Definitions for Language Arts 6:
(LA.06.01) Correct sentence fragments:
Definition: Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences. They do not express a complete thought.
| Missing subjects: The subject tells who or what is acting in the sentence. |
Example: Hits a lot of home runs. Correct: Alex hits a lot of home runs. | |
| Missing predicates: The predicate is the part of the sentence that shows action or says something about the subject. |
Example: On Tuesday, Thomas and his friends. Correct: On Tuesday, Thomas and his friends went to the store. | |
| Add auxiliary verbs to gerunds: Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs that help determine the verb tense. Gerunds are verbs that become nouns when they have the “ing” ending. |
Example: He running for healthy exercise. Correct: He has been running for healthy exercise. | |
| Change infinitives to verbs: An infinitive is a verb form that is usually introduced by “to”. It may be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. |
Example: "To play is a child’s delight" is an infinitive form of a verb. Correct: "The child plays in the park all day" uses the verb form of the word play. |
(LA.06.02) Correct sentence syntax:
Definition: The order and relationship of words in a sentence. It is the basic pattern of a sentence. The sentence "My friend writes funny stories" has the following syntax: subject + action verb + adjective+ direct object.
| Passive constructions: Sentences written in the passive state of being which is when the subject is having something done to it, rather than doing the action itself. Passive verbs require helping verbs. |
Example: Jenny hugged by her mother. Correct: Jenny was hugged by her mother.. | |
| Run-on sentences: A run-on sentence is two or more sentences connected without any punctuation. |
Example: I thought the game would never end we won the game. Correct: I thought the game would never end. We won the game. | |
| Comma splice errors: A splice error is when only a comma connects two independent clauses, creating a run-on sentence called a common splice. An independent clause presents a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Independent clauses must be connected by a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction (or, and, for, but, so, yet,). |
Example: The air is cold, put on some warm gloves. Correct: The air is cold; put on some warm gloves. Correct: The air is cold, so put on some warm gloves. | |
| Parallel structure: Parallel structure is the repeating of phrases or sentences, which are similar in meaning and structure. |
Example: Parallel structure is the repeating of phrases or sentences, which are similar in meaning and structure. Correct: "Let it be known that we will pay any price, bear any burden, support any friend in order to succeed." | |
| Supply predicate to both clauses: A clause is a group of related words, which has both a subject and a predicate. A complex sentence is one that contains one independent clause or one or more dependent clauses connected by words like: because, after, when, which or that. |
Example: Tim is wearing a white shirt because he in the band. Correct: Tim is wearing a white shirt because he is playing in the band. | |
| Subject-verb agreement: Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb must agree in person and number. |
Singular: The girl was proud of her grades. Plural: Her parents were proud of her grades. | |
| Use auxiliary verbs to demonstrate tense: Tense refers to time and a present tense sentence must have a present tense verb; past tense must have a past tense verb and future tense, a future tense verb. Auxiliary verbs help define the tense. |
Past: The batter was hitting the baseball. Present: The batter is hitting the baseball. Future: The batter will hit the baseball. |
(LA.06.03) Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs:
Definition: The comparative form of an adjective or adverb compares two persons, places, things, or ideas by adding -er, more, or less. The superlative form of an adjective or adverb compares three or more persons, places, things or ideas, by adding -est, most, or least.
Examples: tall, taller, tallest - happy, happier, happiest - softly, more softly, most softly
(LA.06.03) Transform adjectives to adverbs by adding "-ly":
Definition: Words that end in -ly are adverbs. Many adjectives can become adverbs by adding -ly. Examples include smooth and smoothly, loud and loudly, part and partly.
Examples: Adjective: The painting of the sky was beautiful.
Adverb: The painting of the sky was beautifully done.
(LA.06.03) Function of adjectives and adverbs:
Definition: An adjective is a word that describes nouns or pronouns. An adverb is a word that describes verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. An adverb tells how, when, why, how often, or how much.
Examples: Adjectives: That is a large house. We see a beautiful sky. That one will be next.
Adverbs: Our plane landed smoothly. We were extremely excited. We walked rather quickly.
