writer’s notebook table of contents · active v. passive voice 1.) action verbs – something the...
TRANSCRIPT
Writer’s Notebook Table of Contents 101 151 102 152 103 153 104 154 105 155 106 156 107 157 108 158 109 159 110 160 111 161 112 162 113 163 Peer Editing Checklist 114 164 Plural Nouns 115 165 Nouns 116 166 Transition Words 117 167 118 168 119 169 120 170 121 171 Spelling Demons 122 172 Dialogue 123 173 Helping Verbs 124 174 Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences 125 175 Fragments, Run-Ons, Comma Splices 126 176 Leads 127 177 Figurative Language 128 178 Types of Sentences 129 179 Prepositional Phrases 130 180 Prepositions 131 181 Subject & Predicate 132 182 Other Synonyms II 133 183 Other Synonyms I 134 184 Synonyms for “went” 135 185 Synonyms for “said” 136 186 How to Show Character’s Emotions 137 187 Action Verbs 138 188 Active v. Passive Voice 139 189 Alliteration 140 190 Heading 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150
Writer’s Notebook p. 190
Heading
Every writing assignment you complete must have a proper heading.
Your first & last name
Class name
Teacher name
Date
Title
Example: Mary Jones
English 6B
Madigan
September 20, 2013
Dark and Stormy Night
Writer’s Notebook p. 189
Alliteration
Alliteration: repeating the beginning consonant sounds of words VOWELS = a, e, i, o, u CONSONANTS = every letter of the alphabet that is not a vowel Examples from Secret Knowledge of Adults by D. Wisniewski
• Vanquished vegetables • Packs of peas • Big bunch of broccoli • Colossal cows • Bomb-proof briefcase
Writer’s Notebook p. 188
Active v. Passive Voice
1.) Action verbs – something the subject can do (cry, smile, walk) 2.) Linking verbs – “link” the subject to the rest of the sentence
*is am are was were be being been*
Active Voice – the subject does the action Ex.) The dog bit the boy.
Passive Voice – the action is done to the subject Ex.) The boy was bitten by the dog. In this sentence, the subject (boy) is NOT doing the biting. Look for linking verbs (was) to signal Passive Voice.
Try to avoid Passive Voice in your writing! Look for linking verbs and ask yourself: Can I use action verbs instead?
Ex.) Passive voice: The test was failed by the whole class. Active voice: The whole class failed the test.
Writer’s Notebook p. 187
Action Verbs
1.) Circle the action verbs. Draw an arrow from the subject to the action verb. 2.) Look for linking verbs (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been). Try to rewrite the
sentence using action verbs.
John Henry sang and he hammered and the air danced and the rainbow
shimmered and the earth shook and rolled from the blows of the
hammer. Finally it was quiet. Slowly the dust cleared.
Folks could not believe their eyes. The boulder was gone. In its
place was the prettiest and straightest road they had ever seen. Not only
had John Henry pulverized the boulder into pebbles, he had finished
building the road.
In the distance, where the new road connected to the main one, the
road crew saw John Henry waving good-bye, a hammer on each
shoulder, the rainbow draped around him in love.
Writer’s Notebook p. 186
How to Show Character’s Emotions When writing a story, don’t simply tell how a character feels.
Use these descriptors to show the reader the character’s emotions.
Writer’s Notebook p. 185
Synonyms for “said”
in a happy way • laughed • rejoiced • giggled • joked
in a sad way • cried • agonized • bawled • blubbered • lamented • sobbed • groaned • sniveled • wept • mourned
in a bossy way • insisted • bossed • demanded • preached • dictated • professed • ordered
in an angry way • raged • miffed • seethed • fumed • retorted • thundered • blurted • barked • roared
in an upset way • cried out • cried • screamed • jabbered • bellowed • groaned • howled • shrieked • grieved • wailed • yelped
in a frightened way • quaked • stammered • shuddered • quivered • trembled
in an understanding way • empathized • accepted • consoled • crooned • comforted • sympathized • agreed
in a tired way • mumbled • struggled • emitted • wearied
in a begging way • beseeched • begged • implored • pleaded • entreated • appealed to
as an answer • responded • retorted • replied • answered • acknowledged
Writer’s Notebook p. 184
Synonyms for “went”
Writer’s Notebook p. 183
Other Synonyms I
GOOD • great • excellent • fantastic • superb • wonderful • delightful • exceptional • fine • terrific • jolly • fabulous • brilliant • killer • marvelous • outstanding • smashing
BAD • imperfect • shoddy • careless • pathetic • miserable • awful • atrocious • unacceptable • unsatisfactory • terrible • crummy • rotten • lousy • disagreeable • unpleasant • dreadful
NICE • pleasant • kind • polite • warm • good-
hearted • agreeable • lovely • well-
behaved • courteous • respectful • obedient • honorable • decent • trustworthy
WORDS TO AVOID: • things
o Things were scattered around the room. o Papers and books were scattered around the room.
• stuff o He likes soccer and stuff like that. o In addition to soccer, he likes tennis and skiing.
