Name___________________

Mitchell Middle School

The Writing Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Writing Process .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Plagiarism Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Writing Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 7 Revising and Editing .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Putting Your Writing through the Wash .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 One Paragraph Hand ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Five Paragraph Hand ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Ideas for Introductions & Conclusions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Transitions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 14 Word Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Descriptive Words .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Touch, Taste, Sight .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Smell, Speed, Colors .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Action Words, Adverbs, Prepositions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Dead Words, Substitutes for Very, Get .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Synonyms for Said & Asked ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Getting Rid of Get .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Thesaurus .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 21-25 Sentence Fluency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 26 Sentence Beginnings .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Conventions ..................................................................... 28 Part of Speech .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 29 Noun, Pronoun, Verb .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Adjective, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 30 Punctuation .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 31-38 Commas .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-32 Periods .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 33 Other End Punctuation .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Semicolons .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Colons .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 36 Apostrophe .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35 Hyphen .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 35 Quotation Mark .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-36 Rules for Writing Numbers .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Rules for Effective Writing .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 36-37

Writing Resources

1. Prewriting Get your ideas together before you write.

Make a list Free write Make a web Use a graphic organizer Ask someone for ideas Let your ideas flow

2. Rough Draft Look at the ideas you come up with in prewriting. See if

there is any order to them. Begin writing with the ideas that are most familiar to you. Keep your writing purpose and audience in mind.

3. Revise…Make it better Put your writing through the wash. Revise for traits:

Ideas and content Word choice Organization Sentence fluency Voice Ask others for input.

4. Edit…Make it correct Put your writing through the wash. Edit for conventions:

Spelling Grammar Punctuation Usage Capitalization Paragraphing 5. Publish…Make it beautiful Use your best handwriting or computer. Polish your document for presentation.

The Writing Process

Plagiarism Checklist If in doubt, ASK your teacher Plan your paper- thesis statement, outline, rough draft, revise, edit, and publish Take effective notes- no complete sentences, mark page numbers and addresses of sources When in doubt, cite sources

Citing Sources:

One Author Fowles, Charlotte. Everything You Ever Wanted To

Know About Information Literacy But Were Afraid To Ask. Vermillion, SD: U of South Dakota, 2001.

More Than One Author Fowles, Charlotte and Carol Leibiger. MLA Citations

Made Easy. Vermillion, SD: I.D. Weeks Library, 2001.

An Article in a Magazine: Myers, Nancy. “Departmental Approval Plans and

Departmental Politics.” Library Friends Magazine Feb. 2001: 146-150.

Electronic Source: Pioneer Women Writers Project. Ed. Tess Gibson.

Nov.1999. U of South Dakota. 22 Jan. 2001. http://www.usd.edu/~pwwp/tg/.

Make it clear who and what- Give the credit to the

right person. Know how to paraphrase- Change both the words and the

sentence structure of the original, without changing the content; cite where your ideas came from; use quality resources to support ideas. Evaluate your sources- Be selective, use a credible

source. This information and more can be found at

www.plagiarism.org/research_site/e_home.html

WWRRIITTIINNGG TTRRAAIITTSS Ideas and Content

• I have a bright idea. • It all makes sense. • I know this topic well. • I have included the most

interesting details. • My paper has a purpose. • Once you start reading, you will

not want to stop.

Organization • My beginning will

interest the reader. • Everything ties together. • It builds to the good parts. • You can follow it easily. • At the end, it feels

finished and makes you think..

Sentence Fluency • My sentences begin

in different ways. • Some sentences are

short and some are long.

• It just sounds good as I read it aloud.

• My sentences have power and punch.

• I have “sentence sense”.

Voice • This really sounds like me! • I’ve been honest and have written what I think and

feel. • Can you feel my commitment to this topic? • I want you to experience my writing with me. • I know why I’m writing and who my audience is. • I bet you’ll want to read this to someone..

Word Choice • I use

powerful words.

• This is the best way to say this

• My words create mind pictures.

• I’ve tried new ways to say normal things.

• Listen to the power in my verbs.

• Some of the words linger in my mind.

Writing Conventions • I don’t have many mistakes in my paper. • I have used capitals correctly. • All punctuations are in the right places. • Almost every word is spelled correctly. • I remembered to indent each paragraph. • It wouldn’t take long to get this ready to share.

Editor’s Mark

Meaning Example

Delete It was very tiny. Capitalize the boy ran quickly.

Make lower case Many Athletes ran in the marathon.

Add a word ice sundae cream

RO Run-on sentence Who’s there what do you want? RO

frag. Sentence fragment The peddler’s cart. frag. sp Spelling error sp

Monkies swung on the tree.

Reverse letters or words

Five books on were the s h l e f .

. Add a period Children played .

, Add a comma Apples, peaches, and pears

’ Add an apostrophe ’

Johns puppy. “ ”

Add quotation marks “ Help!” I cried Begin a new

paragraph “Help!” said Carla. “Hi” Beth replied

# Make a space #

Frenchfries Close the space Country side

Put your writing through THE WASH

Know your audience

* Teacher, students, community members, administrations, parents Know your purpose

* Descriptive, persuasive, expository, and narrative Ideas and Content

* Add specific details and examples. * Show, don’t tell!!! Organization

* Make your introduction inviting. * Make your conclusion satisfying. * Circle transitions. Refer to transitions on page 14 to improve. Voice

* Make the writing sound like you. * Add real life experiences. Word Choice

* Highlight and change dead words. Refer to dead words on page 19. * Change common verbs to action verbs. Refer to page 19-20. * Revise repetitious words and phrases. Refer to pages 16-26. * Incorporate specific nouns. Example: Instead of dog…use black Labrador Sentence Fluency

* Highlight the first word of each sentence. * Vary sentence beginnings. Refer to page 28. * Read the piece aloud for rhythm and flow.