(LA.06.04) Combine two sentences:
Definition: The goal in combining sentences is to reduce words and clarify meaning.
| Economy of words: Combine two sentences to achieve the smallest number of words. |
Example: He ran down the road. While he was running, he tripped. Combined: He tripped as he ran down the road. | |
| Show the relationship between ideas: Sometimes sentences should be combined to more clearly show the relationship between the two. |
Example: He studied long hours. He passed the test. Combined: He studied long hours, so he passed the test. | |
| Conjunctive adverbs: A conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses. (however, also, besides, for example, then, therefore, instead) |
Example: The rules are easy. They are not followed Combined: The rules are easy; however, they are not followed. | |
| Coordinating conjunctions: A coordinating conjunction connects a word to a word, a phrase to a phrase, or a clause to a clause. These words, phrases, or clauses are of the same importance or are of the same type. (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) |
Example: We had planned to go swimming. Then it rained. Combined: We had planned to go swimming, but then it rained. | |
| Apposition: An appositive phrase renames the noun or pronoun before it. Commas separate it. |
Example: Mr. Jones is our scout leader. He said that we are taking a hiking trip tomorrow. Combined: Mr. Jones, our scout leader, said we are taking a trip tomorrow. | |
| Relative clauses: A relative clause is a dependent clause that is connected to an independent clause with a pronoun. (what, who, whose, whom, which, that) |
Example: Mr. Jones has been our scout leader. He is moving away. Combined: Mr. Jones, who has been our scout leader, is moving away. | |
| Nominalization: Nominalization means that a noun or pronoun is used as the subject of the sentence. |
Example: The tree is very tall. The tree is also very old. Combined: The tree is very tall and it is also very old. | |
| Serial clauses or phrases: Serial clauses are clauses used in a series. |
Example: Tommy likes to fish. He likes to hunt large moose. Tommy also likes to ride fast snowmobiles. Combined: Tommy likes to fish, hunt large moose, and ride fast snowmobiles. | |
| Predicate nominatives: A predicate nominative is a noun that follows a “to be” verb and renames the subject. |
Example: Bobby liked to skateboard. The best skateboarder on the block was Bobby. Combined: Bobby was the best skateboarder on the block. | |
| Parallel constructions: Parallel constructions are repeated phrases and sentences that are similar in meaning and structure. |
Example: Let everyone know, whether they wish us well, or ill, that we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship and support our friends in acquiring success. |
(LA.06.06) Use commas to set off a direct quotation:
Definition: A direct quotation is what someone is saying.
Example: Sammy said to his mother, "Don’t worry, I will not be late."
(LA.06.06) Use apostrophes to show contraction:
Definition: An apostrophe is used to show that one or more letters have been left out of a word.
Example: don’t = do not; she’d = she would
(LA.06.07) Use pronouns correctly:
Definition: A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun.
Example: I, you, she, it, themselves, me, he. mine, etc.
| Subject or object forms of pronouns: A pronoun is in the nominative case when it is used as a subject of the sentence, which is the person or thing doing the acting. A pronoun is in the objective case when is a direct object, or receiving action. (I, me) |
Example: I am telling this story. Lisa will tell the story to me later. | |
| Match pronoun and antecedent: An antecedent is the noun the pronoun refers to. |
Example: The minister raised a glass of water to his lips. The singers wished they could perform again. | |
| Relative pronouns: A relative pronoun relates one part of a sentence to a word in another part of the sentence. (who, which, that) |
Example: The boy who hit the ball gasped as it went through a window. | |
| Reflexive pronouns: A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that emphasizes the noun or pronoun it refers to. (myself, himself) |
Example: Tommy himself delivered all the papers. |
(LA.06.08) Subject-verb agreement:
Definition: Subject verb agreements means that the parts of a sentence must ‘agree’ with each other. If a singular subject is used, then a singular verb must also be used. If a plural subject is used then plural subjects and plural verbs must also be used.
Example: A small dog barks. Small dogs bark.
(LA.06.09) Variety of literary genres:
Definition: A genre is a type of literary work with a distinctive style, form, or content.
Tall tale: A humorous story with elements of exaggeration. (Paul Bunyan)
Biography: A story of a person's life written by someone else.
Autobiography: A story of a person's life written by that person.
Myth: A myth is a story that explains objects or events in the world caused by a supernatural force. (Greek myths such as the story of the Cyclones.)
Drama: Drama is a play or story told through characters and usually of a serious nature - containing characters, dialog, and stage directions. (The Miracle Worker is a drama based on the life of Helen Keller.)
(LA.06.10) Interpret poetry:
Definition: Interpreting poetry is telling what a poem is about. Understanding the purpose of different types of poetry helps to contribute toward an understanding of the interpretation.
Narrative/ballad is a verse that tells a story. Most ballads have four-line stanzas. ("The Ballad of Davey Crockett," which can also be a song.)
True verse is poetry that usually does not rhyme
Lyric poetry is highly musical verse that expresses the emotions of a speaker yet does not tell a story. (Carl Sandburg’s “Under the Yellow Moon.”)
Limerick is a five-line light verse. The first, second and fifth lines end with one rhyme. The third and fourth lines end with another.
Haiku is a traditional Japanese three-line poem. It has five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
Rap is improvised rhymed verse that is chanted or sung to music.
(LA.06.11) Analyze literary techniques:
Moral orientation and attributes: Are the characters kind, gentle, jealous, selfish, mean?
