Syntax Mastery Anchor Charts
TEKS 7.10.D(i) • STAAR Editing Lab
Anchor Chart 1: Coordinating Conjunctions
Name:
Date: Period:
What does a coordinating conjunction do?
It joins words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical weight. Remember the acronym: F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
The FANBOYS Toolkit (Fill in the missing purposes & clues)
F FOR
Shows reason / cause
"He ran, for he was late."
A AND
Shows addition
"I love tea and coffee."
N NOR
Shows negative choice
"Neither cats nor dogs..."
B BUT
Shows contrast / exception
"Tired, but she worked."
O OR
Shows alternative / choice
"Study or take the test."
Y YET
Shows surprise contrast
"Simple yet powerful."
S SO
Shows result / effect
"It rained, so we left."
RULE 1: Connecting Two Full Sentences
When joining two complete thoughts (Independent Clauses), you MUST use a comma before the FANBOYS.
[ Independent Clause ] , FANBOYS [ Independent Clause ]
Example: Marcus scored twenty points**, and** the crowd roared loudly.
RULE 2: No Comma for Compound Verbs
If the second half does NOT have its own subject, do NOT place a comma before the conjunction!
[ Subject ] + [ Verb 1 ] + FANBOYS + [ Verb 2 ]
Example: Marcus scored twenty points and celebrated with his team. (No comma!)
STAAR EDITING TRAP: The Dreaded Comma Splice & Run-On
✗ COMMA SPLICE: I studied hard, I passed the test.
→ Fix: Add FANBOYS (...hard**, so** I passed...) or semicolon.
✗ RUN-ON (FUSED): I studied hard I passed the test.
→ Fix: Add comma + FANBOYS or split into two sentences.
STAAR Check: Guided Revision Practice
Analyze & Correct
- The meteorologist warned of heavy storms yet the festival organizers refused to cancel the event.
What edit is needed?
- Maya drafted her personal narrative, and edited every paragraph carefully before submission.
Identify the punctuation error:
7th Grade RLA Anchor Charts • Punctuation & Syntax Page 1: Coordinating Conjunctions
TEKS 7.10.D(vi) • STAAR Editing Lab
Anchor Chart 2: Prepositions & Phrases
Name:
Date: Period:
What is a Prepositional Phrase?
A preposition shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and other words in terms of location, time, direction, or relationship.
[ Preposition ] + ( Optional Modifiers ) + [ Object of Preposition (Noun/Pronoun) ]
High-Frequency Preposition Word Bank (Anywhere a squirrel can go!)
Location / Place
- • above / below
- • behind / between
- • inside / near
- • under / upon
Time / Sequence
- • after / before
- • during / until
- • since / throughout
- • at midnight / by noon
Direction / Motion
- • across / through
- • into / toward
- • onto / along
- • past / around
Relationship / Other
- • of / for / with
- • without / about
- • except / despite
- • according to
RULE 1: Introductory Phrases
When a prepositional phrase begins a sentence (especially 4+ words), place a comma after it!
[ In the middle of the dark forest ], we found an old cabin.
No comma is needed if the phrase is at the end: We found an old cabin in the middle of the dark forest.
STAAR TRAP: Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject is NEVER inside a prepositional phrase! Step: Cross out prepositional phrases to find the true subject.
The box [of old photographs] is (not are) in the attic.
"Photographs" is the object of the preposition, NOT the subject! "Box" is singular.
STAAR Check: Analyze & Edit Prepositional Phrases
Guided Work
- Before the championship game against the Lions our coach gave an inspiring speech.
Where should the comma be inserted?
- The cluster of bright stars ( shine / shines ) brightly in the clear winter sky.
Circle correct verb & write why:
7th Grade RLA Anchor Charts • Punctuation & Syntax Page 2: Prepositions & Phrases
TEKS 7.10.D(ii) • STAAR Editing Lab
Anchor Chart 3: Subordinating Conjunctions
Name:
Date: Period:
What does a subordinating conjunction do?
It turns an independent clause into a dependent (subordinate) clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It establishes cause, condition, contrast, or time.
The AAAWWUUBBIS Mnemonic Organizer
A
Although / After / As "Although she studied..." / "After we ate..."
W
While / When "While the music played..." / "When the bell rang..."
U
Until / Unless "Until we get home..." / "Unless it stops raining..."
B
Before / Because "Before you leave..." / "Because he was tired..."
I
If "If you complete the assignment on time..."
S
Since "Since the beginning of the school year..."
The Complex Sentence Punctuation Formula
PATTERN 1: Dependent Clause FIRST USE COMMA
[ AAAWWUUBBIS + Clause ] , [ Independent Clause ]
Example: Because the alarm didn't go off**,** Jordan missed the bus.
PATTERN 2: Independent Clause FIRST NO COMMA
[ Independent Clause ] + [ AAAWWUUBBIS + Clause ]
Example: Jordan missed the bus because the alarm didn't go off.
STAAR EDITING TRAP: Dependent Clauses Left Hanging (FRAGMENTS!)
✗ FRAGMENT: Although the team practiced every afternoon for three weeks. (What happened? Incomplete thought!)
✓ COMPLETE: Although the team practiced every afternoon for three weeks**,** they still felt nervous before kickoff.
STAAR Check: Guided Complex Sentence Revision
Edit & Combine
- Combine into one sentence using "Unless" at the start:
You submit your project by Friday. You will receive a late penalty.
Your combined sentence:
- Fix the punctuation error: The students remained quiet in the hallway, because testing was underway.
Correction rule:
7th Grade RLA Anchor Charts • Punctuation & Syntax Page 3: Subordinating Conjunctions
Syntax Mastery Teacher Key
TEKS 7.10.D(i) • Teacher Answer Key
Anchor Chart 1: Coordinating Conjunctions (Key)
Teacher Master
Core Definition & Guided Note Key:
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal grammatical weight. Mnemonic: F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
FANBOYS Reference & Relationships Key
F • FOR
Reason / Cause
"He rested, for he was weary."
A • AND
Addition
"Tea and biscuits."
N • NOR
Negative Choice
"Neither rain nor snow..."
B • BUT
Contrast / Exception
"Tired, but cheerful."
O • OR
Alternative
"Win or lose."
Y • YET
Surprise Contrast
"Small yet mighty."
S • SO
Result / Effect
"Late, so he ran."
RULE 1: Two Independent Clauses
[ Clause 1 ] , + FANBOYS [ Clause 2 ]
Teacher Note: Have students test both sides by putting their finger over the conjunction. If both sides can stand alone as complete sentences, the comma is mandatory.
RULE 2: Compound Predicate (No Comma)
[ Subject ] + [ Verb 1 ] + FANBOYS + [ Verb 2 ]
Teacher Note: #1 STAAR error trap. If the second clause lacks its own subject, a comma before FANBOYS is a punctuation error.
STAAR Check: Exemplar Solutions & Explanations
Item 1: "The meteorologist warned of heavy storms yet the festival organizers refused to cancel the event."
Answer / Edit: Insert a comma before "yet" (→ "...heavy storms**, yet** the festival organizers...").
Rationale: Both sides are independent clauses ("The meteorologist warned..." and "the festival organizers refused...").
Item 2: "Maya drafted her personal narrative, and edited every paragraph carefully before submission."
Answer / Edit: Delete the comma after "narrative" (→ "...personal narrative and edited...").
Rationale: Compound predicate with shared subject "Maya". "Edited every paragraph" has no separate subject.
Teacher Think-Aloud Prompt: "Class, before you drop a comma in front of 'and' or 'but', do the Finger Test. Cover the conjunction and ask: Does sentence #2 have its own subject and verb? If yes, comma gets the pass!"
