Using Grammar EQ: How do I improve my writing through a more precise choice of nouns?

What is a noun? Person, place, thing, or idea Person, place, thing, or idea Examples: racecar driver, city, desk, communism Examples: racecar driver, city, desk, communism See P. 401 – Exercise 1. See P. 401 – Exercise 1. Which cannot be touched or discerned by senses? Which cannot be touched or discerned by senses?

Nouns Concrete/Abstract Concrete/Abstract Proper/Common Proper/Common Singular/Plural Singular/Plural Possessive Possessive Collective Collective

Abstract/Concrete Nouns Abstract = an idea; cannot be felt, heard, touched, smelled; intangible Abstract = an idea; cannot be felt, heard, touched, smelled; intangible Concrete = can be felt, touched, heard, smelled; tangible; no argument that it exists Concrete = can be felt, touched, heard, smelled; tangible; no argument that it exists See P See P. 402.

Practice: Make concrete. Love Love Anger Anger Foolishness Foolishness Wisdom Wisdom

Practice: Make specific. Boat Boat Dog Dog Person Person Child Child

PRINCIPLE #1 Always choose concrete, specific nouns when possible.

REWRITE Use more concrete, specific nouns. Use more concrete, specific nouns. “I went to the store to get some things, but it was out of most stuff. On the way back, I saw a dog who looked dangerous. He looked so crazy, I ran down the street and all the way through the place.” “I went to the store to get some things, but it was out of most stuff. On the way back, I saw a dog who looked dangerous. He looked so crazy, I ran down the street and all the way through the place.”

Abstract to Concrete Nouns: Analogy Write one paragraph with an analogy for love. Be concrete & specific. If you need, use figurative language to make it concrete. Create at least three parallels. Example: Write one paragraph with an analogy for love. Be concrete & specific. If you need, use figurative language to make it concrete. Create at least three parallels. Example: Our love is like.... Our love is like....

Abstract to Concrete Nouns: Analogy Example Our love is like a rickety old jalopy. It frequently breaks down or runs out of gas. The enamel is peeling off, and the leather seats are cracked. Some of the metal knobs are missing on the molded dashboard, as well as the handles to roll down the windows. The jalopy, like our love, has some years on it, but it will live on forever – just like the treasure in my garage will keep on rolling. Our love is like a rickety old jalopy. It frequently breaks down or runs out of gas. The enamel is peeling off, and the leather seats are cracked. Some of the metal knobs are missing on the molded dashboard, as well as the handles to roll down the windows. The jalopy, like our love, has some years on it, but it will live on forever – just like the treasure in my garage will keep on rolling.

Singular/Plural (P. 402) Singular = one Singular = one Plural = two or more (add –s usually) Plural = two or more (add –s usually) Exceptions: -es, y becomes i + es, & irregulars Exceptions: -es, y becomes i + es, & irregulars

Possessives (P. 402) Nouns that come in front of other nouns and OWN that noun (= possession) Nouns that come in front of other nouns and OWN that noun (= possession) If singular (one), add ‘s: cat’s litter box. If singular (one), add ‘s: cat’s litter box. If plural (more than one), s’ – if the s is ALREADY THERE: cats’ litter boxes. If plural (more than one), s’ – if the s is ALREADY THERE: cats’ litter boxes.

Practice: Add the apostrophe. The mother looked for the girls bookbag. The mother looked for the girls bookbag. The teacher searched for the students papers because they were expecting them back that day. The teacher searched for the students papers because they were expecting them back that day. We are going to our favorite teams game. We are going to our favorite teams game. The boys coats were hung by the door. The boys coats were hung by the door. Be able to defend your choice! Be able to defend your choice!