Metaphorical language: Metaphorical language is used to speak or write about one thing as if it were another. (My skateboard is a rocket. Her expression was like ice.)
Dialog and narrative description: Dialog is conversation between characters. A narrative description is work of fiction that can be told by the character or another person who witnessed or heard about the story.
Diagrams, maps, and story boards: A diagram is an outline or note taking format for recalling the happenings in a story. It could also be a drawing such as the skeletal system with labeled parts. A map is a drawing highlighting characters or events in a story. An example of a story board is a flannel board where words, sentences, names of characters or key ideas are placed on the board to recall a story.
Theme: The statement about life that an author is trying to get across in a piece of writing. It is usually implied rather than directly stated.
Tone: The overall feeling, or effect, created by a writer's use of words. This feeling may be serious, humorous, or satiric.
Authorial intent: What does the author want you to think, to feel, to conclude?
(LA.06.13) Literal meaning:
Definition: Literal meaning refers the exact meaning of the reading selection without examining for meaning on a deeper level that is abstract or not directly stated. Simply put, it is literally what happened in what order in the reading selection.
(LA.06.14) Inferences:
Definition: Inference is assuming meaning from evidence stated; to make logical conclusions from facts known or assumed to be true.
Abstract language refers to words like hope, pride, love, something that cannot be directly seen, heard, touched or smelled.
Synthesize: To synthesize means to combine texts together, to create a whole image, or put together a whole story, from putting together parts from different sources.
Authorial purpose: Is the author writing to give directions, or telling a story with adventure or humor?
(LA.06.15) Process diagram:
Definition: Process diagram means to diagram the sequence of happenings in the story.
(LA.06.16) Metaphor, simile, and personification:
Definition: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things without using the words like or as. (My skateboard is a rocket.) A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words like or as. (My skateboard is like a rocket.) Personification means to give human traits to something not human. (The tree whispered in the wind.)
(LA.06.16) Symbols given in a key:
Definition: A key is information given in a table to help interpret information. A map key shows the symbols on a map and what they stand for, such as roads, homes, churches, and schools, or perhaps different colors for different amounts or precipitation, etc. Keys are also often used with graphs or charts to show what the symbols represent. These symbols may be little pictures, or perhaps different styles of bars in a bar graph.
(LA.06.17) Connotations:
Definition: A connotation is an emotional association attached to a word or statement.
Example: Strange has a negative connotation whereas unique has a positive connotation.
(LA.06.17) Synonyms:
Definition: A synonym is a word that means the same.
Example: She bought a small plant. It was a tiny plant.
(LA.06.17) Analogies:
Definition: Analogies are words that compare ideas or objects that are completely different, but alike in one important way.
Example: He was as sharp as a pin.
(LA.06.19) Two tier formal outlines:
Definition: A two tier outline uses I as the main topic and A. as a subtopic. It develops from general to specific.
Example: I. The First President of the United States
A. George Washington
(LA.06.21) Process approach:
Definition: A step-by-step approach to the process of writing.
Example: The process approach consists of pre-write, write, edit, rewrite.
(LA.06.22) Transition words:
Definition: Transition words are words that are used to connect ideas and show the relationship between them.
Example: First, next, finally, after that, etc.
(LA.06.23) Topic sentences:
Definition: Most paragraphs begin with a topic sentence, although it can be elsewhere in the paragraph. It is the topic sentence which tells readers what the paragraph is about. A formula for an effective topic sentence is an interesting topic plus a specific feeling or feature about the subject.
Example: "October 2002 brought unrelenting rain and flooding to the Kenai Peninsula that the residents will not soon forget!"
(LA.06.23) Chronological order:
Definition: Chronological order refers to the order in which events happened; from the first event to the last.
(LA.06.23) Supporting sentences:
Definition: The other sentences in the paragraph provide details with support the point made in the topic sentence.
Example: "The rain began in September, which is not unusual. However, it did not let up and the ground soon become completely water-logged until the flooding began."
(LA.06.23) Irrelevant sentences:
Definition: Irrelevant sentences are sentences that have no relationship to the rest of the sentence.
Example: I was skiing when I heard the sound of snow thundering down the mountain. My new dog just had puppies. I thought I was about to be caught in an avalanche.
(LA.06.23) Showing and telling sentences:
Definition: A showing sentence is a "slice-of-life" which demonstrates something to the reader rather than simply telling them what something is like.
Showing example: "The rain poured for days and days in October of 2002 until the ground crumbled. The bridges were undermined by the soft wet earth dropping away until the bridges themselves also floated away. The breach lasted for four days as the crews worked feverishly in the steady downpour to re-establish the link between Homer and Anchorage."
Telling example: "The fall of 2002 was rainy in southcentral Alaska. Bridges washed out and Homer was cut off from Anchorage for four days.
©2003 Galena City School District
