Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byClement McKenzie Modified over 9 years ago
1
English Honors 10August 19, 2015 Mrs. Fernandez Please remove your ball cap and place gum into the trash can.
2
August 19, 2015 Grammar The Book Thief Literary Groups 15 minutes – read Newspaper perspectives
3
Actions 1a. The cause of our schools failure at teaching basic skills is not understanding the influence of cultural background on learning. 1b. Our schools have failed to teach basic skills because they do not understand how cultural backgrounds influence the way children learn. Describe each sentence – how do they make you “feel” ?
4
Telling Stories: Characters and Actions 2a. Once upon a time, as a walk through the woods was taking place on the part of Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf’s jump out from behind a tree occurred, causing her fright. HUH ?? 2b. Once upon a time, Little Red Riding Hood was walking through the woods, when the Wolf jumped out from behind a tree and frightened her.
5
Telling Stories: characters and Actions 2a. In the less clear sentence, the two main characters n the story, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, are not subjects of any verbs, and neither of the two verbs, was taking and occurred, names a key action. 2b. In the clearer sentence, those two characters are subjects, and the verbs do name their key actions, walking, jumped, and frightened.
6
Principle of Clarity 1: Characters as Subjects The simple subjects ( boldfaced ) and main characters (italicized) are different words: Once upon a time, as a walk through the woods was taking place on the part of Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf’s jump out from behind a tree occurred, causing her fright. The subjects are not characters; they are instead actions expressed as abstract nouns, walk and jump. Contrast those abstract subjects with the concrete subjects in 2b. Notice how the subjects and the main characters are the same words: Subject : Little Red Riding Hood Verb: was walking Subject: the Wolf Verb: jumped
7
Principle of Clarity 2: Actions as Verbs In 2a, the actions and verbs are also different words: the actions are not in verbs but in abstract nouns, and the verbs that are there (was taking, occurred) express little specific action (actions are boldfaced; verbs are capitalized): Once upon a time, as a walk through the woods was TAKING place on the part of Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf’s jump out from behind a tree OCCURRED, causing her fright. Once upon a time, Little Red Riding Hood was walking through the woods, when the Wolf jumped out from behind a tree and frightened her. The actions and the verbs are the same words!
8
Verbs as actions and not Nominalizations Abstract nouns derived from verbs and adjectives, nouns ending in – tion, -ence, and so on, especially when those nouns are subjects of verbs. Verb –NominalizationAdjective--Nominalization Discover ---discoverycareless--carelessness Resist –- resistancedifferent --differences React –reaction proficient -- proficiency Also occurs with –ing We sang – our singingShe flies –her flying
9
Nominalizations Too many characterizes abstract, indirect, difficult academic and professional writing. Action s can be hidden in adjectives, also. The data ARE indicative of the problem. The data INDICATE the problem Examples: Is applicable –appliesis dubious -- doubts Is deserving -- deserves
10
Practice 1. The steering committee raised an objection to the proposed parking garage north of the stadium. When the faculty senate has made a determination about the desirability of a lecture series, a proposal will be presented to the chancellor. (Hint. Perhaps we have ONE useful nominalization.)
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.