Proper/Common Nouns (P. 404) Proper nouns name a particular person, place, thing, or idea (a name & needs a CAPITAL LETTER) Proper nouns name a particular person, place, thing, or idea (a name & needs a CAPITAL LETTER) Examples: John, Atlanta, Eiffel Tower, Christianity Examples: John, Atlanta, Eiffel Tower, Christianity Common nouns name any person, place, thing, or idea (not a name & no capital letter) Common nouns name any person, place, thing, or idea (not a name & no capital letter) Examples: principal, town, book, love Examples: principal, town, book, love

PROPER NOUNS CAN BECOME PROPER ADJECTIVES. If they do, they retain the capital letter. Example: Italy becomes Italian. France becomes.... Spain....

Collective Nouns Singular Singular But plural!... refer to a group But plural!... refer to a group Matching verb depends on the action of the collective noun. P a Matching verb depends on the action of the collective noun. P a The jury agrees on the verdict. (It - unity) The jury agrees on the verdict. (It - unity) The jury disagree on the verdict. (They - separate) The jury disagree on the verdict. (They - separate)

Review of Nouns Be concrete. (smile instead of friendship) Be concrete. (smile instead of friendship) Be specific. (kayak instead of boat) Be specific. (kayak instead of boat) Watch possessives. (General Principle: If it ends in an s, add an apostrophe. If it does not end in an s, add ‘s.) Watch possessives. (General Principle: If it ends in an s, add an apostrophe. If it does not end in an s, add ‘s.) CAPITALIZE proper nouns & adjectives made from them. CAPITALIZE proper nouns & adjectives made from them. Be careful with collective nouns to see if they are functioning singularly or plurally, & match all verbs & pronouns. Be careful with collective nouns to see if they are functioning singularly or plurally, & match all verbs & pronouns.

Card Sort Put them into piles: Put them into piles: Concrete Concrete Proper Proper Common Common Abstract Abstract Possessive Possessive

Practice Quiz Edit the following errors with nouns. Edit the following errors with nouns. Recently I visited the louvre museum in france. Impressively, the building houses some of the greatest art in the world. The board have chosen these pieces because they are some of the most valued and priceless, although the board has disagreed on a few of the paintings. The italian sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well as Picassos abstract paintings. The pictures frames were chosen carefully as well. Recently I visited the louvre museum in france. Impressively, the building houses some of the greatest art in the world. The board have chosen these pieces because they are some of the most valued and priceless, although the board has disagreed on a few of the paintings. The italian sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well as Picassos abstract paintings. The pictures frames were chosen carefully as well.

Practice Quiz Edit the following errors with nouns. Edit the following errors with nouns. Recently I visited the Louvre Museum in France. Impressively, the building houses some of the greatest art in the world. The board has chosen these pieces because they are some of the most valued and priceless, although the board have disagreed on a few of the paintings. The Italian sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well as Picasso’s abstract paintings. The pictures’ frames were chosen carefully as well. Recently I visited the Louvre Museum in France. Impressively, the building houses some of the greatest art in the world. The board has chosen these pieces because they are some of the most valued and priceless, although the board have disagreed on a few of the paintings. The Italian sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well as Picasso’s abstract paintings. The pictures’ frames were chosen carefully as well.

Transformational Grammar: Sentence Patterns COMMON ROLES FOR NOUNS/PRONOUNS IN SENTENCES... Subject : S + V Subject : S + V Direct object: S + V + DO Direct object: S + V + DO Indirect object: S + V + IO + DO Indirect object: S + V + IO + DO Object of the preposition: S + V + P + OP Object of the preposition: S + V + P + OP Predicate nominative: S + V + PN Predicate nominative: S + V + PN

Diagramming Subjects (P. 537) Why would we diagram a sentence or learn a sentence pattern? Why would we diagram a sentence or learn a sentence pattern? Subject Verb Subject Verb

From your book, LIST 5 nouns. LABEL THE TYPE: Possessive,/singular concrete/abstract, collective, proper/common DIAGRAM THE SUBJECT AND THE VERB of 5 sentences.

EXIT TICKET: Write a story about St. Patty’s Day or Lent. Underline 5 nouns & LABEL THE TYPE OF NOUN (5).