Conventions * Highlight homonyms there, they’re, their, your, you’re, to, two, too * Proofread for spelling, grammar, usage, capitalization, and punctuation * Write out any number you can in one or two words, however, always write

out numbers at the beginning of sentences. Hyphenenate double-digit numbers. (Example: twenty-one)

* Paragraphing ♦ When writing dialogue, start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes. ♦ Be sure each paragraph has a topic sentence. ♦ Each paragraph should have one main idea developed with several details.

Rub a dub dub!!!

Need a Hand in Writing?

Topic Sentence

Detail Sentences

Summary Sentence

Need a hand in writing?

5 PARAGRAPh hANd

Attention getter Movement to thesis

Topic Sentence Example / Detail Explanation

Summary Movement to attention getter Reference to attention getter

Ideas for InvItIng IntroductIons Interesting Question/ Fact/ Statistic Riddle or Joke Bold and Challenging Statement Definition An Option About the Topic Quotation Narrative- Shocking or Suspenseful Story (1st or 3rd person) Figurative Language

NEVER write, “I am going to tell you…”

Ideas for satIsfyIng conclusIons Question Summary Personal Comment Quotation Call to Action

NEVER write, “I have told you…”

13

Transitions

Transitions to Clarify for example for instance in other words put another way simply stated stated differently that is to clarify specifically to illustrate the point

Transitions to Add Information additionally again along with also further another as well besides finally equally important for example for instance likewise furthermore in addition together with next moreover

Transitions to Compare accordingly also as comparable in the some way in the same manner in conjunction with just as like likewise similarly sometimes

Transition Combinations A bad...A worse...The worst A good example…A better example A good…A better…The best An important…An equally important As soon as...Next...Later...In the end At the beginning...Then…Following this…Finally First of all…Besides…In addition First…Along with…Likewise First…Second…Third In the first place…After that…Later on…At last Initially...Then...After that Is started when...As a result of...Then...Therefore One important…Another important…The most One way…Another way…A final method One…One other…Along with…Last To begin...Then...Consequently To begin…At the same time…Finally To start…Furthermore…Additionally…Last

Transitions to Emphasize a Point again another key point indeed with this in mind in fact for this reason frequently on the positive side truly to point out to emphasize surprisingly enough to repeat on the negative side

Transitions to Contrast although but as opposed to conversely counter to even though even so however in spite of this in the meantime never the less on the contrary on the other hand otherwise sometimes still yet even though

Transitions to Conclude or Summarize accordingly in summary as a result in the last analysis all in all lastly due to therefore consequently thus finally to conclude in closing to sum up in conclusion in short

See the preposition list on page 18 for transitions that show location and time!

12

Word Choice

Touch: cold cool crisp damp

dry dull feathery fleshy

fragile fuzzy fruity hairy

icy lukewar prickly pulp

rough rubbery sandy satiny

sharp silky smooth steamy

tepid thick thin warm

wet

Taste:tangy rotten spicy flat

gingery fruity peppery hearty

overripe fishy oily mellow

burnt raw buttery sugary

hot alkaline salty crisp

ripe medicinal bitter sour

spoiled bland tasteless bittersweet

Sight: angular awkward blazing branching broken calm cheap chubby clean clustered comical crimped crinkled crooked curved cylindrical

drab dull elderly elegant exhausted fearful fiery flared flash flash fragile frail frail fresh fresh frightened

frilled hardy healthy heavy hollow hysterical irregular jutting lead lively loose lumpy messy miniature muddy nervous

old orderly oval packed padded pale pasty pendulous pleasant portly proportioned rigid robust rolled rotund ruffled

scalloped scrolled scrubbed shabby shapeless shapely shy sickly skinny slender sloppy small split square stout straight

strong sturdy sunny swollen tall tampering tearful terrified thin tiered timid tiny tired triangle tubular tufted

twiggy ugly unruffled used verdant wide wild winged wiry worn

Smell:sweet acrid musty reeking fresh

minty stagnant gaseous heady sharp

acidy moldy damp spicy rotten

sickly pungent aromatic savory dank

scented burnt earthy putrid stench

fishy sour mildewe rancid piney

odorous fragrant spoiled tempting perfume

Descriptive Words

Descriptive Words, Continued

Sounds

crash thud bump thump hiss thunder patter bang smash explode roar scream screech inaudible shout whistle whine squawk raucous bawl mutter

rage blare rumble slam defining stomp earsplitting clamor tumble riot racket brawl bedlam crackle hubbub blatant clash bark snap boo twitter melody hum piercing rowdy rasp yell rustle sigh murmur whisper whit holler peaceful quiet Speed

