The Quick & Dirty to Appositive Phrases Chawanna Chambers, M.Ed.

What is an appositive phrase? An appositive is a re-naming or amplification of a word that immediately precedes or follows it. Usually adds more information though it is not necessary to understand the sentence. They may be at the beginning (sentence opener), middle (subject-verb split), or end (sentence closer) of a statement. What is an appositive phrase?

Why use them? Description and elaboration Sophistication Paint a picture for the audience Sophistication Appropriate use of appositives are indicative of a sophisticated writer. Why use them?

Sentence Opener Appositives One of the eleven brothers and sisters, Harriet was a moody, willful child. A balding, smooth-faced man, he could have been anywhere between forty and sixty. A short, round boy of seven, he took little interest in troublesome things, preferring to remain on good terms with everyone. Sentence Opener Appositives

Subject-Verb Split Appositives My favorite teacher, a fine chess player in her own right, has won several state- level tournaments. The best exercise, walking briskly, is also the least expensive. Michelle's goal in life, to become an occupational therapist, is within her grasp this year, at last. Subject-Verb Split Appositives http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/phrases.htm

Sentence Closer Appositives The boy looked at them, big black ugly insects. Hour after hour he stood there, silent, motionless, a shadow carved in ebony and moonlight. He had the appearance of a man who had done a great thing, something greater than any ordinary man would do. Sentence Closer Appositives

Punctuating Appositives Sentence Openers Place a comma at the end of the opener A hot-tempered tennis player, Robbie charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket. Subject-Verb Split (middle) Surround the appositive with commas Robbie, a hot-tempered tennis player, charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket. Punctuating Appositives

Punctuating Appositives Sentence Closers Place a comma before the appositive Upset by the bad call, the crowd cheered Robbie, a hot-tempered tennis player who charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket. Punctuating Appositives

Guided Practice Group Rotations

Killgallon, Don. Sentence Composition for High School Killgallon, Don. Sentence Composition for High School.Portsmouth: Boynton/Cook Publishers, 1998 Simmons, Robin. “The Appositive.” chompchomp.com. Web. 2013. Works Cited