Adding modifiers to writing

Q: What is a modifier? A: a word or phrase that modifies, or gives more information about, another word/phrase in the sentence Simple Types: adjectives (modify nouns and pronouns) (for example: the RED house) adverbs (modify verbs) (for example: he ran QUICKLY) Prep phrases (modify nouns and verbs) (he ran INTO THE FOREST)

More complex types of modifiers A: a word or phrase that modifies, or gives more information about, another word/phrase in the sentence Complex types: Slowly removing his cap, the gentleman bowed. Rolling his eyes, the boy agreed with his mother. Giving up completely, she quit college. Our church, flooded last year, is still recovering. Using a variety of pedagogical techniques, the teacher taught the students grammar.

More complex types of modifiers Use these modifiers to combine repetitive sentences, to add variety to your writing, and to vary the beginnings of your sentences. Complex types: Slowly removing his cap, the gentleman bowed. Rolling his eyes, the boy agreed with his mother. Giving up completely, she quit college. Our church, flooded last year, is still recovering. Using a variety of pedagogical techniques, the teacher taught the students grammar.

More complex types of modifiers Use these modifiers to combine repetitive sentences, to add variety to your writing, and to vary the beginnings of your sentences. Example: combine these sentences using a modifier Students should read chapter 2 tonight. They should mark the pages with important information.

More complex types of modifiers Use these modifiers to combine repetitive sentences, to add variety to your writing, and to vary the beginnings of your sentences. Example: combine these sentences using a modifier ANSWER: While reading chapter 2 tonight, students should mark the pages with important information.

More complex types of modifiers Example: combine these sentences using a modifier The professor posted the notes for students. The notes were covered in class. He was carrying a lot of books. He fell down the stairs. The martyr was killed for his Christian beliefs. The martyr was burned at the stake.

More complex types of modifiers Example: combine these sentences using a modifier Answer: The professor posted the notes covered in class for students. Carrying a lot of books, he fell down the stairs. Killed for his Christian beliefs, the martyr was burned at the stake.

More complex types of modifiers Example: combine these sentences using a modifier The students were baffled by the question. They scratched their chins like apes. Marty was a Physics major. Marty was interested in roller coasters. The mouse was tempted by the cheese. It entered the trap.

More complex types of modifiers Example: combine these sentences using a modifier Answer: The students, baffled by the question, scratched their chins like apes. Marty, a Physics major, was interested in roller coasters. The mouse, tempted by the cheese, entered the trap.

Question: do modifiers need to go at the beginning of the sentence? More complex types of modifiers Example: combine these sentences using a modifier Answer: The students, baffled by the question, scratched their chins like apes. Marty, a Physics major, was interested in roller coasters. The mouse, tempted by the cheese, entered the trap. Question: do modifiers need to go at the beginning of the sentence?

More complex types of modifiers Answer: The students, baffled by the question, scratched their chins like apes. Marty, a Physics major, was interested in roller coasters. The mouse, tempted by the cheese, entered the trap. Answer: they need to go as close as possible to the thing they modify Question: do modifiers need to go at the beginning of the sentence?

Answer: they need to go as close as possible to the thing they modify More complex types of modifiers WRONG: The students scratched their chins like apes, baffled by the question. WRONG: Marty was interested in roller coasters, a Physics major. WRONG: The mouse entered the trap, tempted by the cheese. Answer: they need to go as close as possible to the thing they modify