Fast Slow hurry run scamper creep crawl plod skip dart scramble sink lumber tiptoe scurry dash flee saunter loiter sneak Colors red white yellow brown blue purple green rose snowy gold sandy peacock violet celery pink milky mustard almond periwinkle lavender mint salmon marble buff amber sapphire orchid apple coral cream straw tawny delft mauve lime raspberry ivory butter cinnamon turquoise lilac apple strawberry oyster buttercup nutmeg aqua plumtomato pearl lemon chocolate magenta currant silvery chartreuse coffee pansy crimson citron rust vermillion canary flame mulberry fuchsia orange gray black persimmon ashen licorice topaz dove jet tangerine steel ebony peach platinum apricot

Action Words Ache Cough Flop Leap Roar Thump Babble Crackle Flow Light Rumble Thunder Bash Creep Fume Loan Sail Trill Batter Croon Glare Moan Scold Twinkle Beam Crow Glide Mock Shriek Wail Beep Crunch Glisten Mumble Simmer Wheeze Bicker Dance Glitter Munch Sizzle Whip Blare Dazzle Glow Nail Slap Whir Blind Dribble Grind Nick Slosh Whisk Blink Drift Groan Patter Smash Whistle Blister Drip Gun Peep Smoke Wink Bubble Engulf Hiss Pile Soar Yap Crackle Entertain Hoot Plop Spark Yell Chant Flail Invite Pop Spin Zoom Chat Flap Jerk Pounce Splash Chuckle Flare Jump Pound Sprinkle Chug Flicker Kick Quack Sputter Clank Flit Kiss Rattle Squash Cluck Float Laugh Reflect Streak Adverbs Adverbs answer the questions: How? When? Where? To what extent?

- Ending in –ly - Not ending in-ly Actually Generally Quietly Already Not Then Appallingly Gradually Rapidly Away Now There Barely Highly Slowly Far Often Today Carefully Horribly Smoothly Fast Out Together Certainly Hurriedly Sorrowfully Here Over Tomorrow Easily Intricately Strangely Inside Quite Too Extremely Nearly Suddenly Just Rather Very Finally Painstakingly Surprisingly More So Well Friendly Probably Totally Most Sometimes Yesterday Fully Quickly Nearby Soon Prepositions Aboard Before During Off To About Behind Except On Toward Above Below For Onto Under Across Beneath From Out Underneath After Beside In Outside Until Against between Inside Over Up Along Beyond Into Past Upon Among By Like Since With Around Concerning Near Through Within At Down Of Throughout Without

A lot Fine Good Nice Very Awesome Fun Like So Well Bad Get Lots Stuff You Cool Got Many Thing Your Bitterly Infinitely Shockingly Chiefly Intensely Severely Especially Mightily Surely Exceedingly Powerfully Truly Immeasurable Richly Unusually Accomplished Convince Inform Seize Achieve Cook Inherit Serve Acquire Do Kill Shoot Act Drive Learn Slip Annoy Drunk Live Snare Approach Earn Locate Snatch Arrive Eat Make Steal Ask Escape Manage Strike Assassinate Establish Master Succeed Attain Fetch Murder Support Bag Find Obtain Survive Be Fix Overcome Raise Become Follow Perceive Reach Begat Gain Persuade Reap Borrow Generate Prepare Receive Bribe Give Procure Regain Bring Go Produce Remember Build Grab Profit Remove Buy Grasp Purchase Rent Capture Hand Pursue Retrieve Catch Help Put Ring Collect Hire Puzzle Run Come Hit Salvage Take Comprehend Hook Score Thrill Conceive Induce Secure Trap Contract Influence See Understand

Dead Words

Substitutes for very (one of the dead words)

Substitutes for get (one of the dead words)

accused continued insisted proposed squealed acknowledged cried interrupted quarreled stammered added decided joked questioned stated admitted declared kidded quibbled stormed advised demanded laughed quizzed stressed agreed denied lectured ranted stuttered announced described lied reassured suggested answered directed mentioned recalled taunted apologized disagreed meowed remarked thought argued elaborated mewed remembered threatened asked emphasized mimicked reminded tweeted babbled exclaimed moaned repeated urged badgered explained mocked replied uttered barked exploded mumbled reported vowed began feared murmured requested wailed begged fibbed muttered responded warned bickered filled in nagged revealed yawned boasted finished objective roared yelled bragged fired observed ruled called fretted ordered sassed cautioned fumed panted scolded challenged fussed persisted screamed chattered gasped persuaded screeched cheeredchee giggled pleaded shouted demanded chuckled gloated pointed out shrieked interrogated claimed grinned pouted sighed inquired coaxed grunted praised snapped investigated commented held predicted sneered invited complained hinted pretended sobbed guessed complimented hissed proclaimed specified probed concluded howled prodded sputtered questioned concluded implied promised squawked quizzed confided acquired prompted squeaked requested