• got o I got a gold medal at the spelling bee. o I received a gold medal at the spelling bee.
• is/am/are o The sun is warm. o The sun’s warmth comforts me.
• was/were o We were late to the meeting. o We arrived late to the meeting.
• very o She talks very fast. o She talks extremely fast.
• always o Teachers always give homework. o The older I get, the more homework I get.
• never o Parents never understand their kids. o Parents sometimes struggle to understand their
kids. • just
o Her house is just down the street. o Her house is down the street.
Writer’s Notebook p. 182
Other Synonyms II
Writer’s Notebook p. 181
Subject & Predicate
Subject: the person, place, thing or idea that the sentence is about Predicate: tells you what happened Ex. Camp starts today. Subject: camp Predicate: starts simple subject: the main word in the complete subject. complete subject: contains all the words that help to identify the main person, place, thing, or idea of the sentence. The complete subject in each of the following sentences is italicized. The simple subject is underlined. Someone in this row is sitting in the wrong seat. A wonderful and exciting display is planned.
simple predicate: the verb or verb phrase complete predicate: the verb and all the words that describe it. The complete predicate in each of the following sentences is italicized. The simple predicate is underlined. Veronica finished the puzzle in record time.
Prepositions aboard beside(s) onto about between out above beyond outside according to but over across by past after concerning regarding against despite since ahead of down through along due to throughout alongside during to amid except toward(s) amidst for under among(st) from underneath apart in until around inside up aside instead of upon at into with because of near within before next to without behind of below off beneath on
Writer’s Notebook p. 179
Prepositional Phrases
• Begin with a preposition • End with a noun or pronoun = Object of the Preposition (OP) • Show a relationship between words:
o Where: I went to the store.
o When: We left after dinner.
o How: He washed the dishes with soapy water. More Examples: Before lunch they play on the soccer field. Throughout the year we will take notes in our Writer’s Notebooks. According to our teacher, the test is on Friday.
OP
OP
OP
OP OP
OP OP
OP OP
Writer’s Notebook p. 178
Types of Sentences 1.) Declarative
• Makes a statement • Ends with a period • Ex.) I like pizza.
2.) Imperative
• Gives a command • Ends with a period • Ex.) Finish your pizza.
3.) Interrogative
• Asks a question • Ends with a ? • Ex.) Do you like pizza?
4.) Exclamatory
• Shows strong feeling • Ends with an ! • Ex.) I love pizza!
Writer’s Notebook p. 177
Figurative Language
Simile – compares 2 unlike things using “like” or “as” Ex.) Her hair is like silk. Metaphor – compares 2 unlike things but does NOT use “like” or “as” Ex.) She has a bubbly personality. Idiom – an expression that cannot be understood using the individual meanings of words Ex.) It’s raining cats and dogs. Onomatopoeia – words that imitate the sounds they are describing Ex.) Buzz, Swish, Click Personification – giving human traits to nonhuman things Ex.) My computer hates me. The alarm clock was screaming at me. Imagery – words/phrases that help the reader “see” the story in his/her mind; describes the 5 senses: see, hear, touch, taste, smell, Ex.) I was scared.
v. Eyes wide, my hands trembled as I croaked, “Who’s there?”
Hyperbole – extreme over exaggeration Ex.) The whole world just heard you burp. My parents are going to kill me!
Writer’s Notebook p. 176
Leads
5 ways to hook the reader in the first few sentences of a story:
1. Thoughtshot – Put the reader inside a character’s mind “Why am I afraid to tell my sister how I feel?” Billy thought to himself. 2. Dialogue –Spark the reader’s interest with a character quote “Come on, Billy! Hurry! If we run, we can ride in the front car!” Lyddie squealed with excitement. 3. Question - Engage the reader by asking a question Is there any better way to spend a beautiful Saturday than at Great Adventure Amusement Park with your best friends? 4. Snapshot Setting - Create a picture in the reader's mind It was hard to walk through the throngs of people –women pushing carriages, children running and bumping into each other, older couples strolling along arm-in-arm – as bits of notes floated in between from the merry-go-round, my favorite ride. 5. Snapshot Character – Create a picture in the reader's mind Billy was not a coward. He just didn’t like the twisty, turny rides, especially the ones that turned you upside down. For an eight-year-old, he usually was pretty bold. He even didn’t mind sleeping in his own bedroom without a nightlight.
Writer’s Notebook p. 175
Fragments, Run-Ons, Comma Splices
Fragment: is missing a subject or verb
OR
is not a complete thought
Ex.) My Aunt Sally.
Whenever we go to the mall.
Run-On: a sentence with 2+ complete thoughts that run together
Ex.) Rowena and Woovis are friends they jog together twice a week.
Comma Splice: a sentence with 2 complete thoughts separated only by a comma.
Ex.) We went to the movies, I bought popcorn.
3 ways to fix a Run-On or Comma Splice:
• Use a comma AND a conjunction
We went to the movies, and I bought popcorn.
• Make two sentences
We went to the movies. I bought popcorn.
