Absolutes

In your EW Journal: Write a paragraph of at least 5 sentences describing a sporting event or activity that involved you personally. The event you write about doesn’t need to be a formal competition. It could be when you learned to swim, first skateboarded, tried hunting, practiced the piano or rode your bike across town. Try to provide interesting details that were unique to your experience. Find an exciting place to begin your story. Perhaps how you were feeling as you approached the event.

I backed up the trail to give myself space to clip my shoes into the pedals. I could hear the voices of my friends as they taunted me, telling me to hurry. My heart quickened a little as I started riding towards the bridge. I couldn’t see over the end but knew that a steep drop waited for me. I was leaning to the right but was able to correct myself before my front wheel dropped in front of me. Before I knew it, I was sweeping down the rough-hewn boards and speeding toward the connecting narrow plank bridge that was only two feet off the ground but seemed much higher. I managed to keep my balance but veered left. I pulled up just in time to drop off the side of the bridge and land safely on both wheels. My friends laughed, saying I didn’t make it. Perhaps I didn’t make it to the end, but I did something they were too chicken to even try!

Absolute Phrases Absolute Phrases consist of a noun and a verb ending with “ing” or “ed” which is added to a base sentence to help create a clearer picture for the reader. bat swinging palms sweating nouns action verbs

Faces beaming happily, the two superstars signed autographs for hours.

Faces smudged with ash, the firefighters sifted through the rubble.

His rifle clutched tightly to his body, the soldier knelt to catch his breath.

Base sentence: The baby laughed. ______________ ________________ with delight, the baby laughed. Armswaving

Base sentence: David caught the ball. His ________ ___________, David caught the ball. (noun + verb phrase)

Base sentence: The tiger stalked the beast. _________ __________, the tiger stalked the beast. (noun + verb phrase)

Base sentence: The man blew fire.

Base sentence: The lady demonstrated her anger.

Base sentence: The man prepared to jump.

Base sentence: The kayakers congregated.

Base sentence: The monks crossed the river.

Base sentence: The Johnsons had dinner.

Base sentence: Joe was in the lead.

Base sentence: The car was retrieved.

Base sentence: The house was covered.

Base sentence: The President posed.

Apply It Go back to your “EW Journal and look over what you wrote. Identify two sentences that could benefit from adding absolutes. Look for sentences that do not create a clear image in your reader’s mind. Dull Sentence: I felt nervous as I walked up the steps of the diving board Improved Sentences with Absolutes: Heart pounding, knees trembling, I climbed up the steps of the diving board. After locating two sentences in your pre-write that will benefit from adding absolutes, rewrite those two sentences with absolutes. Please highlight the absolutes!

I backed up the trail to give myself space to clip my shoes into the pedals. I could hear the voices of my friends as they taunted me, telling me to hurry. My heart quickened a little as I started riding towards the bridge. I couldn’t see over the end but knew that a steep drop waited for me. I was leaning to the right but was able to correct myself before my front wheel dropped in front of me. Before I knew it, I was sweeping down the rough-hewn boards and speeding toward the connecting narrow plank bridge that was only two feet off the ground but seemed much higher. I managed to keep my balance but veered left. I pulled up just in time to drop off the side of the bridge and land safely on both wheels. My friends laughed, saying I didn’t make it. Perhaps I didn’t make it to the end, but I did something they were too chicken to even try!

Muscles tensed, hands sweating, I backed up the trail to give myself space to clip my shoes into the pedals. Heart quickening, I started riding towards the bridge. I dropped off the side of the bridge, my wheels landing solidly.

In the “Apply It” section of your worksheet, write a paragraph inspired by one of these pictures. Your description must be at least five sentences and include two absolutes. Please highlight your absolutes.

Alice Walker’s short story, Everyday Use

Imagine being a cultural anthropologist … Describe an object from home that might give insights into your family’s culture. Explain the insights. (My Notes, p. 58)

Asalamalskim Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo

Read Alice Walker’s short story Every Day Use – annotate My Notes and highlight Complete the Venn Diagram and create a claim and counterclaim – p. 67