Synonyms for Said

Synonyms for Asked

Thesaurus Amazing - incredible, unbelievable, improbable, fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary Anger - enrage, infuriate, arouse, nettle, exasperate, inflame, madden Angry - mad, furious, enraged, excited, wrathful, indignant, exasperated, inflamed Answer - reply, respond, retort, acknowledge Ask - question, inquire, seek info, put a question to, demand, request, expect, inquire, query, interrogate, examine, quiz Awful - dreadful, terrible, abominable, bad, poor, unpleasant Bad - evil, immoral, wicked, corrupt, sinful, depraved, rotten, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, harmful, injurious, unfavorable, defective, defective, inferior, imperfect, substandard, faulty, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, disagreeable, unpleasant, cross, nasty, unfriendly, irascible, horrible, atrocious, outrageous, infamous, wrong, noxious, sinister, snide, dismal, base, obnoxious, despicable, foul, rank, ghastly Beautiful - pretty, lovely, handsome, attractive, gorgeous, dazzling, splendid, magnificent, comely, fair, ravishing, graceful, elegant, fine, exquisite, pleasant Begin - start, open, launch, initiate, inaugurate, originate Big - large, enormous, immense Brave - bold, gallant, doughty Break - fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, crash, demolish Bright - shining, shiny, gleaming, brilliant, sparkling, shimmering, radiant, vivid, colorful, lustrous Calm - quiet, peaceful still tranquil mild, serene, smooth, composed, collected, unruffled, levelheaded, unexcited, detached, aloof Come - approach, advance, arrive, reach Cool - chilly, cold, frosty, wintry, icy, frigid Crooked - bent, twisted, curved, hooked, zigzag Cry - gash, slash, nick, sever, slit, carve, cleave, slit, chop, crop, lop, reduce Dangerous - perilous, hazardous, risky, uncertain, unsafe Dark - shadowy, unlit, murky, gloomy, dim, dusky, shaded, sunless, black, dismal, sad

Decide – determine, settle, choose, resolve Definite – certain, sure, positive, determined, clear, distinct, obvious Delicious – savory, delectable, appetizing, luscious, scrumptious, palatable, delightful, enjoyable, toothsome, exquisite Describe – portray, characterize, picture, narrate, relate, recount, represent, report Destroy – ruin, demolish, raze, waste, kill, slay, end, extinguish Do – execute, enact, carry, out, finish, conclude, effect, accomplish, achieve, attain Dull – boring, tiring, tiresome, uninteresting, slow, dumb, stupid, unimaginative, lifeless, dead, insensible, tedious, wearisome, listless, expressionless, plain, monotonous, humdrum, dreary Eager – keen, fervent, enthusiastic, involved, interested, alive to End – stop, finish, terminate, conclude, close, halt, cessation, discontinuance Enjoy – appreciate, delight in, to be pleased with, indulge in, luxuriate in, bask in, relish, savor, like Explain – collaborate clarify define, interpret, justify, account for Fair - just, impartial, unbiased, objective, unprejudiced, honest Fall - drop, descend, plunge, topple, tumble False - fake fraudulent, counterfeit, spurious, untrue, unfounded, erroneous, deceptive, groundless, fallacious Famous - well known, renowned, celebrated, famed, eminent, illustrious, distinguished, noted, notorious Fast - quick, rapid, swift, speedy, fleet, hasty, snappy, mercurial, swiftly, rapidly, quickly, snappily, speedily, lickety-split, posthaste, hastily, expeditiously, like a flash Fat - stout, corpulent, fleshy, beefy, paunchy, plump, full rotund, tubby, pudgy, chubby, chunky, bulky, elephantine, obese Fear - fright, dread, terror, alarm, dismay, anxiety, awe, horror, panic, apprehension Fly - soar, hover, flit, wing, flee, waft, glide, coast, skim, sail, cruise Funny - humorous, amusing, droll, comic, comical, laughable, silly Get - acquire, obtain, secure, procure, gain, fetch, find, accumulate, win, earn, reap, catch, net, bag, derive, collect, gather, glean, pick up, accept, come by, regain, salvage Go - recede, depart, fade, disappear, move, travel, proceed

Good - excellent, fine, superior, wonderful, marvelous, suited, suitable, proper, capable, generous, kindly friendly, gracious, obliging, pleasant, agreeable, pleasurable, satisfactory, well-behaved, obedient, honorable, reliable, trustworthy, favorable, profitable, advantageous, righteous, expedient, helpful, valid, genuine, ample, salubrious, estimable, beneficial, splendid, great, noble, worthy, first-rate, top-notch, grand, superb, respectable Great - noteworthy, worthy, distinguished, remarkable, grand, considerable, powerful, much, mighty Gross - improper, rude, coarse, indecent, crude, vulgar, outrageous, extreme, grievous, shameful, uncouth, obscene, low Happy - pleased, contented, satisfied, delighted, joyful, cheerful, ecstatic, jubilant, gay, tickled, gratified, glad, blissful, overjoyed Hate - despise, loathe, detest, abhor, disfavor, dislike, disapprove, abominate Have - hold, posses, own, contain, acquire, gain, maintain, bear, beget, occupy, absorb, fill Help - aid, assist, support, encourage, back, wait, on, attend, serve, relieve, succor, benefit, befriend, abet Hide - conceal, cover, mask, cloak, camouflage, screen, shroud, veil Hurry - rush, run, speed, race, hasten, accelerate, bustle Hurt - damage, harm, injure, wound, afflict, pain Idea - thought, concept, conception, notion, understanding, opinion, plan, view, belief Important - necessary, vital, critical, indispensable, valuable, essential, significant, primary, principal, considerable, famous, distinguished, notable, well-known Interesting - fascinating, engaging, sharp, keen, bright, intelligent, animated, spirited, attractive, inviting, intriguing, proactive, thought-provoking, challenging, inspiring, involving, moving, titillating, tantalizing, exciting, entertaining, piquant, lively, racy, spicy, engrossing, absorbing, consuming, gripping, arresting, enthralling, spellbinding, curious, captivating, enchanting, bewitching, appealing Keep - hold, retain, withhold, preserve, maintain, sustain, support Kill - slay, execute, assassinate, murder, destroy, abolish Lazy - indolent, slothful, idle, inactive, sluggish Little - tiny, small, diminutive, shrimp, runt, miniature, puny, exiguous, dinky, cramped, limited, itty-bitty, microscopic, slight, petite, minute

