3. WRITE IN ALL CAPS!!!!!!!!! A capitalized word represents a single American Sign Language sign. Ex: CHEESE

4. Several capitalized words joined together by hyphens represent a single ASL sign. Ex: DON’T-KNOW

5. Letters joined by hyphens represent a fingerspelled word. You can also write fs- in front of the word. Ex: M-A-R-Y, fs-JOHN.

6. A capitalized word preceded by the symbol, #, represents a loan sign. Ex: #GRAND+SON This is also referred to as lexicalized fingerspelling.

7. The symbol ++, after a word indicates the sign is repeated. Ex: NAME++

8. Present tense verbs only. Don’t use plurals. Time signs always go first. Question words always go last. Don’t write any words that you don’t sign.

9. Most of the time, the topic of the sentence will be mentioned first, then the comment. Example: BLACK COFFEE, MY MOM LOVE. HISTORY CLASS, J-O-E WANT GO.

10. Markers Markers are used to indicate non-manual signals needed for different types of sentences. Markers are written above the sentence (or phrase) and are written in LOWER case.

11. Information Questions The marker for an information (WH) question is _______whq_________. This indicates that your eyebrows should be squinted. It is used for any question that must be answered by giving information. The ___whq__ is only put above the question word.

12. Yes/No Questions The marker for yes/no questions is _____q_____. This marker indicates that your eyebrows should be raised. It is used for any question that can be answered with a simple yes or no.

13. Negative Statements The marker for any negative statement is _____n______ This indicates that you MUST shake your head “no”. It can be used alone to negate any statement.

14. Yes responses When you are answering a question with a positive response, the correct marker is _____y_____. This indicates that you nod your head “yes”.

15. Negative Yes/No Questions The marker for negative yes/no questions is ______nq______. This indicates that your eyebrows should be slightly raised and slightly squinted, and you should shake your head “no”. __________nq____________ EX: YOU NOT DO HOMEWORK?

16. Rhetorical Questions A rhetorical question is one that the signer answers himself. The marker for a rhetorical question is ___rq____. This indicates that your eyebrows should be raised. __rq__ Ex: I LATE WHY?, MOM SICK.

17. Other notes on Markers There is NO marker for statements. They are simply written in correct ASL Gloss. ASL uses many other markers, which will be learned as you progress further into learning the language.