’s new guitar is sweet ... replace each general phrase with a more specific word or ... pipe...
TRANSCRIPT
Name _________________________________
OGT Writing Practice PacketLesson 1: Understanding the Writing Task
Directions: For each of the following topics, decide the type of essay you would write. Persuasive, Narrative or Expository.
1. the sight of a lake at sunset
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2. how to play your favorite sport
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3. whether animals should be used to test new medicines for humans
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4. your favorite museum in Columbus
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5. your most memorable vacation
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6. whether some books should be banned in Ohio schools
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7. three friends go to Willow Lake Campground
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8. the street where you live
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9. Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night
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10.A teenager bitten by a radioactive squirrel develops super powers
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Directions: Answer the following questions about a specific writing prompt.
Prompt: Tell a story about a difficult day that turned out well. The story may be real or imagined. Be sure to use details that develop your story.
1. What is the SUBJECT of your story?
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2. Who is the AUDIENCE?
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3. What is your PURPOSE for writing?
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4. What TYPE of essay will you use?
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Prompt: Your science teacher is deciding where to go for the class’s next field trip. Her two choices are a natural history museum or a wildlife refuge. Where would you rather go? Write a letter to your teacher that clearly states your choice, then give reasons that will persuade him to adopt your point of view.
1. What is the SUBJECT of your story?
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2. Who is the AUDIENCE?
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3. What is your PURPOSE for writing?
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4. What TYPE of essay will you use?
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Lesson 2: Generating Ideas
Directions: Your essay prompt is “What is the most important invention of the last century?” Write five inventions you think would be worth considering as the topic fir such a paper.
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________
Which would you choose to write about? Why?
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Directions: Your history teacher has asked you to write a three-page profile on a significant person in
Ohio history (past or present). On the lines below, briefly describe how you would go about selecting
a subject for your paper. Be sure to give at least three details that you would use for support.
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Lesson 3: Brainstorming and Free writing
Directions: first answer the four questions for understanding the writing task. Then brainstorm by
writing down ideas that pop into your head about the topic that could be used in you essay.
Prompt: Write a narrative in which you meet one of your favorite fictional characters. The character
may be from a short story, novel, movie or TV show. Your narrative should include details related to
the setting and action of the story.
1. What is the SUBJECT of your story?
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2. Who is the AUDIENCE?
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3. What is your PURPOSE for writing?
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4. What TYPE of essay will you use?
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Brainstorming:
Lesson 4: Organizing your ideas
Directions: first answer the four questions for understanding the writing task. Then brainstorm by
writing down ideas that pop into your head about the topic that could be used in you essay. After,
create an outline for your essay using the information and details from the questions and
brainstorming.
Prompt: Write an essay about your favorite season. Why is it your favorite? Do you like to do certain
activities during this season? Do you like the weather? Whichever season you choose, be sure to
give several reasons to support your answer.
1. What is the SUBJECT of your story?
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2. Who is the AUDIENCE?
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3. What is your PURPOSE for writing?
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4. What TYPE of essay will you use?
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Brainstorming:
Outline:
Title:___________________________________________________
I. Introduction
a. Hook:
b. Thesis:
II. Body Paragraph 1
a. Main Idea:
i. Detail:
ii. Detail:
iii. Detail:
III. Body Paragraph 2
a. Main idea:
i. Detail:
ii. Detail:
iii. Detail:
IV. Body Paragraph 3
a. Main idea:
i. Detail:
ii. Detail:
iii. Detail:
V. Conclusion
a. Restate Thesis:
Lesson 5: Who’s your reader?
Directions: Determine who your reader will be and then write for that audience. This will help you
determine the tone you should take and the style you should use.
Prompt: Write a letter to your brother telling him about a stolen bicycle.
1. What is the SUBJECT of your story?
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2. Who is the AUDIENCE?
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3. What is your PURPOSE for writing?
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4. What TYPE of essay will you use?
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Your Letter:
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Prompt: Write a formal business to your parents’ insurance company. Follow the format shown below.
Include details about where and when the bike was stolen, and what the bike looks like.
Format:
Your address _______________________
Date______________________________
Their address_______________________
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Greeting_______________________________
Body of the letter___________________________________________________________________
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Closing__________________________
Signiture_________________________
1. What is the SUBJECT of your story?
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2. Who is the AUDIENCE?
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3. What is your PURPOSE for writing?
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4. What TYPE of essay will you use?
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Your insurance agent is: Ms. Shirley FeenyClaims DepartmentAssured Insurance Co.2756 Middleton LaneLima, OH 45802
Your letter:
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Lesson 6: Casual and Formal Language
Directions: Rewrite the following sentences, changing the causal language or slang into more formal language.
Example: Jane got busted trying to copy Karl’s answers.
Jane got caught trying to copy Karl’s answers.
1. Jane is burned out on babysitting.
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2. That new teacher really piles on the homework.
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3. The Bengals choked in the fourth quarter.
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4. Sheila’s dying to see an Indian’s game.
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5. Wayne’s new guitar is sweet.
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6. Billy pigged out at Cedar Point Amusement Park.
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7. Tom told us a ghost story at Indian Lake that really freaked me out.
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8. Terri would have a better chance of getting a part in the play if she would just chill a bit.
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9. We hit the Columbus Museum of Art on our way home.
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10. I gotta bounce or I’ll be late for class, and Mr. Lee will get all bent out of shape.
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Lesson 7: Finding the Right Words
Directions: Replace each general phrase with a more specific word or phrase. Be sure to use plenty
of sensory details and colorful words.
1. Some big thing a green, glowing, giant, slimy blob________________________________
2. A car ___________________________________________________________
3. A fish ___________________________________________________________
4. A flower ___________________________________________________________
5. A tree ___________________________________________________________
6. A store ___________________________________________________________
7. A game ___________________________________________________________
8. A sport ___________________________________________________________
9. A movie ___________________________________________________________
10.A magazine ___________________________________________________________
Directions: Each of the following pairs of words has a similar meaning. Using a dictionary or
dictionary.com define each word’s denotation and connotation (positive or negative).
1. underweight / puny
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2. defeated / tromped
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3. stupid / uneducated
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4. sloppy / disorganized
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5. youthful / immature
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6. scent / odor
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7. party / gathering
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Directions: Rewrite the following paragraph so that it sounds like the two characters love each other.
To do this, replace some of the ordinary language with more powerful words that connect to an
emotion. Remember to choose your words carefully so that they say exactly what you want.
The boy walked into the cafeteria and sat down. He looked at the girl seated several rows
across from him. She looked at him and spoke. He rose from his seat and walked towards her. She
stood and walked towards him. He spoke to her and then put his hand on her wrist. She put her hand
on his hand and replied. She then turned around and walked away. Before she left the cafeteria, she
looked at him one more time.
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Directions: Rewrite the following paragraph so that it sounds like the two characters hate each other.
To do this, replace some of the ordinary language with more powerful words that connect to an
emotion. Remember to choose your words carefully so that they say exactly what you want.
The boy walked into the cafeteria and sat down. He looked at the girl seated several rows
across from him. She looked at him and spoke. He rose from his seat and walked towards her. She
stood and walked towards him. He spoke to her and then put his hand on her wrist. She put her hand
on his hand and replied. She then turned around and walked away. Before she left the cafeteria, she
looked at him one more time.
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Directions: Create a simile or a metaphor to using each of the following topics.
Simile: a comparison using like or as
Metaphor: a comparison not using like or as
Example: Algebra Algebra is a jungle of overgrown calculations
1. a house ________________________________________________________________
2. a textbook ________________________________________________________________
3. a window ________________________________________________________________
4. a cat ________________________________________________________________
5. a phone ________________________________________________________________
6. a full moon ________________________________________________________________
Lesson 8: Writing Varied Sentences
It is important to use a variety of sentence lengths in order to make your essay dynamic and
interesting. Read the following definitions below and complete the practice activity.
Simple Sentence: contains a subject and a verb.
Ex: Terrence plays the tuba.
Sentence Fragment: a group of words that does not express a complete thought.
Ex: Terrence’s daily tube practice.
Compound Sentence: has two or more independent clauses.
Ex: We played ping-pong at the rec center, and I won two games.
Complex Sentence: is made up of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
Ex: If you promise not to sing at my party, I’ll give you an extra piece of cake.
Directions: Identify the structure of each of the following sentences by writing simple, compound or
complex.
1. After we got home from the movie, we put some frozen pizzas in the oven. _______________
2. Maria is on the Miami University cross-country team, and her twin sister Teresa is on the swim
team. ____________________________
3. You should bring your umbrella to the Bobcats game in case it rains. ____________________
4. My brother and I went canoeing down the Hocking River. ______________________
5. Ever since Max beat me in ping-pong, I’ve been waiting for a rematch. ___________________
6. We went tobogganing at Punderson State Park on Saturday, and even though it was bitter
cold, we had a great time. ________________________________
7. Steve Martin is my dad’s favorite comedian, and Adam Sandler is my favorite. _____________
Directions: Decide how to combine each set of sentences into a new sentence. Write your new
sentence on the lines provided.
1. Most sharks are predatory.
The largest shark species do not attack, even when provoked.
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2. The whale shark is largest fish in the world.
It can grow up to 50 feet in length.
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3. Whale sharks are slow-moving plankton eaters.
Whale sharks are not dangerous to humans.
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4. Most humans are afraid of sharks.
Only a few predatory shark species engage in unprovoked attacks.
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5. Humans are the shark’s greatest enemy.
Humans kill sharks for food, shark oil and sport.
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Directions: Create a list based on each topic and then turn that list into a parallel sentence.
1. Make a list of three goals you hope to accomplish during your high school career. Start
each item with the word “to”.
a. to make good friends_____________________________
b. to pass the state writing test________________________
c. to learn how to make movies_______________________
Sentence: During my high school career, I want to make good friends, pass the state
writing test and learn how to make movies._________________________________
2. List three activities a high school student might do to get in better shape.
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
Sentence:
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3. Choose three people you know. Write their names plus a phrase beginning with “who” that
describes them. (Ex: Paul, who is always making jokes)
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
Sentence:
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Directions: Rewrite the following paragraph so that the sentence structure varies from sentence to
sentence. Try to combine sentences in several different ways so that the paragraph becomes more
dynamic but it still easy to understand.
Books are a great escape. Books help people forget their troubles. People forget their troubles for a little while. Different people like different types of books. Some people like mysteries. Some like detective novels. Some like romances. Some like westerns. I like horror stories. I like stories about monsters. I like stories about people with strange powers. The stories are very exciting. Horror novels make me feel scared. I feel scared in a good way, like going on a roller coaster. Being scared wakes me up. These stories are full of excitement. Weird things happen. These stories put some adventure in my life. I finish one horror novel. I go out and buy another one. I can’t put these books down. In my opinion, horror novels are the best.
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Lesson 9: Paragraphs and Transitions
It is important that you don’t expect your audience to read your entire composition in one big chunk. Instead, break it up into logical sections. These sections are the paragraphs of your composition. Each paragraph focuses on one aspect of your topic, and your readers can concentrate on that aspect before moving on to the next one. The following tips describe a few things every well-written paragraph should do.
Tip 1: Each paragraph should focus on one major area. Tip 2: Each paragraph should reflect the main idea of the composition. Tip 3: Each paragraph should have a topic sentence, a body and a conclusion.
Directions: Arrange the following sentences into one complete paragraph.
Morgan was a gifted inventor and the first African American in Cleveland to own an automobile.
Police Officers had to constantly stand in intersections to direct busy traffic.
Many others attempted to invent traffic signals, but Morgan’s light is the design that is used both in Cleveland and in the rest of the United States.
Cleveland, Ohio can say that it is home to America’s first traffic light.
In the United States, Garrett Morgan realized that there was a need to control traffic more easily.
Even before cars were on the road, in the days of the horse and buggy, traffic in big cities was a problem.
Using his gifts, Morgan created the electric automatic traffic light.
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Transitions
In order to write an effective composition, you need to put your sentences and paragraphs in a logical order. Each sentence or paragraph should flow naturally from the one before it. This is where transitions come in.
Tip 4: Use transitions to show your reader how your ideas fit together.
Transitions: are words, phrases or sentences that help your reader understand how your ideas fit together to support your main topic. They also make your writing easier to read by creating a flow of ideas between sentences and paragraphs.
Tip 5: Use transitions to make clear connections between paragraphs.
Practice Activity 2
Directions: Choose the transition word that makes the most sense in the context of each sentence.
1. I would like to perform a complicated science experiment, (but / since) all I have is a cup of water and some rocks.
2. “I need to take these books to the Cleveland library,” my older brother said. “(Therefore / Afterward), we can stop at Diary Land for ice cream.”
3. Tamara would like to go to the Ohio Hills folk music festival; (however / in addition), she has to study for her geometry exam.
4. “There are several reasons why I missed gym class,” Anthony said. “(First / On the other hand), the school bus was twenty minutes late.”
5. My dog went swimming in Lake Erie; (although / as a result), I had to give him three baths.
Practice Activity 3
Directions: The transitions have been removed from the following passage. Decide which transition makes the most sense in each paragraph. Then put the letter of the transition on the corresponding line.
A. Without workers like the key grip, best boy and gaffer, the rest of the movie crew would be at a loss.
B. The next time you go to the movies, don’t rush out of the theater too soon.C. Some titles are obvious: There’s the director, the writer and the actors and actresses who help
bring the film to life.
Behind the Scenes
Have you ever stayed in a movie theater after the film has ended? Maybe you’ve waited for the crowds to clear out, or maybe you wanted to watch the credits to find out the name of an actor who looks really familiar. If you sit through all of the credits, you’ll see a lot of names. In fact, you’ll see the name of every person who helped out, from the time the movie was just an idea to the time it appeared on the screen. Sometimes, the job titles listed in the credits might look unfamiliar. Once you understand what each job is, you can better appreciate its importance.
1.___________ These people are very important to a film’s success, but what about everyone else listed in the credits – like the key grip, the best boy and the gaffer? Even though these titles may be less familiar to the average moviegoer, the people who hold these positions are absolutely essential to the moviemaking process. The key grip is the movie’s “handyperson,” and he or she is responsible for a variety of tasks. Key grips must move film sets, build platforms and serve as the film’s carpenter, among other things. The best boy is the key grip’s assistant or apprentice, usually a younger person who helps keep things in shape around the set. The gaffer, too, has a huge responsibility: He or she is the chief electrician and is responsible for all the lighting on the set.
2.___________ Other crew members work closely with them in order to make a set come to life. The prop person (short for “property person”) is responsible for finding, maintaining and placing all props on a set. The set decorator gives a movie set its feel by dressing it with furnishings such rugs, lamps, wall paintings and more. Keep these people in mind when watching a film that takes place in an elaborate castle or on another planet.
3.____________ Instead, stay to watch the credits. By doing so, you’ll be showing appreciation for the many people who work to bring films to the big screen. As you can see, a great movie requires more than just a good director, actors and actresses. Filmmaking requires a whole crew of talented individuals!
Unit 2 OGT Practice – Drafting
Directions: Write a first draft of your response to the following prompt. Make sure you use the correct format and incorporate the lessons that you have learned so far.
Topic: Imagine that you are a member of a group of high school students who are in charge of creating a time capsule. As a committee member, you must recommend three items that you believe reflect your culture enough to be placed in the time capsule. In a letter to your group, list your three suggested items and explain why each should be included. This time capsule, which will be opened in one hundred years, should let people know what life was like at the beginning of the 21st century.
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Unit 3 Revising, Editing and Proof
Lesson 10 – Revision Strategies
Tip 1: Reread and think about your writing to make sure it is clear. Tip 2: Make sure your introduction clearly tells what your topic is.
The following paragraph is the introduction to a student essay written for an English class. Read, it then answer the following question.
During the 1920s, many American writers left their homes and traveled to France. Before long, the cafes of Paris were filled with these expatriates (people who leave their home country and take up residence in a new one). Such renowned authors as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway made up this elite community of writers. During their time abroad, these expatriate authors wrote some of their finest works and gained many new insights into the human condition.
a) What is the most likely topic of the student’s essay?a. The nature of French society in the 1920sb. The life and writing of American expatriate authors in Parisc. The belief that all writers should travel and work overseasd. The suggestion that Hemingway was a better writer than Fitzgerald
Tip 3: Maintain a consistent focus across paragraphs Tip 4: Get rid of off-topic ideas
Read the following paragraph.
1. Every year, thousands of people descend on Cleveland for the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival. 2. In 1982, John O’Brien founded the festival to honor the traditions of Ireland, his native country. 3. The festival showcases the great music, literature and art of Ireland, as well its rich sense of community. 4. James Joyce may be Ireland’s most famous writer. 6. During the festival, more than 24 performers play on nine stages, including harpists, pipe bands, Celtic dancers, and rock bands. 6. People from throughout the United States and Europe travel to Cleveland for the festival. 7. It has become one of the largest Irish festivals in the United States, with more than 30,000 people attending each year.
2. What is the main idea of this paragraph?
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3. Which sentence does NOT belong in the paragraph?
a. Sentence 2b. Sentence 3
c. Sentence 4d. Sentence 6
Tip 5: Rearrange words, sentences and paragraphs so that ideas flow logically. Tip 6: Add sentences and ideas that help explain your main idea.
Read the following paragraph.
Butterflies are beautiful creatures, and we often feel lucky to see one flying by. But did you know that you can attract dozens of butterflies to your home? You can turn part of your backyard into a “butterfly garden” by planting flowers that are especially attractive to butterflies, such as hibiscus. _________________________________________________. They like open areas in which they can sun themselves. Finally, butterflies love overripe fruit. Just make sure that it doesn’t attract uninvited guests, like raccoons!
5. Which sentence BEST fits in the blank?
a. Also, keep in mind that butterflies are cold-blooded creatures.b. Many cultures believe that butterflies bring good luck.c. Butterflies are the end result of a process known as metamorphosis.d. Zoos around the world have constructed beautiful butterfly houses.
Tip 7: Add connection and transition words to make your writing flow. Tip 8: Make sure to wrap up your writing with a closing statement or a summary of the
important ideas. Tip 9: Learn how to use editing marks to make changes. Tip 10: For a thorough, organized approach to revision, use a checklist.
Checklist for Revision
o Does the writing have a clear main idea and purpose?o Is the main idea clearly related to the assignment? Are all parts of the assignment fulfilled?o Does the writing stay focused on the main idea?o Is the main idea developed and supported by details, facts, examples or explanations? Are
there any irrelevant or loosely connected details that need to be removed?o Does the writing engage and hold the reader’s attention?o Is the writing logical, well organized and complete, with a clear beginning, middle and end? Are
the ideas put in the best possible order?o Does each paragraph focus on a single important idea that supports the main idea?o Are the ideas well connected with appropriate transitions?o Are the ideas clearly expressed? Do the sentences flow smoothly?o Does the writing use a variety of vivid words, phrases and sentences that make the writing
interesting and enjoyable to read? Does the writing use appropriate vocabulary?o Does the writing use a consistent style and ton that is appropriate for the audience and
purpose? Does the writer’s voice come through in the writing?
Lesson 11 – Fixing Fragments and Run-Ons
Fragments and run-ons are sentences that are not complete or do not flow in a logical way.
Tip 1: Turn sentence fragments into complete sentences by adding a subject or a predicate.
Practice Activity 1
Directions: Add a subject or predicate to make each fragment into a complete sentence.
1. The rodeo clown _____________________________________________________________.
2. ______________________________________ jumped from the castle window into the moat.
3. The pizza delivery guy ________________________________________________________.
4. _______________________________________ flew the spaceship through an asteroid belt.
5. My favorite writer ____________________________________________________________.
Lesson 12 Punctuation
End Punctuation
Tip 1: Use a question mark at the end of sentences that ask a question. Tip 2: Use an exclamation point ONLY for interjections (Oops! Wow!) or statements of great
excitement or emotion. Tip 3: Use a period at the end of all other kinds of statements.
Practice Activity 1
Directions: Add the appropriate end punctuation to the following paragraph.
How big is a grizzly bear _____ Full-grown grizzlies commonly reach six to eight feet in length____ An adult male can weigh up to 500 pounds, while the more petite females usually weigh between 350 and 400 pounds _____ For animals this large and powerful, eating is serious business_____ Grizzlies generally eat berries, roots, fish and small animals _____ How much would you guess a single grizzly can eat in just one active fall day_____ Would you believe 80 to 90 pounds of food_____ Now that’s an appetite_____
Commas
Tip 4: Use a comma after each item in a series except the last two.
My favorite foods are pizza, apples, chocolate chip cookies and squid. Tip 5: Use a comma after introductory clauses or phrases.
After I come home for seeing scary movie, every little noise makes me jump. Tip 6: Use commas to set off appositives.
That guy, the tall one with the red hair, is my oldest brother. Tip 7: Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.
On the contrary, I think you were right to tell him the truth.
Practice Activity 2
Directions: Proofread the sentences that follow. Place a comma wherever one is needed. Each of the following sentences will need at least one comma.
1. In the bottom of the ninth inning Terry hit a home run with bases loaded. 2. He is I can assure you the most entertaining teacher in the school.3. That girl the one with the box of donuts is someone I’d like to know.4. I went to the store to buy eggs flour baking soda chocolate chips butter and milk.5. Whenever we go to the movies with my brother always wants to sit in the front row.
Quotation Marks
Tip 8: Use quotation marks to show when someone is speaking.“How long have you worked at Hedgewick Manor?” he said.
Tip 9: Do not use quotation marks when telling about what someone said.Wendy said her goal in life was to be a famous mystery writer like Agatha Christie. She took the maid’s job as a way to make a living while she wrote her first novel.
Practice Activity 9
Directions: Insert quotation marks in the appropriate places in the following sentences.
1. Would you like some dessert? Erika asked. She said she had some ice cream in the freezer.
2. Charlie said he thought we should make camp on higher ground. It’s supposed to rain hard tonight, he said, and I don’t think we should be too close to the creek.
3. What do you want me to do for you next? Jessica asked her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Fisher. I’m all done raking your leaves.
4. Owen said he wanted to go with us, but he didn’t have time. I have a test in my history class tomorrow, he said, and I’ve still got a few chapters to read.
5. We called out for Edwina but couldn’t find her anywhere. Finally, we heard her shouting from somewhere up in the treetops. Hello! Hello! I’m up here! she cried.
Lesson 13 Capitalization
Tip 1: Capitalize the first letter of the first word of every new sentence. Tip 2: Capitalize the proper names of places.
Maple Street – Cleveland – Muskingum River Tip 3: Capitalize the names of days, months and holidays. Tip 4: Capitalize family relationships with names.
Uncle Clark – Aunt Gwen – Grandma Tasha Tip 5: Capitalize names of organizations, businesses, athletic teams and product brands.
Nike – Red Cross – Cheetos Tip 6: Capitalize the titles of books, movies, TV shows, songs, plays, poems and stories. Tip 7: Capitalize the names of nationalities, ethnic groups and langages.
Practice Activity
Directions: Rewrite the following sentences, capitalizing every letter necessary. If you need to, look back at the previous tips for help.
1. my aunt heather, who is my mom’s twin sister, lives in adario, ohio. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. my friend paul’s birthday is on the fourth of july, which is also calvin coolidge’s birthday.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. my friends and i rented the lord of the rings last saturday. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. my uncle ted works at the old navy store on maple street. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. next thursday through sunday, mom and i will be out of town visiting grandma and grandpa in salem, ohio. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. my norweigian friends, who grew up in oslo, norway, love living in piqua.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________