Look - gaze, see, glance, watch, survey, study, seek, search for, peek, peep, glimpse, stare, contemplate, examine, gape, ogle, scrutinize, inspect, leer, behold, observe, view, witness, perceive, spy, sight, discover, notice, recognize, peer, eye, gawk, peruse, explore Love - like, admire, esteem, fancy, care for, adore, treasure, worship, appreciate, savor Make - create, originate, invent, beget, form, construct, design, fabricate, manufacture, produce, build, develop, do, effect, execute, compose, perform, accomplish, earn, gain, obtain, acquire, get Mark - label, tag, price, ticket, impress, trace, imprint, stamp, brand, sign, note, heed, notice, designate Mischievous - prankish, playful, naughty, roguish, waggish, impish, sportive Moody - temperamental, changeable, short-tempered, glum, morose, sullen, irritable, testy, peevish, spiteful, sulky, touchy Move - plod, go, creep, crawl, inch, poke, drag, toddle, shuffle, trot, dawdle, walk, traipse, mosey, jog, plug, trudge, lumber, lag, fun sprint, trip, bound, hotfoot, high-tail, streak, stride, tear, breeze, whisk, rush, dash, dart, bolt, scamper, scurry, skedaddle, scoot, scuttle, scramble, race, chase, hasten, hurry, gallop, lope, accelerate, stir, budge, travel, wander, roam, journey, trek, ride, slip, glide, slide, slither, coast, sail, saunter, hobble, amble, stagger, prance, straggle, perambulate, waddle, wobble,promenade, lunge Neat - clean, orderly, tidy, trim, dapper, natty, smart, elegant, organized, spruce, shipshape, well-kept New - fresh, unique, original, unusual, modern, current, recent Old - feeble, frail, ancient, aged, used, worn, dilapidated, ragged, faded, broken-down, former, old-fashion, outmoded, passes, vertran, venerable, primitive, traditional, archaic, conventional, custormary, stale, musty, obsolete Part - portion, share, piece, allotment, section, fraction, fragment Place - space, area, spot, region, location, position, resistance, dwelling, set, site, station, status, state Plan - plot, scheme, design, draw, map, deagram, procedure, arrangment, intention, contrivance, method, way, blueprint Popular - well-linked, approved, accepted, favorite, celebrated, common, current Predicament - quandary, dilemma, pickle, problem, plight, scrape, jam Put - place, set, attach, establish, assign, keep, save, set aside, effect, achieve, do, build Quiet - silent, still, soundless, mute, tranquil, peaceful, restful Right - correct, accurate, factual, true, good, just, honest, upright, lawful, moral, proper, suitable, apt, legal, fair

Run - race, speed, huury, hasten, sprint, dash, rush, escape, elope, flee

Tell – inform, notify, advise, relate, recount, narrate, explain, reveal, disclose, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, enlighten, instruct, insist, teach, train, direct, issue, remark, converse, speak, affirm, utter, express, verbalize, voice, articulate, pronounce, deliver, convert, impart, assert, state, allege, mutter, mumble, whisper, sigh, exclaim, yell, sing, yelp, snarl, hiss, grunt, snort, roar, bellow, thunder, boom, scream, shriek, screech, squawk, whine, philosophize, stammer, stutter, lisp, drawl, jabber, announce, swear, vow

Scared – afraid, frightened, alarmed, terrified, panicked, fearful, unnerved, insecure, timid, shy, skittish, jumpy, disquieted, worried, vexed, troubled, disturbed, horrified, terrorized, shocked, petrified, timorous, stupefied, paralyzed, stunned, apprehensive

Show – display, exhibit, present, note, point to, indicate, explain, reveal, prove, demonstrate, expose

Slow – unhurried, gradual, leisurely, late, behind, tedious, slack Stop – cease, halt, pause, discontinue, conclude, end, finish, quit

Story – tale, myth, legend, fable, yarn, account, narrative, chronicle, epic, anecdote, memoir

Strange – odd, peculiar, unusual, unfamiliar, uncommon, queer, weird, outlandish, curious, unique, exclusive, irregular

Take – hold, catch, seize, grasp, win, capture, acquire, pick, choose, select, remove, steal, lift, rob,

engage, purchase, buy, retract, recall, occupy, consume

Tell – disclose, reveal, show, expose, uncover, relate, narrate, inform, advise, explain, divulge, declare, command, order, bid, recount, repeat

Think – judge, deem, assure, believe, consider, contemplate, reflect, medicate

Trouble – distress, anguish, anxiety, worry, wretchedness, pain, danger, peril, disaster, grief, misfortune, difficulty, concern, inconvenience, effort

True – accurate, right, proper, precise, exact, valid, genuine, real, actual, steady, loyal, dependable, sincere

Ugly – hideous, frightful, frightening, shocking, horrible, unpleasant, monstrous, repulsive, terrifying, gross, gruesome, grisly, ghastly, horrid, unsightly, plain, homely, unattractive

Unhappy – miserable, uncomfortable, wretched, heartbroken, unfortunate, downhearted, sorrowful, depressed, dejected, melancholy, glum, gloomy, dismal, discouraged, sad

Use – employ, utilize, exhaust, spend, expend, consume, exercise

Wrong – incorrect, inaccurate, mistaken, erroneous, improper, unsuitable

Sentence Beginnings

1. Two adjectives: Intelligent, hard-working students study every night.

2. An appositive: Margaret, an intelligent and hard working student studies every night.

3. A parallel structure: Intelligent and hard working, Margaret studies at

the library.

