Interrupting Modifier Between S and V Subject (,) modifier (,) verb Interrupting Modifier Between S and V Subject (,) modifier (,) verb. Subject – modifier – verb. Sentence Type #2

The Use of Modifiers Writers use modifiers to: Add Description Vary Structure Emphasize Details Increase Readability

The Use of Modifiers Writers should aim for variety in the length, type, and location of modifiers. Participial Phrase: often begins with an “-ing” form of a verb Appositive Phrase: identifies or renames an adjacent noun or pronoun Absolute Phrase: resembles a complete sentence with a missing auxiliary verb

Participial Phrases Quickly he builds a small fire and then skins the rat, shaving off the skin a strip at a time. - Jennifer Toth My parents were still at the table, drinking coffee. - Annie Dillard Nudging the shade aside with the rifle barrel, I followed people in my sights as they walked or drove along the street. - Tobias Wolff

Appositive Phrases He walks behind a raised bunker, a ten-foot-high concrete wall that once served as a rest and tool shack for track maintenance workers. - Jennifer Toth It was a helter-skelter stampede, a headlong rush in circles. - Paul Auster A thin, tough, leathery membrane that encases the brain, the dura is dark pink, almost red. - David Noonan

Absolute Phrases Feet squeaking on the floor, we worked out until I had the moves down cold. -Tobias Wolff "Right or left?" I yell into the darkness, my fright verging on panic. - Jennifer Toth His head is shaved, his eyes and nose taped shut. - David Noonan

Sentence Type #2 (,) Subject, Modifier, Verb. A small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, can make millions think. Donuts and Danish pastries, popular breakfast foods, contain little nutrition. Typewriters, once common in schools and offices, are rarely seen or used now.

Sentence Type #2 (–) Subject, Modifier, Verb. Wolves – once feared and killed – are being reintroduced into the environment. The Mustangs – fighting and struggling – came from behind to win the game.

Sentence Type #2 As a class, we will fill in the blanks: The students, _____________________, did not want to read The Odyssey. Odysseus, with ___________________, was able to defeat the one-eyed giant, Polyphemus. The teacher – _____________________ – wanted her students to do their best.

Sentence Check: Got it? If you get confused as to whether or not you have a complete sentence, there is a trick to figure it out.

Sentence Check: Got it? Take the middle part, the modifier: The angry student, throwing papers and stomping, refused to do their work.

Sentence Check: Got it? …and do this: (Delete the modifier!) The angry student, throwing papers and stomping, refused to do their work. The angry student refused to do their work. The commas go away and it turns into a subject + verb sentence.

Sentence Type #2 You should now have the ability to write a sentence that contains a modifier. Remember the trick to check whether or not it is a complete sentence…DELETE THE MODIFIER! We will create a sentence wall and the patterns will remain on the wall for the year. Soon…I promise.