Grammar and Composition 8 th Grade Text

Chapter #1: Capitalization  the jordan river flows south from lebanon into the dead sea.  john knox, a scottish minister, led the scots in breaking away from roman catholicism.  the student asked, “what shall we do now?”

Capitalization Rules  Capitalize names of specific persons, places, and things.  Capitalize words referring to a deity or a holy scripture.  Capitalize words from proper nouns (NASA or WYIS).  Capitalize the first word in every sentence (including quotes).  Capitalize titles of works (books, movies etc.)

What is the difference?  a theme song vs. a Theme Song  a world imports company vs. World Imports Company

Write and correct these sentences.  does mr. kingma enjoy reading the china daily?  sir francis vii cried, “what a beautiful sunset!”  on saturday, commander bryant and his men boarded the r.s.s. united battleship.

Comma Rule #1 1. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Coordinating conjunction – FANBOYS for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so Independent clause – a sentence

Examples of Comma Rule #1: I sought the Lord, and he heard me. The day was perfect, yet I still think tomorrow will be better. Write your own example of Comma Rule #1. Is this sentence correct? Why or why not? In Art class, students made the sculpture and fashioned it.

Comma Rule #2: 2. Use commas to separate items in a series. Pride, stubbornness, and unbelief lead to ruin. I saw men running rapidly, breathing heavily, and perspiring freely.

Comma Rule #3: 3. Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives. Coordinate – adjectives that are similar and could be separated by “and” Nancy seems to be a kind, considerate person.

Articles and possessive s NumberGeneralAgeColorMaterialOriginNoun thetwowretchedoldbook severalbeautifulredcottonprints Fred’sshinynewSwisscoins thelastsurvivingwoodenship Adjectives in different categories are not coordinate, so no comma is needed between them.

Comma Rule #4 4. Use a comma to avoid a misreading. After shaving my Dad usually washes his face with cold water. After shaving, my Dad usually washes his face with cold water.

A Test! Circle the coordinating conjunction. Add commas where necessary. Explain your answers. 1. Jamie and Shi Eun are bringing chips to the picnic and I am bringing Coke. 2. An interesting story will include humor conflict suspense and reality. 3. After she telephoned Aunt Karen came over to our house. 4. He did not feel well this morning but was cheerful. 5. Ten desirable cocoa brownies were sold at the bake sale.

Comma Rule #5  Add a comma to set off nonessential elements of a sentence. Mr. Smith, tired from his long trip, needed a rest. They often play tennis, a very strenuous game.

Correct this paragraph: Dear Sarah Well I guess you have been wondering when I was going to answer your last letter as it has been a long time since hearing from me. I am writing because I have a plan up my sleeve how would you like to visit me at my home this weekend. On saturday my uncle wants to take us flying in his new jet. Since I am a lover of adventure I am looking forward to it. I hope you can come Best Jenny

Semicolons and Colons  Use a semicolon between independent clauses.  Use a semicolon for clarity.  Use a colon before listed items.  Use a colon to introduce a statement or quotation.  Use a colon in a business letter.

Add the correct punctuation: 1. When Uncle James arrived to visit my mother he planned to stay for a week but after two days he caught the flu and had to go home. 2. Some good vacation spots are Yosemite National Park the Great Smoky Mountains and the Caribbean Islands. Write your own sentence using commas, semicolons, and colons.

Apostrophes: Which is correct? 1. Is that new car (yours, your’s)? 2. (Its, It’s) almost time to leave for school. 3. I hope that (your, you’re, yours) family is ready for holiday. 4. It is not wise to have too many (irons, iron’s) in the fire. 5. The award could easily be (anybodys, anybody’s) prize. 6. Don’t throw food into the many (gorillas, gorilla’s, gorillas’) cages at the zoo. 7. In the (1800’s, 1800s), no one had a computer. 8. (Jesus’, Jesus’s) name is one of the most famous in history.

Correct the sentences, and separate the subject and predicate. Its everyones responsibility to do their own work. That statement if you don’t mind me saying so was totally false, the truth is that we have class at 200 pm.