4. A question: Who could that intelligent, hard-working student be? 5. A prepositional phrase: In the brightly lit classroom, the intelligent,

hard-working students study for an entire class period.

6. An infinitive: To study all day in the information filled classroom is the student’s duty.

7. A gerund: Listening and studying all day in the classroom is the students

responsibility. 8. A past participle: Having sat all day in the classroom, the students were

anxious for soda and chips. 9. A present participle: Smiling at the busy students, the teacher keeps

watch. 10. A predicate adjective: The teacher is pleasant. 11. A predicate noun: The well-trained teacher was the obvious leader. 12. An adverb clause: Until we learned the parts of speech, we couldn’t

improve our writing. 13. An adjective clause: Andy, who has the mind of a scientist, worked as

a lab assistant. 14. A noun clause: That he could study all day in the library has never

been proven. 15. An exclamation (!): Wow! He is enjoying middle school.

Conventions

Noun - a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea

o A common noun (not capitalized) is the general name of a person,

place, thing, or idea. o A proper noun (always capitalized) is the specific name of a person,

place, thing or idea.

Pronoun - a word used in place of a noun. i.e. She dropped her books. He dropped it. Sometimes I talk to myself. Others – me, him, you, us, they, no one, someone, each, several, some

Verb - shows an action or links the subject to another word in the sentence.

o An action verb tells what the subject is doing. (see pg. 18 for a list of action verbs)

i.e. The boys hike along the river.

o A linking verb links a subject to a noun or an adjective (is, are, was, were, am, be, been, being, appears, looks, smells, tastes)

i.e. My new car looks shiny. Jane is a senior in high school.

o A helping verb comes before the main verb and helps state an action. i.e. Lee will write in his journal. I may go to the concert.

Parts of Speech

Person: Maria, friend, Josh, parent Place: home, Miami, city, backyard

Thing: baseball, homework, secret Idea: happiness, trouble, friendship

Common Nouns Proper Nouns woman Betsy Ross fort Fort Sisseton mountains The Rocky Mountains team The Minnesota Twins park Bramble Park

Adjective - words that describe nouns or pronouns; tell what kind, how many, or which one.

i.e. Male peacocks have beautiful feathers. Many unusual animals live in our city zoo.

Adverb - words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs; tell how, when, where, how often, and how much and often end in ly. (See page 18 for a list of adverbs.) i.e. Max waited eagerly for the next pitch. (how) i.e. The pitch curved inside. (where) i.e. The game is starting now. (when)

Preposition - words that show position or direction and introduce prepositional phrases. (See page 18 for a list of prepositions.) i.e. One cat rested on the desk top. i.e. Another cat watched from a window.

Conjunction - connects individual words or groups of words. i.e. The river is wide and deep. i.e. We can fish in the morning or in the evening. Types – coordinating conjunctions – “FANBOYS” – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so subordinating conjunctions – start adverb clauses – when, since, where, even though, because, after, before, although, as, once, etc.

Interjection - a word or phrase used to express strong emotion or surprise. A comma or an exclamation point is used to separate an interjection from the rest of the sentence. i.e. Wow, look at those mountains! i.e. Hey! Keep your eyes on the road!

RULES FOR USING COMMAS CM1. Compound sentences: sentence + comma + conjunction + sentence

Coordinating conjunctions = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so Examples: I like watching my brother play basketball, but I also like football. We saw the movie first, and then we went for ice cream. Incorrect: I like watching my brother play basketball, and football. We saw the movie first, then went for ice cream. CM2. Items in a series Examples: When the electricity fails, there’s no elevator, no light, and no television.

My favorite classes are English, math, art, and computers. CM3. Between two or more adjectives (a series of adjectives) Examples: The tasty, nutritious meals were distributed on the field trip.

The tall, quick quarterback raced toward the end zone. I asked my mother to make the gooey, scrumptious, chocolate cookies.

CM4. Direct address (talking to a person) Examples: I suppose, Mrs. Harrison, that this is your final offer. We are glad to welcome you to our class, Bruce. Well, Mom, this would be a great night out for dinner. CM5. Direct quotations (what people say) Examples: Mom asked, “Have you finished your homework?”

“I did it,” I replied, “in study hall.” CM6. Appositives (renaming or identifying a person, place or thing) Example: Janice, the girl standing beside the coach, is our best swimmer. For one word appositives, no commas needed. Example: My sister Kathy lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota. CM7. To set off inverted names in bibliographies, in indexes, in directories, or in other

references lists Examples: Cleaver, Oren B. Bertrand, Robert Jensen, Stephen, M.D. CM8. To set off an abbreviated title or degree following a person’s name. Examples: Phillip J. Becker, M.D., is an anesthesiologist. Michelle Hammond, Ph.D., will be the graduation speaker. CM9. Interrupters (transitions in the middle or at the end of sentences) Examples: We all, on the other hand, considered the matter closed.

Getting enough sleep keeps one’s mind alert, for instance.

CM10. Introductory words (yes, no, and well) Examples: Yes, we enjoyed your performance at the ballet.

Well, let me give it some thought before I give you an answer. CM11. Introductory phrases and clauses (at the beginning of a sentence)

• transitional phrase On the contrary, our team seemed to struggle each time it performed.

• 2 or more prepositional phrase In the fall of 2000, Al Gore and George W, Bush ran for presidency. • 1 long prepositional phrase

Beneath a dozen fluttering red and blue banner, he was sworn into office. • an adverb clause

After we returned from the field trip, we each gave reports. • a participial phrase

Waiting with anticipation, the child watched as his father came home with a new puppy.

CM12. Dates Examples: The couple was married on May 6, 1999, but had their reception the next week.

The couple was married in May of 1999 after dating for three years. CM13. States/countries and addresses Examples: The couple was traveling from Paris, France, to London, England. We visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and New York City, New York. I live at 501 N. Pine, Rapid City, SD. I have lived at 501 N. Pine, Rapid City, SD, for four years. (NOTE: no comma after the state if it’s followed by a ZIP code)

My new mailing address is 529 Riley Court, Mitchell, SD 57301. CM14. Letters – salutations and closings Examples: Dear John, (personal letters use commas; business letters use colons) Your Loving Son, Sincerely, CM15. Use a comma to prevent misreading. Examples: Instead of two, five teachers made the trip.

In the field below, the brook gurgled merrily. Whenever you go, go quickly.

FOR USING PERIODS P1. Place a period at the end of a declarative sentence or command. Examples: Green belts around cities are attractive and provide oxygen. Go wash your hands. P2. Place a period at the end of an indirect question. Example: He could not determine why the changes had not been made. P3. Using periods with abbreviations- A. Use period after an abbreviation that stands for a single word. Examples: John Smith and Co., Inc.

Mrs. Susan Richards A.D. 2025 or 119 B.C. Jan. 6 202 Harvard Dr.

However eliminate periods in abbreviations of units in the metric system. Do not use abbreviations for units of measure except in scientific writing. Examples: Inches= In. foot=ft. grams = g liters = l Exceptions: miles per gallon= mpg. miles per hour= mph B. Ordinarily, do not place a periods between letters indicating government boards/organizations or after the call letters of broadcasting station. Examples: FBI, CIA, CBS, KTIV C. Do not use periods when the abbreviation is pronounced letter by letter or as words. Examples: MVP, NASA Exceptions: U.S. and Washington, D.C.

P4. The use of periods after an abbreviation in connection with other punctuation marks A. When the last word in a sentence is abbreviated, one period will suffice. Example: We plan to meet at 9 A.M. B. When a title is used to refer to a specific person, use a period. Example: Katherine Harrison, Ph.D., will be in the attendance.

P5. Use three periods separated by spaces to denote an omission in quoted matter. When

the omission occurs at the end of a sentence, the sentence period is retained as well (equaling 4 periods)

Example: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America….”

RULES FOR USING OTHER END PUNCTUATION E1. Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence. An interrogative sentence asks a question.

Examples: Who came to school with you? How old are you?

E2. Use an exclamation point at the end of an exclamatory sentence (one that expresses strong feeling), to add more feeling or a declarative sentence, and after a strong interjection.

Examples: What an awesome song! I can’t believe I passed that test. >> Whew! I can’t believe I passed that test!

Hey! Wow! Ouch! My goodness! Oops!

RULES FOR USING SEMICOLONS

S1. Use a semicolon to join the main clauses of a compound sentence if they’re joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Examples: I miss my dog Lassie; he ran away last week.

S2. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses even when they are separated by a coordinating conjunction IF the clauses are very long and/ or they already contain commas.

Examples: After I took Michelle home yesterday and I ran my errands for my mom. I was late getting back to school for basketball practice; and my coach made me

do fifty push-ups, fifty sit-ups, and run fifty laps.

S3. Use a semicolon to separate main clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb, such as consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, or therefore.

Example: I like soccer; however, tennis is fun too.

RULES FOR USING COLONS

CL1. Use a colon to introduce a list of items that ends a sentence when it is preceded by a word or a phrase such as these, the following, or as follows.

Example: I’ll need these supplies for my project: newspapers, flour, water, string, and paint. Don’t use a colon immediately after a verb or a preposition. Examples: my favorite subjects include science, math, and social studies.

CL2. Use a colon to separate the hour and the minutes when you use numerals to write the time of day.

Example: Lunch begins at 12:35 P.M.

