choose a subject, formulate a question, develop a research plan, gather information, distinguish between opinions and facts, decide on an interpretation, write and present their analysis).

• Communication:

  • express opinions, ideas, arguments, and conclusions, as appropriate for different audiences and purposes, using a variety of styles and forms (e.g., mock trials, case studies, interviews, debates, reports, papers, seminars), as well as visual supports (e.g., graphs, charts, organizers, illustrations);

  • use an accepted form of documentation (e.g., footnotes, endnotes, or author-date citations; bibliographies or reference lists) to document all information sources, including electronic sources;

  • use correct legal terminology to communicate legal concepts, opinions, and arguments.

For assistance with mastering sentence structure, please refer to the following online resources:

Handouts of PowerPoints:

Sentence Structure
• Parts of Speech
• Punctuation
• Common Grammatical Errors

Practice Quizzes:

Quiz: Sentence Structure
• Quiz: Parts of a Speech
• Quiz: Punctuation