How to Identify and Fix Run-On Sentences

Homeschool Pop

This engaging animated video introduces elementary students to the concept of run-on sentences using a humorous and clear approach. Narrated by an enthusiastic cartoon character, the video begins by defining what a proper sentence is—a group of words with a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Through simple examples like "The dog plays catch," it establishes the baseline for correct sentence structure before introducing the "villain" of the lesson: the sneaky run-on sentence. The video characterizes run-on sentences as "greedy" and "sneaky" because they try to cram two complete thoughts into a single sentence without permission. Using visual metaphors like a character sneaking through a jungle and leaking pipes, the narrator explains that run-ons contain two sentences inside one. The video then transitions into a practical workshop mode, guiding viewers through three specific examples of run-on sentences. For each example, the narrator asks the viewer to identify the break point, pauses to allow for thinking time, and then demonstrates exactly how to split the run-on into two correct sentences using a period and a capital letter. Ideally suited for 2nd through 4th grade language arts classrooms, this resource is excellent for introducing editing skills and sentence structure. It simplifies the often-confusing concept of run-ons by limiting the solution to one method: splitting the sentence with a period. This makes it a perfect foundational lesson for young writers who are just beginning to write longer paragraphs and need to learn where one thought ends and the next begins.