• Separate with a semicolon
We went to the movies; I bought popcorn.
Writer’s Notebook p. 174
Simple, Compound, & Complex Sentences
Independent Clause – a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence Dependent Clause – a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, more words are needed to complete the thought Simple Sentence - expresses only one complete thought. It is one independent clause. Ex.) Mary and Tom washed the dishes and put them away. Compound Sentence – two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction Ex.) The students cleared their desks, and they put their chairs on their desks. Common Conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so Complex Sentence – one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause Ex.) Whenever we go camping, mom and dad set up a six-person tent.
Writer’s Notebook p. 173
Helping Verbs
do be has may can does being have might shall did been had must will could is should am would are
was were
Exs.) We might help Tim with his homework. My parents were reading the newspaper. Did she see that movie last week?
Writer’s Notebook p. 172
Dialogue
“Today is Friday,” said Tim. Tim said, “Today is Friday.” “Is today Friday?” asked Tim. Tim asked, “Is today Friday?” “I love Fridays!” exclaimed Tim. Tim exclaimed, “I love Fridays!” Split Dialogue: “I love Fridays,” remarked Tim, “but I hate Mondays.” *always capitalize the first word in the dialogue!
Writer’s Notebook p. 171-167
Spelling Demons There – a location – “sit over there” Their – possessive pronoun – “their car is blue” They’re – they are – “they’re leaving early today” Your – possessive pronoun – “your book is lost” You’re – you are – “you’re my best friend” Its – possessive pronoun – “its fur is striped” It’s – it is – “it’s raining outside”
Writer’s Notebook p. 166
Transition Words Use these words to add fluency to your sentences in your writing.
Further/furthermore Not only ______, but also _________
Also As a matter of fact/In fact
In addition (to) Besides
Actually On the other hand
For example The fact that
However Even though
Although Due to
Because (of) For this reason
Then In that/this case
To begin with First of all
Eventually Next
Use these for a concluding sentence or paragraph:
Finally
Lastly
Overall
Therefore
To summarize
Writer’s Notebook p. 165
Nouns CONCRETE:
• People – nurse, Timothy, poet o Can you talk to it?
• Places – bank, Chicago, field o Can you go there?
• Things – shoe, Checkers, rope o Can you touch it?
ABSTRACT: • Ideas/Feelings/Emotions – hour, anger, July
o You can’t talk to it, go there, or touch it! Proper Nouns: a specific person, place, thing, or idea; gets a capital letter Ex.) Mr. Jones, Hawaii, Snuggie, Communism Common Nouns: any general person, place, thing, or idea Ex.) man, island, blanket, government POSSESSIVE NOUNS:
• Singular – add ‘s o Ex.) a boy’s hat, one house’s front door, Miss Guss’s car
• Plural, ends in “s” – add only ‘ o Ex.) three cats’ tails, many balloons’ helium, the desks’ legs
• Plural, does NOT end in “s” – add ‘s o Ex.) five children’s books, many sheep’s hooves,
Writer’s Notebook p. 164
Plural Nouns
1.Ending in a consonant and y, change the y to i and ad –es Story – stories Lady – ladies Fly - flies
2.Ending in a vowel and y, add s Monkey – monkeys Toy – toys Journey - journeys
3. Some nouns ending in –f or –fe, change the f to v and add –s or –es Knife – knives Loaf – loaves Hoof - hooves
4. Ending with a vowel and o, add s Rodeo – rodeos Radio – radios Video - videos
5. Ending in a consonant and o, add –es Potato – potatoes Hero – heroes Mosquito - mosquitoes
6. Same in singular and plural Chinese – Chinese Sheep – sheep Fish – fish (or fishes)
7. Plural of a compound noun written as a hyphenated word, make the most important word plural Sister-in-law – sisters-in-law Editor-in-chief – editors-in-chief
8. Compound word written as one word, add –s or –es Spoonful – spoonfuls Hotdog - hotdogs
9. Just strange! cactus – cacti, cactuses, cactus ox – oxen man – men fungus – fungi, funguses
10. Add –‘s to form the plural of letters, numbers, and symbols A – A’s 1980 – 1980’s 13 – 13’s
Writer’s Notebook p. 163
Peer Editing Checklist
PEER EDITING CHECKLIST IDEAS & CONTENT:
• What questions do you have while you read? • Which sections are unclear? • Where could specific details be added?
ORGANIZATION:
• Is there a clear beginning, middle, & end? • Are important points/info missing or out of place? • Is the writing confusing? If so, where?
SENTENCE FLUENCY
• Does the writing flow smoothly as you read it aloud? • Are there opportunities to join short, choppy sentences together? • Have compound & complex sentences been used? • Check for fragments and run-ons.
WORD CHOICE
• Are certain words repeated over and over? • Do sentences begin with different words? • Has the writer used “I, me, my, we, us, you”? If so, is it appropriate
for the style of writing? • AVOID: “good, bad, things, stuff, nice”
VOICE
• Does the writing use an appropriate tone? Formal v. informal? CONVENTIONS
• Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors