writer’s notebook table of contents · active v. passive voice 1.) action verbs – something the...

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


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


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.


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.


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.


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


Synonyms for “went”


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.


Other Synonyms II


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


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


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!


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!


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.


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.


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.


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?


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”


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


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,


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


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

writer’s notebook table of contents · active v. passive voice 1.) action verbs – something the...

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