California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions Syllabus

English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions in California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Sentence Structure

   5 topics

   • Complete Sentences and Fragments
     • Identifying subject and predicate
     • Repairing sentence fragments
   • Run-ons and Comma Splices
     • Recognizing fused sentences
     • Correcting with conjunctions or punctuation
   • Coordination and Subordination
     • Joining independent clauses correctly
     • Using subordinate clauses for relationships
   • Modifier Placement
     • Fixing misplaced modifiers
     • Eliminating dangling modifiers
   • Parallel Structure
     • Balancing items in a series
     • Maintaining parallel verb and phrase forms
2. 2

   Grammar and Usage

   5 topics

   • Subject-Verb Agreement
     • Agreement with compound and collective subjects
     • Agreement with intervening phrases
   • Pronoun Usage
     • Pronoun-antecedent agreement
     • Clear pronoun reference and correct case
   • Verb Forms and Tense
     • Consistent tense across sentences
     • Correct use of irregular verbs
   • Adjective and Adverb Use
     • Comparative and superlative forms
     • Distinguishing adjectives from adverbs
   • Standard Idiom and Word Choice
     • Commonly confused words
     • Concise and precise diction
3. 3

   Capitalization, Punctuation, and Spelling

   4 topics

   • Capitalization Rules
     • Proper nouns, titles, and first words
     • Capitalization in quotations and headings
   • End and Internal Punctuation
     • Commas, semicolons, and colons
     • Apostrophes for possession and contractions
   • Quotation Marks and Dialogue
     • Punctuating direct quotations
     • Setting off titles
   • Spelling Patterns
     • Homophones and frequently misspelled words
     • Prefixes, suffixes, and root changes
4. 4

   Writing Process and Organization

   4 topics

   • Prewriting and Planning
     • Generating and narrowing a topic
     • Organizing ideas before drafting
   • Paragraph Development
     • Topic sentences and supporting evidence
     • Unity and coherence
   • Revising for Clarity and Logic
     • Improving sentence variety and flow
     • Removing redundancy and wordiness
   • Editing and Proofreading
     • Correcting errors in context
     • Choosing the best replacement sentence
5. 5

   The Writing Task (Essay)

   4 topics

   • Understanding the Prompt
     • Identifying the task and audience
     • Forming a clear thesis or position
   • Developing Supporting Arguments
     • Using reasons, examples, and details
     • Drawing on personal experience and knowledge
   • Structuring the Essay
     • Introduction, body, and conclusion
     • Logical transitions between ideas
   • Conventions and Polish
     • Maintaining standard grammar in writing
     • Editing within time limits

English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions flashcards for California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)

20 of 51 cards from the English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a complete sentence (independent clause)?

   A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb) and expresses a complete thought, able to stand alone: e.g., 'The dog barked.'

2. What is a sentence fragment, and name its three common causes?

   An incomplete word group punctuated as a sentence. Causes: missing subject, missing verb, or a stranded dependent clause (e.g., 'Because she was late').

3. What is a run-on (fused) sentence?

   Two or more independent clauses joined with no punctuation or connecting word: 'I ran home it was raining.'

4. What is a comma splice?

   The error of joining two independent clauses with only a comma: 'I ran home, it was raining.'

5. List four ways to correct a comma splice or run-on.

   1) Use a period (two sentences). 2) Use a semicolon. 3) Add a comma + coordinating conjunction. 4) Make one clause subordinate (add a subordinating conjunction).

6. What are the seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)?

   For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

7. What is the difference between coordination and subordination?

   Coordination joins two equal-rank independent clauses (with FANBOYS/semicolon). Subordination attaches a dependent clause to an independent one (with a subordinating conjunction), making one idea less important.

8. Give five common subordinating conjunctions.

   Because, although, since, while, if (also: when, after, before, unless, though).

9. What punctuation rule applies when a dependent clause begins a sentence?

   Put a comma after the introductory dependent clause: 'Because it rained, we stayed inside.' No comma is needed when the independent clause comes first.

10. What is a misplaced modifier?

    A word or phrase positioned so it appears to modify the wrong word, causing confusion: 'She almost drove her kids to school every day.'

11. What is a dangling modifier, and how is it fixed?

    A modifier whose intended subject is missing from the sentence: 'Walking to school, the rain started.' Fix by naming the actor: 'Walking to school, I felt the rain start.'

12. Where should a modifier be placed for clarity?

    As close as possible to the word it modifies.

13. What is parallel structure?

    Using the same grammatical form for items in a series, comparison, or paired construction: 'reading, writing, and editing' (all gerunds).

14. Correct the parallelism: 'She likes hiking, swimming, and to bike.'

    'She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.' (All items should be gerunds.)

15. What correlative conjunction pairs require parallel structure?

    not only...but also, either...or, neither...nor, both...and. The element after each part must share the same form.

16. What is the basic rule of subject-verb agreement?

    A verb must agree with its subject in number: singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

17. Do subjects joined by 'and' take a singular or plural verb? What about 'or'/'nor'?

    Subjects joined by 'and' are plural. With 'or'/'nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

18. What verb number do indefinite pronouns like 'each,' 'everyone,' and 'nobody' take?

    Singular: 'Everyone is here.' 'Each of the boys was ready.'

19. In 'The box of chocolates ___ on the table,' which verb is correct and why?

    'is' — the subject is 'box' (singular); 'of chocolates' is a prepositional phrase that doesn't affect agreement.

20. What is the difference between subjective and objective pronoun case?

    Subjective (I, he, she, we, they) functions as the subject; objective (me, him, her, us, them) functions as an object of a verb or preposition.

See more English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions flashcards →

Planning English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions for California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)

English-Language Arts: Language and Writing Conventions (California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)) FAQ