CL3. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter. Examples: Dear Professor Hittle:

Dear Editor in Chief:

RULES FOR USING THE APOSTROPHE

A1. Use an ‘s to form the possessive of a singular noun (even when the noun ends in an s)

Examples: boss’s, my mother’s, boy’s, Henry’s, Phyllis’s A2. Use an ‘s to form the possessive of a plural noun that does not end in an s Examples: men’s, women’s A3. Use an ‘ alone to form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in an s Examples: boys’, drivers’ A4. Use an ‘s to form the possessive of indefinite pronouns

Examples: anyone’s, someone’s A5. Never use an ‘ with a possessive pronoun Examples: Its, yours, hers (The book is hers.) A6. Use an ‘s to form the plurals of letters, figures, and words used as words Examples: Four B’s, two 3’s, no if’s, and’s, or but’s A7. In names of organizations and businesses, in hyphenated words, and in joint

ownership, show possession in the last word only. Examples: Mother and Father’s trip,

Great-grandfather’s gold watch A8. Use an apostrophe in contractions Examples: Won’t, didn’t, we’ll, shouldn’t, can’t RULES FOR USING THE HYPHEN H1. Use a hyphen to divide a word at the end of a line of writing. Only words of two or more syllables may be divided at the end of a line. Words

should only be divided between syllables. Example: The teacher asked us to go to the library and research the effects

of magnetism on the human body.

H2. Use the hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine and in fractions.

Examples: Twenty-eight years The law passed by two-thirds majority. H3. Use hyphens in such compound nouns as great-aunt and commander-in-chief, and

between words that form a compound adjective preceding a noun. Example: This is an up-to-date edition of the almanac.

Don’t hyphenate the same phrase when not used as a compound adjective. Example: I will try to keep you up to date. RULES FOR USING THE QUOTATION MARKS Q1. Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation. Indirect quotations need no

quotation marks. Example: My mother said, “If you need a ride, call me.” My mother said that she could give me a ride if I called her. Always begin a quotation with a capital letter. When a direct quote is divided by explanatory words, begin the second part of the quotation with a lowercase letter. If the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence, the first word of this sentence is capitalized. Examples: “If the shoe fits,” said John, “wear it.” “I have to go,” said Kate. “Tell Brad I’ll call him.” Q2. Place commas and periods inside quotation marks. Place semicolons and colons

outside the quotation marks. Example: Mary reminded us, “The movie begins at 8:00”; however, she was wrong.

Examine these elements as you read “The Tell-Tale Heart”: plot, characterization, and point of view.

Q3. Place question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks if they belong to the quote. Place them outside if they do not belong to the quotation. Examples: Patty asked, “Who wants to go to the movies tonight?” Did Patty say, “Mary will be at the movies tonight”? Q4. Use single quotation marks to enclose one quotation within another.

If the quotation within the quotation ends the sentence, use both the single and double quotation marks after the last word of the quotations. Examples: “I heard you say, ‘Tell Kate’ as you left the office.” “I heard you say, ‘Tell Kate.’” Q5. Use quotation marks to enclose the titles of poems, short stories, songs, reports,

articles, and chapters of books. Examples: “Star Spangled Banner” “The Road Not Taken”, “The Tell-Tale Heart” Note : Remember to underline or italicize titles of books, plays, magazines, movies, TV series, Long musical compositions, CD’s, Epic poem (book length), paintings, ships, trains, spacecrafts, and airplanes (a specific name not a type!) RULES FOR WRITING NUMBERS N1. Spell out numbers you can write in one or two words. If the number is greater than

999,999 see rule #4. Example: There are twenty-six students in the class.

N2. Use numerals for numbers of more than two words.

Example: I ran a total of 158 miles last summer. N3. Spell out any number that begins a sentence, or reword the sentence so it doesn’t

begin with a number. Examples: Four thousand two hundred eighty-three fans attended the game.

Attendance at the game was 4,283. N4. Use figures for numbers greater than 999,999, followed by the word million, billion, and so on, even if the number could be written in two words. Examples: 1 million, 280 billion, 3.2 trillion N5. Numbers of the same kind ( or in the same sentence) should be written in the same way. If on number must be written as a numeral, write all the numbers as numerals. However, when two numbers sit net to each other in a sentence, write out one (preferable the one with fewer numbers) for clarity Examples: Go to the store and buy ten 3-inch nails. They employed 10 women for 3 weeks on the job. N6. Spell out ordinal numbers (first, second, third…) under one hundred. Example: The sixth of May will be the couple’s thirteenth wedding anniversary. N7. Use words to write the time of day unless you are using A.M. or P.M. Example: I usually get home from school around four o’clock.

The first bell rings at 8:05 A.M., and TAP starts at 8:15 A.M. N8. Use numerals to write dates, house numbers, street numbers above ninety-nine, apartment and room numbers, telephone numbers, page numbers, amounts of money of more than two words, and percentages. Write out the word percent. Examples: On June 10, 1999, I met Jan at 41 329th street in Apartment 3G

Her telephone number is 555-1234 Our class meets in room 105; 55 percent of the students are girls. I found the answer on pages 250 and 251 in this book.

RULES FOR EFFECTIVE WRITING SP use correct spelling WC use correct word choice (homonyms and words closely related) Examples: good/well their/there/they’re then/than SF Do not use sentence fragments. Every sentence needs to have a subject, verb, and

be a complete thought. SR Do not use run-on sentences. You may only connect two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction. Then you need to begin a new sentence.

Examples: Correct: Lori had to stay home to watch her baby brother. Incorrect- I went running, and Sue came with me, but Lori stayed home to

watch her baby brother.

MT Maintain your tense. If you begin your essay writing in the past tense, do not switch to the present tense or future tense.

AWK Wordy or awkward sentence. SL Do not use slang in formal essays. Slang in dialogue, short stories, or a narrative is

acceptable. Examples: 24/7 green $ my bad

not sweet cool